The World's Fair

Another truth: Truth is stranger than fiction.

Posted by: chezjake | February 10, 2007 12:34 PM

Myabe dropping your back elbow a little more will help. Hold it tighter against your ribs. I know, that's a pretty typical suggestion, but my average went up by 30 points in the '04 season, just from that alone.

Posted by: lmnop | February 11, 2007 7:05 PM

The "MacGyver" badge.
... clever use of a paper clip and DW40. ...

DW40? That's just embarrassing. Surely you mean WD-40.

Posted by: Anthony K. | February 12, 2007 3:57 PM

How about a "Banned from Uncommon Descent" (or more generally a "Banned from Quack Convention") badge?

Posted by: Billy | February 12, 2007 4:03 PM

"I have handled live internal organs" badge
Like the human internal organs badge, but the organs have to have still been alive when you handled them (as in measurable cellular activity in a significant number of the cells in the organ). Organs don't have to be human.

3 levels of laser badge. The first for using them (includes laser pointers), the second for using them in your research/communication (except laser pointers), and the third for burning stuff/cutting stuff/initiating nuclear fusion with lasers.

A badge for having to wear protective gear in your research.

A badge for working with poisons.

A badge for working with brains, either human or animal.

A badge for using microscopes and another for using telescopes.

A badge for injuries acquired while practicing or publicizing science.

A badge for people where at least 50% of their scientific work is done on computers.

Posted by: TheBlackCat | February 12, 2007 4:54 PM

Here's a badge suggestion:

Image: A pedigree chart with at least one breeding pair connected by double lines.

Meaning: "I have deliberately caused my research organisms to inbreed or self-pollinate."

Posted by: Julie Stahlhut | February 12, 2007 5:12 PM

Time Dilation badge. (clock in motion icon?)
Statistical Linear Regression Badge (Data handling I)
High Voltage badge.

Posted by: Nick Gully | February 12, 2007 5:38 PM

seconding darrell's suggestion for the 'transdisciplinary' badge.

design: venn diagrams?

Posted by: markus | February 12, 2007 6:22 PM

Have had a disease or syndrome named after me.

There should be two seperate levels this one. Level I - as the discoverer. Level II - as the index case.

Posted by: John McKay | February 12, 2007 6:57 PM

A few that I need:

Chased through the jungle by soldiers in a helicopter.

Bitten by a large, undomesticated carnivore.

Accidental generation and inhalation of poison gas.

Spent own money on scientific expedition.

Scientific publications with only a high school diploma.

Worlds foremost expert on an obscure subject due to death of predecessor.

Persuades laymen to handle frightening creatures.

Bat fluffer.

Homebrew low-tech equipment.

Research procrastination.

Posted by: Mike Huben | February 12, 2007 7:55 PM

Ah, so you wanted badge suggestions. ;-)

I'd qualify for all of the following:
- Alchemy badge - have used scientific knowledge to brew golden alcoholic beverages
- Hypodermic badge - know how to give/have given IV drugs to a mouse
- Drugz badge - have administered multiple psychoactive drugs to multiple species of lab animals.
- Brain surgery badge - have implanted electrodes in brains of multiple species of lab animals, thus incidentally also qualifying for the dental drill badge.
- Blowhard badge - have designed and blown custom laboratory glassware in order to carry out experiments on isolated frog hearts (did this in both high school and college)
- Microsurgery badge - have done limb bud transplants on chick and frog embryos and produced viable animals with extra limbs
- Daredevil badge - have picked up wild poisonous snakes without gloves and brought them home
- Better part of Valor badge - had free access to a 1 kg bottle of pure Sandoz LSD-25 and did not avail myself of any.

Posted by: chezjake | February 12, 2007 9:39 PM

I think there must be a category for death in the name of Science.

- I killed for science ...
- possibly with levels/degrees/taxae

I (only?) killed mice - but I remember it pretty darn well.

