tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post4475650133058227928..comments2024-03-18T20:18:04.114+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: Chargaff on a scientific careerBruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-12737391402181239412010-07-17T22:25:26.812+01:002010-07-17T22:25:26.812+01:00Re the issue of science as a career, I believe tha...Re the issue of science as a career, I believe that no one put it better than Einstein: "Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one's living at it. One should earn one's living by work of which one is sure one is capable. Only when we do not have to be accountable to anybody can we find joy in scientific endeavor".Sydnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-52261844638684993052010-07-17T22:05:08.605+01:002010-07-17T22:05:08.605+01:00When in the mood to provoke a colleague, I ask &qu...When in the mood to provoke a colleague, I ask "Would our field progress more quickly or more slowly if all our salaries were halved?" The clever ones get annoyed since the correct answer is so contrary to their self interest.<br /><br />I disagree in emphasis with Chargaff I think. It is not that the screening mechanism is worse, really. It is that the job is so much better that careerists no longer self-select out.<br /><br />The academy is a very good gig indeed. It pays well (yes, it does!). It is not particularly demanding. It affords enormous personal and professional autonomy. It carries with it absurd levels of social status. Thus, it attracts legions of careerists. It used not to because it used not to be a good gig. <br /><br />Thirty years ago, tenure decisions were not made by counting up publications; evaluating a career could not be done with a cv and a calculator. These changes were demanded by the careerists. "Tell me, specifically, what I must do to get tenure. Tell me, specifically, what I must do to publish papers. To get grants. To get my PhD. Etc." I write this all down to rising salaries, prestige, and access to power. This attracts dutiful, personable, drudges who want a way to turn hard work and social skills reliably into successful careers.<br /><br />I am constantly amazed at the delightful frission one feels at meeting someone who is actually interested in ideas and in getting ideas right, rather than in publication-counting and keeping score in academic politics.Billnoreply@blogger.com