Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted)

I hate to publish online quizzes on a more or less daily basis for you all, dear readers, instead of writing material with more substance, but right now, this is the best I can do. By posting these quizzes, I am trying to let you know that I have not abandoned you, that even though I am quiet right now, I am here, that your comments mean more to me than you probably know, and I try to respond to your comments in email.

However, that said, I daily debate with myself about whether I should provide more detail to you regarding why I cannot post here at my typically frequent level. There are people behind-the-scenes who encourage me to write about my private experiences on this blog, who say that by doing so, I would be helping some of you or your friends out there who might currently be in the same predicament as I or who might face a similar situation in the future. On the other hand, there are other people behind-the-scenes who caution me not to write about my experiences because doing so could permanently damage any future career prospects I ever thought I might have. So there are powerful and practical arguments made by both sides. Basically, the situation boils down to whether I am comfortable with writing about the current state of my life in such a public place, such as this blog (I am), and whether I can somehow survive the likely consequences of my honesty (this .. I am not sure about).

Anyway, while I wrestle with this complex issue, I have another quiz that you might enjoy that is below the fold. As always, feel free to comment on the quiz questions here so I and the other readers can share their impressions and their results here.

You Are 4: The Individualist

You are sensitive and intuitive, with others and yourself.

You are creative and dreamy… plus dramatic and unpredictable.

You’re emotionally honest, real, and easily hurt.

Totally expressive, others always know exactly how you feel.

What Number Are You?

There were many questions where more than one answer was easily applicable to me, so I don’t have much confidence in this result for that reason. If I could choose which number to be, well, I would choose my favorite number (less than ten): 7.

Comments

#1 Lab Cat
September 27, 2006

No 7: Enthusiast

You are outgoing and playful – always seeing the happy side to life.
You’re enthusiastic and excitable. You love anything new.
Multi-talented, you do many things well… and find success easy.
You prefer to keep things light with others. Opening up is hard for you.

—

Which does pretty much sum me up, except for finding success easy!
I am an annoying optimist.

I hope everything is ok and getting better.

Cat
#2 Peter
September 27, 2006

***You Are 5: The Investigator***

You’re independent – and a logical analytical thinker.
You love learning and ideas… and know things no one else does.
Bored by small talk, you refuse to participate in boring conversations.
You are open minded. A visionary. You understand the world and may change it.

For this quiz, more than most, I really wanted to mark several answers for some of the questions.

Glad you’re starting to post again. Hope your recovery continues and accelerates!
#3 biosparite
September 27, 2006

Number 5. Fits. I have a curiosity most ‘satiable.
#4 gladio
September 27, 2006

I wish there was anything we could say or do to convince you of just how important seeing you in the blogosphere is to all of us. Just take your time and take good care of yourself; although I personally miss your bird posts so much, it pains me so much more to feel that you are hurting.
#5 DRR
September 27, 2006

I have been reading your blog for a while, but I haven’t posted before (“long-time reader, first-time poster”, as they say). I just wanted to say that I understand the debate about how open we can be on-line. Regardless of your situation and your eventual decision, I hope that we don’t lose you and your posts.
#6 parrotslave
September 27, 2006

Hedwig, even though we have never met, I have you to thank for one of the greatest joys in my life. Without your efforts to educate others about lories, I doubt I would have brought such a playful bundle of joy into my life so successfully. You have made the world a better place by being here. Thank you.
#7 Alon Levy
September 27, 2006

Hedwig, do what you want to do… if you honestly think writing about your recent experiences will hurt you, don’t do it just to please us. You don’t owe us that; all we’ve done is read your blog, and occasionally comment or send you an email.

By the way, I’m 4… but I’d rather be e.
#8 Certhia
September 27, 2006

OK, I’m 5, the investigator–logical etc. And thinking about you, and hoping that the interest and compassion your readers are truly feeling for you does not seem like we’re pushing for more than you should be sharing of your personal situation in the World’s Most Public Place… But know that I (and likely others) are “holding you in the light” for recovery, or lifting of fog, or cells to mend, or whatever… I’m 63, which means that the entry level for women into science had some mighty prejudicial layers to get through in the ’60′s–my college yrs–I never made it to the “real” level, despite teaching environmental ed; editing some science writing, etc… which is another reason that I cheer you and the other women who plunged through into being real scientists… So, be good to yourself as you work your way back to energy and whatever healing… means don’t rush it, either. Peace, friend
#9 Michele
September 28, 2006

I enjoy the quizzes – gives me a nice break from tedious work. I never thought of myself as a “reformer” but I think this describes me well.

You Are 1: The Reformer
You’re a responsible person – with a clear sense of right and wrong.

High standards are important to you, and you do everything to meet them.

You are your own worst critic, feeling ashamed if you’re not perfect.

You have the highest integrity, and people expect you to be fair.
#10 somnilista, FCD
September 28, 2006

I vote for keeping us in the dark. Hidden compulsions, people behind the scenes – it’s all so delightfully mysterious.
#11 somnilista, FCD
September 28, 2006

RE the quiz:

“I am affectionate and skeptical.” – how delightful to find that they believe those properties are compatible!

“You Are 5: The Investigator
.
You’re independent – and a logical analytical thinker.
.
You love learning and ideas… and know things no one else does.
.
Bored by small talk, you refuse to participate in boring conversations.
.
You are open minded. A visionary. You understand the world and may change it.”

Right. I’ll change the world shortly after I change my socks.
#12 Glo
September 30, 2006

Hmmmmm. 6.
Interesting assesment. It fits.