EN World scientists...

[Dr. Harry]

... show yourselves!

So, who else?

I'm an astronomer in disguise as a physicist.

 

[Ycore Rixle]

BA in physics, teach physics in high school, so not really a scientist myself. But I hope I'm helping to guide a bunch of future scientists.

And, wow, physics seems to be the science of choice here.

 

[freyar]

And, wow, physics seems to be the science of choice here.

Yeah, interesting considering I'd expect there to be many more bio people in the general population.

Here's a question for those in academic settings (others, feel free to chime in, too!): I often feel like I need to hide that I have a hobby -- not that there's a prejudice against RPGs per se, just that I get the feeling that I'm expected to live 110% for my work. Anyone else ever feel that way?

 

[Steve Jung]

Just looked up your papers on SPIRES (you have some interference from another Bolen who's on a big collaboration, though). Didn't think most of those papers looked too loopy; you mostly work with just higher curvature corrections, right? You'd fit in ok with the string theory crowd probably.

You're looking up our papers? Lemme explain, I was young, I needed the publications for school.

 

[freyar]

You're looking up our papers? Lemme explain, I was young, I needed the publications for school.

Nah, only bolen's because we're practically in the same field and he mentioned them.

 

[Umbran]

Do social scientists count? (hides)

So long as you treat it as real science, yes.

Contrary to popular opinion, "hard" science does not refer to difficulty, but to the physicality. A "hard" science has physical objects and results you can point to. "Soft" sciences are not easy - their targets simply aren't as concrete.

 

[abri]

Well, I'm a French engineer (diploma in material science and engineering and another in applied mathematics) that decided to become a researcher. So now after getting a PhD (materials science)in the US, I'm doing research in a michigan small start up.
Research is fun

 

[Pbartender]

Well, I'm a French engineer...

"Heaven is an English policeman, a French cook, a German engineer, an Italian lover and everything organized by the Swiss. Hell is an English cook, a French engineer, a German policeman, a Swiss lover, and everything organized by the Italians."
- John Elliot

 

[Achan hiArusa]

For those still studying physics: Get out now!

I did and went to Space and Planetary Sciences out of fear of the physics candidacy. Biggest mistake of my life. At least the physics candidacy was a) objective and b) gave you a second chance.

I'm an astronomer in disguise as a physicist.

Yay! I'm not alone.

And, wow, physics seems to be the science of choice here.

It may have to do with the comfort with complex rules systems. After having to go through Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics the corebooks just don't seem that involved. I've used Riemann Zeta functions to analyze gun damage in Masque of the Red Death before (good Lord I'm a nerd).

Here's a question for those in academic settings (others, feel free to chime in, too!): I often feel like I need to hide that I have a hobby -- not that there's a prejudice against RPGs per se, just that I get the feeling that I'm expected to live 110% for my work. Anyone else ever feel that way?

Well, I the other physics grad students thought I was a geek for being a D&D player and the other D&D players thought I was a geek for being a physics grad student. Made them feel better and a bit uncomfortable not being the geekiest person in the room.

Then again, I had a program director in Space and Planetary who got upset if you even hinted at having a life outside the lab. He hated the fact that I had a lot of friends outside of the program and that I just didn't click with the rest of the grad students in the program (except for my then girlfriend who was also a gamer and an Aspie which was part of problem with the rest of the grad students). He really encouraged us to form friendships with each other and that the only outside ones we should have were ones that were "useful." We were supposed to have a personal life only when he wanted us to and that was only for his parties and the field trips. Part of the reason getting into that program was a mistake.

 

[Pbartender]

I often feel like I need to hide that I have a hobby -- not that there's a prejudice against RPGs per se, just that I get the feeling that I'm expected to live 110% for my work. Anyone else ever feel that way?

Nope, never...

It's the #1 reason I chose to not go to grad school, despite the assumption from friends, family and professors that I would. I don't want to live 110% for my work, and I never want a job in which I'm expected to. That sort of ambition simply isn't in me.