Why We're Failing in Math and Science

Re:Why We're Failing in Math and Science by albertcardona on Friday August 15, 2008 @02:40PM (#277202)

The article is very fun to read, despite the sad contents.

But it misses one big point: the image of a scientist. When I reply to "what do you do for a living?" and I say "I'm a neuroscientist", people smile condescendingly and pat me on the back. Because I'm not a lawyer, medical doctor or businessman (i.e. in my way to big money) and thus I can only be either stupid or a fool.

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Re:Why We're Failing in Math and Science by menloparkbum on Friday August 15, 2008 @03:59PM (#277286)

This is a neurosis that scientists hold, not really what people are thinking. Most people have no idea how much money a scientist is or isn't making.

It is a valid neurosis, though. Even 20-25 years ago, a scientist wasn't that bad off, economically. My uncle made enough money to buy a house in the Bay Area as a microbiologist at a government lab. Nowadays there is no way someone in the same position could buy a house in the same area. Even renting your own apartment would be painful. The salary has remained the same, whereas life has gotten much more expensive.

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Re:Why We're Failing in Math and Science by felideon on Friday August 15, 2008 @03:27PM (#277244)

That's interesting. If I ever met any kind of scientist I'd be like "Wow, that's so cool," and ask questions about what you're researching, etc.

A part of me always wanted to be a scientist. Hopefully I'll start a (programming) project to help in scientific research one day.

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Re:Why We're Failing in Math and Science by xiaoma on Friday August 15, 2008 @04:38PM (#277340)

That's interesting. If I ever met any kind of scientist I'd be like "Wow, that's so cool," and ask questions about what you're researching, etc.

Are you a cop?

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Re:Why We're Failing in Math and Science by xiaoma on Saturday August 16, 2008 @07:13AM (#277684)

The article was about police who were suspicious of science and scientists doing experiments in home labs.

My question about whether felideon (the commenter who said he/she would like say "wow that's so cool" upon meeting a scientist was a cop or not was a serious question. We could use more police with a science-friendly attitude.

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Re:Why We're Failing in Math and Science by mynameishere on Friday August 15, 2008 @03:48PM (#277275)

Sounds like you're misinterpreting people. Typical aspergers case maybe. People are probably either disbelieving you or are impressed enough to feel awkward.

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Re:Why We're Failing in Math and Science by albertcardona on Friday August 15, 2008 @06:23PM (#277423)

I bet a bigger part of the answer is that I live in an environment where becoming rich is the only measure of success. That is West Los Angeles.

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