A cynic might suggest that entire academic disciplines fall into it: existing with no apparent value to the world, with academics nevertheless competing furiously for status based on their braininess.

一个愤世嫉俗的人可能会认为整个学术学科都陷入其中：对世界没有明显价值的存在，学者们仍然根据他们的聪明才智激烈地争夺地位。

She says that, in the past, the czars and, indeed, the leaders of the Soviet Union didn't hesitate to resort to draconian measures to shore up the apparent value of the ruble.

她说，过去，沙皇乃至苏联领导人都毫不犹豫地采取严厉措施来支撑卢布的表面价值。