Posted by: damian | February 12, 2007 11:16 PM

How about a Level IV badge for people who have shocked themselves and another person at the same time - with a distinguishing "bar" for three phase or other very high voltages.

Since this badge (and a few others) may remove you (and another person) from the gene pool when you attempt to qualify, a link to the Darwin Awards may be in order.

The "has worked with exploding penguins" category has also, sadly, been overlooked again.

Just one more buzz ... Christopher Woulfe

Posted by: Christopher Woulfe | February 13, 2007 10:28 AM

I have a suggestions for a couple of badges.
--I cut up flipper badge for anyone that has hacked up any marine mammal.
I--poked a dead marine mammal with a stick
II--performed one or more necropsies of a marine mammal
III--can dismantle an entire marine mammal using a normark falcon filet knife with in sheath sharpener
--I have eaten my research organism badge.
--Smelly research badge At the end or during the course of research you smell bad enough to evoke comment in a public place or even clear a halo of space around you.

Posted by: Julie | February 13, 2007 11:54 AM

"Raised a botfly to maturity in his/her own skin"

Posted by: dbpitt | February 13, 2007 3:42 PM

As a follow up to The "worship me - I've published in Nature or Science" badge, how about The "worship me for real - I've published in an Open Access journal" badge.

Also, a "I have a life" badge might be nice (i.e., highlighting the reality that it is possible to combine a passion for science with other weirdo hobbies such as family, the outdoors, or playing checkers).

Posted by: Joanne | February 13, 2007 8:32 PM

These are great!
a few that I'll suggest (and admit to):
- "I've forgone bathing for a month to do remote field work" badge (higher levels might also be possible)
- "My scientific equipment caused a headache for Homeland Security (or TSA or customs...)" badge

Posted by: sciencewoman | February 13, 2007 10:29 PM

- presently has more than one item of roadkill in home freezer (for dissection, not consumption).

- has concealed live animals on one's person while flying a commercial airline (like what Julie said, but the specimen has to be alive - preferably wiggly and/or smelly).

- has accidentally mutated a houseplant with unshielded radiation or chemical mutagens. (Said houseplant must have grossly aberrant morphology to qualify).

- second on tikistitch's suggestion (has committed biology-related lunchtime conversational offense).

- second on the Drugz badge.

- has driven an entire dead human body around in a civilian vehicle (for scientific purposes, of course).

Posted by: bioephemera | February 14, 2007 11:25 PM

How about a "I've named a pet (or child) after a scientific person or thing" badge?

Posted by: Jenn | February 16, 2007 12:45 AM

The "I can tell you all about behavior in more than three dimensions, and intend to" badge.

Posted by: Bervin | February 16, 2007 2:34 AM

I second the motion of adding the word "World" at the start of the Order's name. WOOT!!

And my suggestion for a badge: "I got lab animals drunk in the name of science."

Posted by: Beth | February 16, 2007 7:16 AM

A few I could proudly wear:

- Has chased an experimental animal down a hallway
- Was seen on TV twisting dials that had nothing to do with the actual research being described.

I like the "has named an animal" suggestion. I once had a colony of eight chinchillas in a laboratory all named for friends and colleagues. Perhaps chevrons could be displayed indicating the number of animals.

Posted by: Michael Edelman | February 16, 2007 10:08 AM

How about aviation related:

a pair of aviator wings;
level 1: science done in flight
level 2: science done in flight, above .5 mach number
level 3: science done in flight, above .85 mach number
level 4: science done in flight, above mach 1

How about computer related:

a badge with the 01 (on off) symbol:
level 1: built my own computer
level 2: built my own network
level 3: built my own network, and has a free wifi node
level 4: "hacked a gibson"

How about reproductive science:

a badge with the figures of 2 children

level 1: successfully reproduced once
level 2: successfully reproduced twice
level 3: successfully reproduced more than twice

Posted by: David Good | February 16, 2007 11:16 AM

I'd extend Steinn's astrobadges.
Perhaps Level Ia: I've used a telescope to observe a planet.
Level Ib: I've used a telescope to observe a galaxy.
Combined Level Iab: I've done both.

