tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522311.post2753184800438290473..comments2024-03-12T03:23:42.976-04:00Comments on NeuroDojo: Are scientists lonely?Zen Faulkeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07811309183398223358noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522311.post-74285476615034532232010-05-20T09:03:50.755-04:002010-05-20T09:03:50.755-04:00One of the big reasons why I wont pursue research ...One of the big reasons why I wont pursue research any further ( currently I am an MPhil student who cant wait to finish) .. There are far better (in my opinion anyway) science related jobs .. Science communication/ journo/ PR which arent so isolating, flexible, interdiscliplinary and MORE FUN!<br /><br />But then again,, do what you LOVE and youll automatically love what you do, even if its a tad isolating..hmul012https://www.blogger.com/profile/11604175496452033432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522311.post-40042108646019699002010-05-20T08:58:31.078-04:002010-05-20T08:58:31.078-04:00I think I agree with a lot of this post, but talki...I think I agree with a lot of this post, but talking it over with Mr. S last night raised some interesting points as well. First off, he mentioned that it seems like we spend a lot of our days alone at the bench or at the computer screen, and we DO, but that's not all that different from other professions. Additionally, other professions will often get shunted around, moved to other locations, willy nilly, and I am very sure their significant others are not accounted for in that any more in academia. <br /><br />Where I think science differs is the problem of the "more, more, more" that you mentioned. You can always do more, and academia both explicitly and implicitly encourages ridiculous working hours and a total lack of work/life balance. I also think academia differs in the expectation that you will move, and I mean MOVE every 4-6 years to pursue the next aspect of your career.<br /><br />I also wonder, though, if science doesn't attract people who are more likely to end up a little lonely. Science is more than a career for most people, it's a passion, and it's very hard for people outside of science to understand the drive to work ridiculous hours and the need to always do more. And that, plus the institutionalization of overachievement may contribute a great deal of loneliness.scicurioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13266347710629871510noreply@blogger.com