I 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.