In Bill Bryson's "A Short History of Nearly Everything," he highlights a peculiar tradition at a college where even the most senior and accomplished individuals were restricted from entering the senior common room. Instead of enjoying meals in a place reflecting their status, they were relegated to a more practical and less prestigious dining area.

This illustrates a fascinating aspect of academic culture, emphasizing that hierarchy and tradition often dictate social spaces, regardless of an individual's achievements. Bryson's commentary sheds light on how even accomplished individuals can face institutional barriers based on longstanding customs.