Recent replies to "I'm doing Science because.."

Reply from Chaitanya Saxena

Chaitanya Saxena — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:36:32 -0000

Because I can not let my thought processes go random but inherently I want to put them in a order to see what comes out and this process in present society is called as ‘doing science’ and hence I am doing science.

Reply from Gajendra Raghava

Gajendra Raghava — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:35:00 -0000

I have mix feeling of many things. Initially when I came in science by accident, after my first publication I got feeling of recognition and direction to my life. I though if I die my scientific contribution will be their in literature. Slowly, I start to solve biological problems during this time I learn more and more about my body. My continuos increasing knowledge about biological system give me lot pleasure. Over the time my work (database/server) become very popular and I got another satisfaction that I am contributing to society. So for me science is my diet wher it give my lot of happiness in various ways. I feel am leaving complete life as science give my lot of mental satisfaction.

Reply from Nirupam Roy

Nirupam Roy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:55:09 -0000

I am a Ph.D. student of astronomy and astrophysics. I found this question in the topic really interesting, more interesting are the reactions and the answers. I happen to work in a brach of science that can not bring any immediate social change and betterment of mankind. And the first thing I learned is that the cosmos is so vast and so full of wonders that personal achievement has no significance. So, then, what is it that works as a driving force? I feel it is the Wanderlust, the strong desire to explore (in group or alone), that has always been there behind the progress of science. It does not really matter, I think, who first realized the Special Theory of Relativity or whether the theory has any contribution to the betterment of the society. It does not even matter even if I, as an individual, do not understand all these theories to the proper extent. Whether it was Einstein alone who formulated the theory or if Lorentz and Poincare also had significant contribution may be of interest for a student of history of science. But for me, I am proud that we know part of the secret of Nature and we are exploring for more. Nature, thus, reveals her secrets to us and when I am ”doing science”, I feel that that I am also part of this adventure, a small crew member but quite involved rather than being a mere spectator.

Reply from anonymous

anonymous — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:09:44 -0000

Science is by and large driven by ego. I am in science is to satisfy my ego.

Reply from Prashanth Bhat Kainthaje

Prashanth Bhat Kainthaje — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:11:38 -0000

i haven’t become a scientish yet. i am now pursuing my undergraduate course in medicine. but my likes are in oure research in basic medial sciences. i am looking forward foward to hands on experience in my field. But surely i will become a scientist at leat in may be another 7 years.

Reply from ashutosh srivastava

ashutosh srivastava — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:27:46 -0000

although i am not a scientist yet but hope to be one someday . what drives me towards science over all (almost)things in life is to understand the underlying order in this seemingly random world around us , be it at cellular level or universal level and i think science is the only way to understand it.

Reply from Subhra Priyadarshini

Subhra Priyadarshini — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:08:27 -0000

Erik, that’s fascinating!
We would love to hear more about aesthetics in science, which you claim to be relatively new to. And this strange connect between the arts and science…how interesting! What brought about this change in the philosopher in you?

Reply from erik benson

erik benson — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:49:51 -0000

To be honest, I am relatively new to the Scientific perspective. I reached science; specifically Geology, Biology, and Chemistry by way of Philosophy and the Arts. I believe there to be an aesthetic balance within all scientific disciplines of work (rock formations, plant structures and cycles, chemical geometry, etc.).

Though I hold no degrees or professional schooling (working on the funding to go to school for Agronomy), I believe the knowledge/disciplines contained within science to be a part of a great tapestry of the microcosmic perspective. I think it is vital to see connections in the world we live to have a greater understanding. I think Subrah’s “all things beautiful” comment sums it up better and more concise :) Namaste to all my fellow searchers.

Reply from Subhra Priyadarshini

Subhra Priyadarshini — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:56:30 -0000

Welcome, Sanjiv! Here is to the immortality of all things beautiful.

Reply from Sanjiv Kumar

Sanjiv Kumar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:49:39 -0000

I agree with the opinion of Prasad P, its the thrill of knowing something a lot before world does. I am a die hard fan of Sci-Fi movies too, this may sound funny but I remember a scene in the movie Godzilla, where is our hero is the first one to find that the Godzilla is pregnant, the thrill he gets. Moreover another driving force is the fact that many people will die without even seeing or knowing few of the beautiful images and facts that we sometime see. I really feel a lot good and eternally satisfied whenever I happen to see or know such things. I think that’s driving me to be in this field against all odds.

Reply from Subhra Priyadarshini

Subhra Priyadarshini — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:50:32 -0000

Immenesely possible, Amit. And Prasad, this is exactly what I call the thrill of cracking the code. Keep up the good work.

Reply from Prasad P

Prasad P — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:53:16 -0000

One of the things that keeps me in science is the joy in finding the answers before anyone knows it. Sometimes during late hours, when I get some great results, I know then that I am the only one at that time who knows the answer. It’s a thrill!

Reply from Amit Mandal

Amit Mandal — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:39:24 -0000

Hats off to you! And I thought doing full time research was harder than being professional juggler. Well, now I can think of stretching my capabilities because it seems possible now.

Reply from Subhra Priyadarshini

Subhra Priyadarshini — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:24:15 -0000

By that standard, I must begin to ask myself why I am doing science and journalism together! The deadly cocktail means you miss out on all (not most) joys of life! On a serious note, most scientist I have met say they are into science because of the sheer thrill of cracking the code. In other words, societal goals are obvisouly the end, but personal achievements also figure high. Just like your deciphering the mechanism of a genetic disease. Or my breaking that story so that the world benefits from your path-breaking research!