Martin Fenner suggested that the NN bloggers write about their blogs and why we do it. So here’s my bit.
1. What is your blog about?
I am trying to put the people behind the science into the spotlight: the technicians, operational support, science management and others. In the case of scientists, I want to show what drives them to do their research. I am hoping that telling people’s stories might allow others to relate on a more personal level to science topics and the doing of research.
2. What will you never write about?
The release of calcium from intracellular stores.
3. Have you ever considered leaving science?
I left active research somewhat involuntarily right after finishing my PhD. Life changed, continents changed, family circumstances changed. I tried hard for a while to get back into it, applying for grants – but started to run out of steam doing that besides having a demanding full-time job and running a family. I recently moved into science publishing, which suits me well. I also have a boss who gives me a lot of freedom, which I very much appreciate.
4. What would you do instead?
See above. Not being in science may actually have forced me to use skills I might have otherwise neglected. Correction: was neglecting, but am now beginning to revive. On the other hand, looking back at doing science now there were quite a few things that I was good at that were a complete surprise.. like staring down a microscope for entire days (while sitting in a temperature-controlled room set around freezing), or assembling and deploying massive sediment sampling equipment off research vessels. Oh, and driving a Zodiac in 35 knot winds.
5. What do you think will science blogging be like in 5 years?
I don’t know. I’ve seen the suggestion that something like Twitter might replace science blogging (science twittering? hmm..). If this should become popular, I don’t think it would replace science blogging: many people (myself included) appreciate having a little more time to digest a topic than twittering allows.. and I think especially for science blogging, it is important to have time for that thoughtfulness/thoroughness.
6. What is the most extraordinary thing that happened to you because of blogging?
I’m finding out about a bunch of people that I can relate to: they’re strange. The other cool thing is that my blog is actually being read!
7. Did you write a blog post or comment you later regretted?
Not yet (quite), although I’ve written a couple of comments I might have skipped if I had thought a bit longer about it. I will try to avoid real embarrassment..
8. When did you first learn about science blogging?
I really don’t know – I’ve known about it for a long time, but only this year started thinking it’s something I’d like to do. But I still had to overcome my blogging ‘inhibitions’..
9. What do your colleagues at work say about your blogging?
I think those who read it like it. Nobody has complained yet.
I will pass on the poem, since I have a feeling that any attempt might turn into a post I would later regret (see #7).
3. Have you ever considered leaving science?
I now realise that many people think science = actively doing research. I would define science in a broader sense, and that would definetely include scientific publishing.
Thanks Martin – yes, Eva addressed that in her contribution, too. I would agree, of course!
Glad that you will never write about calcium and intracellular stores! I struggle enough with trying to understand that in my “day job”!
I think your answer to (1) is fantastic, I admire you for doing this. It is a very interesting and worthy mission for a blog, and takes quite a bit more effort than writing a one-liner, joke post (though I hope you might do that one a few occasions!).
I think it is jolly hard to juggle so many aspects of life when one has very young children in particular, but even when they are older they still need you at the drop of a hat sometimes. This is one reason why blogging is so perfect for busy people: even though it may take a while to write a thoughtful post, it can be done relatively quickly “in between the gaps” of other things – and as you point out the commenting is also something that can be done in spare bits of time.
I think you have hit on a good point about embarrassing comments – I think the most embarrassing things I’ve written and regretted have been in comments. Usually late at night when I am tired.
