Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Researcher who finds


This morning I had to stop and meditate in front of a regional government add showing what great stuff they have been doing (in a desperate attempt to restart the economy - nothing to do with the current crisis, but a long lasting effort to end a lingering post-mining and steal industry gloom).

A big picture shows two scientists looking smilingly and in awe at various lab containers, filled with suspicious bright blue smoking liquids. Speak of an irritating stereotype to start with.

But then these two apparently real scientists have their name put on the picture with under it 3 words describing them.

One of them is "Researcher who finds".

Huh? As opposed to all those slackers who don't?

Don't get me wrong, I'm perferctly happy to believe that this person has made significant discoveries and progress in some field but I can't help but feel perplexed in front of such wording.

Is there something really bizarre that actually implies that some researchers don't find and that it makes them *bad* researchers? And I mean by that, reinforcing potentially negative images of researcher who don't spend their time mixing bright blue smoking stuff in a lab? (I spend most of my time in front of a computer). Researcher who finds?

The French general De Gaulle is supposed to have said "We don't need researchers, we need finders" (or something like that)... this is in the same vein I suppose.

Or maybe I just need to get a life.
EDIT - with the picture, tiny and somewhat blurred (to hide language!)

Monday, 13 April 2009

Bloggers meet up


So maybe you've heard it already, hypoglycemiagirl and I met last week in Stockholm, and had an excellent evening.


Beverages from various parts of Europe we thread on were consumed and we enjoyed the scenery of the Vasa (or "yes humans are really stupid sometimes and that ends up being cool museums". Don't miss it if you're in the area) as well as the old city.

It was sort of weird, to have the digital world become real, and I felt a bit shy... but it was a great experience that I'd definitely repeat should the opportunity arise! It really fueled my motivation for the whole blogging thing. Hey! These people are real and nice in real life too!

And of course I'll join hgg in sending a shout out to unbalanced reaction. Will you blush again? I'll join you!