In a recent post Stephen Curry discussed making his research more accessible to the public through the use of short fiction. This struck me as a great idea but considering recent discussion on NN regarding the musical prowess of our bloggers, I thought we should have a go at using music to convey how science works to the population at large. As befits my great age I have chosen the example of Prog/Glam rock as my vehicle and with due deference and many apologies to Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music, here is REJECT AGAIN
Reject Again
Give me the cash and make it straight
All signed and sealed, I´ll take it
To my HOD I´ll show it
I hope and pray he don´t blow it ´cause
We´ve been around a long time just try try try tryin´ to
Get this big grant…
Research is a roller coaster
Science is a thrilling ride
It may be a six days wonder but don´t you
Don´t you throw my pride aside besides
What´s real and make believe
Conference in Acapulco we are flyin´ down to Rio
Throw me a line I´m sinking fast
Clutching at straws can´t make it
Harvard bound we’re striving hard edge the work is trying
Call for papers down the dust bin
You´re so sheer you´re so chic
Hard data is what we seek
Flavours of the latest cell-line
Midnight blue department floors
Write proposals through till sunrise
Open up exclusive doors oh wow!
The Nature papers look the same
So me and you, just we two got to search for something new
Far beyond the pale horizon
Some place near the promised land
Where my great ideas takes me
That´s where I´ll make my stand but wait
Can´t you see that image plane?
What´s the game reject again
If you would like to sing along…
LOL! That’s some ur-Roxy Music, too.
The current funding situation makes me think of the David Bowie/Queen collaboration Under Pressure, so here are a few lines that I’ve modified accordingly:
Pressure, pushing down on me
Pressing down on you, no grants no more
Under pressure, that tears a lab apart
Splits up an institute
Puts scientists out
That SRA
It’s the terror of knowing
What funding is about
Watching some good grants
Triaged from without
Pray my score gets better
Pressure on PIs, PIs on streets
Singalong below, with two of my favorite performers EVAH, David Bowie and Freddie Mercury.
Way to go Brian and Kristi – very creative! However, I’m afraid you won’t find me singing my summaries – that way lies a talentless void…