Thanks Maxine! We’ll see how I do with my blog goal. You’re definitely putting the pressure on :)
Yes, the embarrassing comments definitely would happen when tired. I think it can be a very creative state of mind, but one’s ‘mental/intellectual defenses’ (not sure what else to call it) are down, too…
I also realized, after reading some of the other ‘martinmemes’, that I seem to have said a few things others say they would ‘never blog about’. I’m still ok with it, just interested in the different attitudes!
like staring down a microscope for entire days (while sitting in a temperature-controlled room set around freezing), or assembling and deploying massive sediment sampling equipment off research vessels. Oh, and driving a Zodiac in 35 knot winds
To a bench scientist who works in comfortable, indoor temperature conditions, and who lives in a warm climate, these seem like very impressive achievements! We complain to facilities management if the air conditioning gets out of whack, and the lab temperature drops to a chilly 68F (it would never cool off this much just from the ambient temperature outdoors, because the large equipment at least generates heat). A cold front blew through here last night; so early this morning, when it was 50F and very windy, I started preparing for CISB ’09 by standing on my back porch in a short-sleeved T-shirt and thin pajama pants, with bare feet. My dog was thrilled by the cooler weather, so she made me stand outdoors longer too.
“I am hoping that telling people’s stories might allow others to relate on a more personal level to science topics and the doing of research.”
A noble goal, Steffi. Telling your own story (in an admittedly abbreviated way) has contributed to attaining it.
I want to read up more on the release of calcium from intracellular stores now, since everyone is quite so down on it… ;-)
Kristi – impressive to some, just ‘weird’ to others, I guess :)
I really hope I can make it to CISB’09, but have to wait just three more weeks to discuss that properly family-side. I hope Henry will still have spaces open then! If we come, it will be the entire family, armed with wellies and all.
Heather – the release of calcium from intracellular stores: yes, I was planning on doing some homework on that, too. Henry’s subliminal messaging is working…
What do you think science blogging will be like in five years?
Perhaps working in Antarctica are times that will be remembered for a lifetime, though I suppose one’s daily routine in the lab eventually becomes as mundane as washing the dishes, ironing and the laundry tasks of the housewife, or for a guy turning wrenches and repairing transmissions, the hands are smeared greasy at the end of everyday, and each day is just like any other day, and the same old same old. I would like the science crowd to get involved and somehow bring back more science in media, like Star Trek episondes on television. Remember Time Tunnel, Lost in Space, Fantastic Voyage, Outer Limits and Twilight Zone? Quality contemporary science talk and thought in the entertainment media is on the decline. The Sixties were great for alot of scientific entertainment kind of stuff. Not alot of good science fiction, though someday soon I’ll be throwing my two cents in. :)
Hey Kurt, ironing and the laundry tasks of the housewife – do you do your own laundry?
Actually, there are a lot of ‘everyday routine activities’ that have to be done on the research stations in the Antarctic. At the small (48 people max) Palmer Station, everyone has to chip in with housekeeping, at McMurdo there’s janitorial and galley staff, and people who collect the trash. Outside of the stations nothing ever gets routine.
Concerning science in the entertainment media, you might be interested in Jennifer Rohn’s recently published book (check out her recent post, and the many discussions here on NN about the subject).
Er, I am reacting strongly against those comments about the “tasks of the housewife”, and I am sure the odd woman has been known to occasionally take up a task or even, heaven forbid, a career as a mechanic.
But I’ll restrain myself. Kurt, if you return, please would you mind being a little more gender-neutral, these kinds of comments about appropriation of tasks might be seen as insulting, patronising or inappropriate assumptions by many NN users, male and female.
Definitely.
What century are you living in, Mr Hanson?
IRONING TASKS OF THE HOUSEWIFE.
Common, mundane activity is a vulgar obscentity and a disgusting thought?
I’ll suggest that the three of you stop drinking coffee. No more caffeinated beverages. Maybe a large cup of prune juice daily, or a warm morning enema for the next three or four days will bring relief to your minds. What a sensitive bunch I’ve found.
Soccer Moms and the men who love them would find offense reading such denigrating thoughts and comments from the three of you. All three of you should be ashamed of yourselves.
I’m going to modify the last sentence of the previous post. It should read: Especially Dick and Maxine, the both of you should be ashamed of yourselves.
steffi went off on a tangent, but quickly recovered. Dick and Maxine remain offbase and condescending.
Ashamed? For calling you out?
