Story 3MZ Forgive Me, Scientists, for I Have Sinned

Forgive Me, Scientists, for I Have Sinned

by
in science on (#3MZ)
story imageI stumbled across Science Magazine's Experimental Error column written by Adam Ruben this week. What caught my eye? Adam's latest entry entitled "Forgive Me, Scientists, for I Have Sinned" , where Adam describes numerous ways he has felt and acted in an entirely imperfect and human way, but not as he might imagine a "good scientist" is supposed to feel or behave. Highlights from the article include: (1) "I remember about 1% of the organic chemistry I learned in college. Multivariable calculus? Even less.", (2) "I have gone home at 5 p.m.", and (3) "I have felt like a fraud, not once, but with such regularity that I genuinely question whether anyone has noticed I don't belong here.... I have delusions that people will read this confession and applaud my bravery for identifying a universal fear." Adam Ruben is a molecular biologist-come-comedian who teaches a standup comedy class at Johns Hopkins University, providing a fresh take on the non-meritocracy of science careers, if nothing else.
Reply 3 comments

Three good ones (Score: 2, Interesting)

by zafiro17@pipedot.org on 2014-05-26 19:43 (#1X3)

This guy is pretty funny!
  • I like the liberal arts.
  • I have enjoyed the fruits of grade inflation.
  • I have called myself "doctor" because it sounds impressive.

Re: Three good ones (Score: 1)

by rocks@pipedot.org on 2014-05-26 20:52 (#1X8)

I really like his attempt to bring humour to the practice of science and academics.

I didn't put this in the original story, but this standup clip ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4loWSOFAZK0 ) posted on Youtube is an incredibly poignant tale of how a boy who saved insects in his house could transform to a lab associate who kills mice in the process of becoming a scientist of and about life. It strikes me that the line between humour and sadness can be very thin sometimes.

It's "cum", not "come" (Score: 1, Funny)

by Anonymous Coward on 2014-05-27 01:49 (#1X9)

So few times the little word gets a chance without a dirty meaning. Give the little guy his due.