How scientists view each other

It was brought to my attention (by another post doc) that there is a very interesting, insightful and visual of how people in science see each other.  Check this out!

Image taken from DrugMonkey.  Please click to see a bigger image.

I especially like the one where technicians see themselves as Chuck Norris - strolling in and kicking practical science ass - every time and every day! Btw, Chuck can also defend your bench from nifty fingers:

Also check out 'Definitions' to see the "power" status of each member of the lab:

DEFINITIONS 

By Lawrence and Gail Bloom 

Appeared in J.I.R., December 1974 

CHAIRMAN OF DEPARTMENT 

Leaps tall buildings at a single bound 

Is more powerful than a locomotive 

Is faster than a speeding bullet 

Walks on water 

Gives policy to God 

PROFESSOR 

Leaps short buildings at a single bound 

Is more powerful than a switch engine 

Is just as fast as a speeding bullet 

Walks on water if the sea is calm 

Talks with God 

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR 

Leaps short buildings with a running start 

Is almost as powerful as a switch engine 

Is faster than a speeding BB 

Walks on water in an indoor swimming pool 

Talks with God if a special request is approved 

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR 

Barely clears a quonset hut 

Loses tug of war with locomotive 

Can fire a speeding bullet 

Swims well 

Is occasionally addressed by God 

INSTRUCTOR 

Makes high marks on wall when trying to leap buildings 

Is run over by locomotive 

Can sometimes handle gun without inflicting self-injury 

Dog paddles 

Talks to animals 

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE 

Runs into buildings 

Recognizes locomotive 2 out of 3 times 

Is not issued ammunition 

Can stay afloat with life jacket 

Talks to walls 

GRADUATE STUDENT 

Falls over doorsteps when trying to enter building 

Says, “Look at the Choo-Choo.” 

Wets himself with water pistol 

Plays in mud puddles 

Mumbles to himself 

TECHNICIAN 

Lifts buildings and walks under them 

Kicks locomotives off the track 

Catches bullets in his teeth and eats them 

Freezes water with a single glance 

Is God …

The eye of Mordor is back tomorrow.  I had better get my get hooves back on the ground and start hauling my load ;-)

'Til then!

Back up and running (kind of)

Apologies for my absence, I have been busy.  Things have been a bit heavy at work but they seem to be getting a little bit better.  For several months I have been going through what many scientists go through: frustration, loss in confidence and self doubt.  I had this towards the end of my PhD too, and it is a real killer.  Everything grinds to a halt or is super duper slow, and time and everything else seems to be against you.

It was in these couple of months though that I discovered this blog on Bench Fly.  It has this wonderful section on science and life that contains some insightful and amusing advice on how one's outlook on experiments, life and the like should be.  I am sure there are others like it out there and posts on science forums.

It goes to show that communication with those who have been through it all and having a life outside the lab is essential for dealing with the issues in this line of work.  If you are finding yourself also in a similar situation and everything is getting you down, please talk to someone or join a science forum or read blogs such as the one on Bench Fly.

Most importantly keep healthy and keep smiling.

Thanks for reading x

See: Bench Fly