You, sir, sound like a sexist dullard. Convince us otherwise.
On second thoughts don’t bother. You’re that Mergatroid loony.
Wow, here I am, not checking this for 24 hours, and where does it go.
Kurt, I am 100% with Maxine and Richard, I was just trying to be… I don’t know, maybe nice, hoping that you would recover from your remarks; maybe hoping you hadn’t thought it through or weren’t serious. See how naive I am.
I agree with Richard though, we don’t have to take this any further, it seems that would be quite pointless!
All posts are marked “Saved As…”
A mathematical, Cartesian relationship linking all biological life to a Creative entity brings the pedantic Richard Grant to childish name calling. It must be humiliating for someone of your caliber to be upped by the likes of someone such as myself, though. Good luck with all other keen insights and brilliant deductions in life, regardless, pal.
Lead, follow or get out of the way. I’m proud to motivate a generation for invention of the greatest “thing” human mind and hand will ever put together.
FYI, Murgatroyd is the preferred spelling.
Weep, or eat your heart out.
laugh
Brilliant. You should be on the telly.
Nope, not me.
Apparently, Mergatroid is an acceptable alternative spelling. Anyway, I’m not following this anymore! Kurt, please go have this discussion on your own blog or somewhere else.
OK.
Kurt your ‘sitcom’ was rather tasteless. And your comments prior comments didn’t seem to make a lot of sense. The main aim here is for constructive, respectful engagement. There’s plenty of humour and banter too but that’s best judged once you get to know people.
I find that statement by Kurt offensive and have asked for it to be removed.
From the general tenor of Kurt’s remarks in this thread I cannot see any value of him being on NN from users’ point of view, although he’s obviously enjoying it.
I’d go with idiotic, rather than offensive, myself ;)
Yes, well, maybe- but you are not the subject of it.
The comment Ironing tasks of the housewife are idiotic I suppose too, Ms. Ennis? And tasteless I suppose to Mr. Curry? And the response to that comment was peachy-keen? What a bunch of intellectual snots. I think a few minds at NN should stay on technical verbiage, like calcium channels. You’ll stay focused on the train of thought longer. Maxine’s comment towards housewife’s denigrate’s millions and that’s hunky-dory but everyone recognizes and then bonds in sympathy for offensive sexual inuendo. Prissy bunch, indeed at NN.
Boo! Ironing tasks of the housewife. Boo! And definitely cut back on the coffee; consider getting into the habit of enema’s, to relieve the stress or whatever it is affecting judgement calls.
Every post I write is saved.
The comment Ironing tasks of the housewife are idiotic I suppose too, Ms. Ennis?
Yes. And it’s Dr. Ennis to you.
Household chores are not just for women. And wrenches are not just for men. That is the problem that we are all seeing with your comment.
Clever obfuscation. Deliberately misinterpreting.
“The esteemed Dr. Ennis congratulates the gracious Maxine Clarke for her denigrating comments towards millions of housewives in a post to Kurt L Hanson at NN.”
Mr. Curry, perhaps you would also agree with the sentiments of these two fine individuals?
Kurt, your patronising tone and insulting or nonsensical content are out of place here. If it’s intended as humour, I don’t hear anyone laughing.
if you can’t be constructive or respectful, please dis-engage.
Sure, change the subject. No one cares about admonishing the Doctors denigrating comments. They are doctors, after all. Just go and slap an idiot for fun, when the chance presents itself.
:)
He’s not a celebrity, but get him out of here; someone at Nature Network, please remove this irritant!
Kurt L Hanson is a misogynist redneck. There is little else to say. Except that Steffi, I’m sorry this had to happen in your salon.
LOL – and we’re misinterpreting?
Sorry, Steffi, I know you said you’re not following this any more, so I’ll stop the off-topic commenting now.
Did someone say something about an echo?
(I really will stop now)
Please consider this comment thread closed. I will remove any and all comments added after this one. Thanks.