Then, add "I've worded with a vacuum" other than a vacuum cleaner, that is.

Extend David's Aviator badges with Astronaut badges:
Level I: I've used a spacecraft simulator.
Level II: I've been aboard a spacecraft.
Level III: I've actually been in space.

Posted by: Astroprof | February 16, 2007 11:31 AM

There's a dearth of computing sciences badges. Every science these days uses supercomputers, so this badge could be put in cereal boxes, or in a tray in the cafeteria.

The "Used more FLOPs today than ordinary mortals use their entire lives" badge? Image: a line of boxes standing on a tile floor.

Posted by: QuantumTroll | February 16, 2007 11:58 AM

"I may look like a scientist but I'm actually also a pirate":

http://www.sasquatch-infotech.com/pics/OOTSSOERAAAP-pirate.jpg

Just so you don't leave the other side out. Otherwise, how are we to hold Ninja -vs- Pirate parties in proper style?

Also: here's some proposed images for the acid badges:
http://www.sasquatch-infotech.com/pics/OOTSSOERAAAP-acidL1.jpg
http://www.sasquatch-infotech.com/pics/OOTSSOERAAAP-acidL2.jpg
http://www.sasquatch-infotech.com/pics/OOTSSOERAAAP-acidL3.jpg

Posted by: Jeff | February 16, 2007 1:05 PM

The Linnaeus Badge

Level I (written): I can confidently apply the nominative plural and genitive plural forms of Latin nouns to written taxonomic descriptions

Level II (oral): I incorporate Latin species names into my everyday conversations with no apparent difficulty in pronunciation. In fact, I prefer to use Latin names over common names.

Posted by: robyn | February 16, 2007 1:26 PM

Homeland Security Badges:
I - Have legally performed experiments that otherwise would have been illegal
II - Have performed experiments whose subject/materials/methods were made illegal due to my findings
III - Have performed experiments that I am now obligated to deny any knowledge of

Posted by: Larry | February 16, 2007 2:02 PM

The "I've used ridiculously dangerous chemicals to perform a mundane task" badge
The "acid burn" badge. Level I for weak acids, level II for strong acids, level III for superacids
The "ultracentrifuge" badge for knowing how to use one properly
The "I laugh in the face of cancer" badge for cancer research, or for handling carcinogenic chemicals. Bonus stripes for both
The "I know more elements than people" badge

Posted by: jon | February 16, 2007 3:16 PM

Another suggestion:

A "Was it supposed to do that?" badge.

Of course, you can have different levels depending on if what "it" did turned out to be a good thing or not.

Posted by: Jenn | February 16, 2007 4:51 PM

Hey Sarah P - My first job was working as a page in the library... You need a badge for "Getting High On Library Paste!" BTW - Your Library Badge is soooo easy! Got to be a finger in front of the lips!

Posted by: J-Dog | February 16, 2007 4:54 PM

The naming organisms badge needs to be made more specific.

"An organism was named after me."
"I named an organism after somebody else."

Level 0: an individual organism.
Level 1: a species.
Level 2: a genus.
Level 3: a family.
Level 4: you're lying....

Posted by: Mike Huben | February 16, 2007 5:25 PM

one more:

The:

I have returned from field work and was directed to the homeless shelter while unloading my vehicle

badge

Posted by: gexx | February 16, 2007 6:29 PM

I would like to nominate Ryan North for the society. His Dinosaur Comics include discussion of such topics as computational linguistics http://www.qwantz.com/index.pl?comic=170 , evolution http://www.qwantz.com/index.pl?comic=219 , completely gratuitous cephalopod references http://www.qwantz.com/index.pl?comic=493 , vitamin B12 http://www.qwantz.com/index.pl?comic=7 and stomping.

