Sometimes while reading a paper I find myself brushing aside a concept or an idea that I feel is unimportant. Often I am right (it needs to be said, some people just have weird ideas). Occasionally however - usually several years down the road after an idea is proven to be right - I find that the writer simply had an insight that my brain was not ready for at that time.
So before you pooh-pooh an idea while reading a paper, ask yourself - "Is the information not important for you, or are you not ready for it?"
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Though it may surprise some, PI's (Principal Investigators) are people too, and hence come in a variety of flavors. Here are some phenotypes that I have noted. I have no doubt I am one (or more) of them. (**NEW additions on: 3/2014, 5/2014, 5/2015)
The Cowboy PI - Offers bold predictions in his papers, goes WAY beyond what the data actually show. The Pinhead PI - Knows only one technique. Chooses scientific questions answerable by that technique, ignoring all else. The Barista - Super-nice to everyone, but really has nothing much to say. I am always amazed at how almost every table-thumping, "has-to-be-right" idea that I have is proven wrong in the end. However when you think about it, evolution has had millions of years to work out the details but you only have what...two, three years tops to figure it out?
I think most people (scientists and non-scientists alike) fail to understand that the "superstar status" of a scientist has little to do with the significance of what his lab discovers. Experiments done in the boondocks by unknown Joe's have been changing the world for centuries...
All this Bru-ha-ha over the "impact factor" business, and a simple fact is missed. Unless there is a SINGLE logical alternative to the all-pervasive impact factor, it can never be replaced...even if there is a document with "200 signatures of working scientists" on it. Its like replacing the US gallon. Come on scientists, think harder....
The clarity of your words on the paper is directly proportional to the clarity of the thoughts in your head.
Just like great Rock music, great Science needs Dissatisfaction, Dissent, and Rebellion.
..consider these words "Warburg [his mentor] did not think I had sufficient ability for a successful research career ..... I came to the conclusions that my talents were quite mediocre. It was only my keen interest that drove me to keep trying for a position which would give me scope for research."
These are the words of Hans Krebs, the man who discovered how food is converted to energy (Kreb's Cycle - a mechanism conserved in every living organism on earth, 1953 Nobel prize).
OK here's a quick insight from writing papers. If a concept is clear in your mind, never ever use a complicated word, when you can use a simpler one. But hey if something is not clear to you (or anyone else for that matter), try using a very obscure word that was only common during the 16th century. The results can sometimes be gratifying (as opposed to good of course)...try it!
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Some old ones Reposted...8/18/13 - A Classification of PI's - find yours' in the list!
7/6/12 - Way to a "Science paper" 5/30/11 - 20/20 Hindsights 9/30/11 - Evolution of a bizzare, new Idea 11/17/2011 - Rationale for curiosty-driven research... lessons from a 4 year old 1/28/12 - "GTFM" - hilarious article on grant writing! The PI BlogThis blog exists because my wife seemed a bit tired of being the only recipient of my random pontifications on life and Science for many years; and gently encouraged me to vent in a blog instead. From time to time, I put down thoughts that occur to me as I naiively stumble through a life in Science - bestowed upon me by accident (literally!). Please keep in mind that these musings are rather obvious things of little or no use to anyone, and are certainly not personally targeted in any way, even though they are obviously derived from my experiences. OK, enough said. Archives
December 2020
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