And note his stand on space exploration and sexual equality exemplified by this t-shirt. I'm sure many of your members would be interested in the shirt independent of Ryan's qualifications.
http://www.qwantz.com/merchandise.html#moon
(Seeing as there is a badge for science in music, there should be one for science in popular art).

I don't blog about science enough to qualify, but one of my readers sent me your URL.

Posted by: Aviatrix | February 16, 2007 8:40 PM

Well, just to keep in line with "every little thing that Scouting entails.....just an regular, ole Eagle Scout, so that any scouting questions that might come up, be answered with some degree of orginality...

PS With a resoruces in 105 true merit badges from the Boy Scouts of America...

Posted by: jack robert | February 16, 2007 9:45 PM

Ok, I'm mildly surprised there's no "rocket scientist" badge. There could be multiple of levels:

1) Have successfully exploded a model rocket
2) Have successfully launched a model rocket
3) Have successfully launched a NON-model rocket (sounding rocket, satellite, probe, etc.)
4) Work for NASA/ESA/equivalent.

-Dave

Posted by: David Gore | February 17, 2007 2:15 AM

For the rockets -- multiple levels are needed:

Rocketry badge (Note: All flights must be successful)

0: Estes rockets (Centuri or Quest rockers available)
1: High Power Rocketry Level 1
2: High Power Rocketry Level 2
3: High Power Rocketry Level 3
4: Had to get special FAA and NASA permission to launch
5: List of nations that have reached space includes your name (way to go, Ky Michaelson!)
6. Launched Humans (legally?)
7. Flew on a rocket

Other possible badges:

"Got a grade of 'No Comment' on paper or class project, paper or class project was not returned, and you were forced to turn in all copies of research, notes, drafts, etc."

"Designed nuclear reactors" (That one's for my wife).

"Met significant other at science event or lecture" (I met my wife over a discussion of dynamite at a science lecture while in high school.)

Special "Mythbuster Badge" for the folks on the TV show. (Donating your Corvette to be destroyed counts.)

Posted by: Rob | February 17, 2007 7:35 AM

I second at least half of these suggestions, but here are some that haven't been touched on:

"Erdős-Bacon number of 4 or less" - Could easily be made into multiple tiers.

"Polyglot" - for having explained scientific concepts to laypersons in more than one language (special props for using "math" as the language, but programming languages don't count).

"Wikipedian" or "Wikipeida Nazi" - for those who can't help but correct wikipedia for the sake of the greater human understanding of science. A conflicting badge could be "Wikipedia forger" for fake entries.

"has been Wiki'd" - there exists a legitimate Wikipedia entry about you, owing to your contributions to science.

"Museum collections curator" - for those who have catalogued, labeled, and organized thousands of specimens. Could have a field collector extention, a la "I have smuggled specimens through customs."

"Autoclave proficient"

"Stupid party tricks" - has entertained an audience of more than 15 people by applying a scientific principle and using common household supplies and appliances. Special recognition for making money by betting on the outcome of said said trick.

"makes science fun"
Level I - has played games that require altogether too much scientific knowledge - e.g. making words and sentences using solely element abbreviations (Barium disodium is BaNa2 is BaNaNa) or naming a reptile genus that begins with every letter of the alphabet
Level II - has created such a game
Level III - writes physics engines

"Editor of a scientific journal" - icon could be a plume pen.

Picky detail: if you use the chezjake's suggestion, remember that snakes (and spiders and wasps, etc.) are venomous, not poisonous (yes, I do brandish a science prick badge...).

Posted by: Aileen | February 18, 2007 2:14 PM

Rock Music + Ear!
Listens to music with Sciency lyrics... Ever listen to Radiohead?
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/radiohead/karma+police_20113292.html
"Karma police, arrest this man, he talks in maths
He buzzes like a fridge, hes like a detuned radio"
[there's many other songs too, that'd qualify.]

Oh, oh...

DNA Fan - fan of Douglas Adams' work?
HHGG Fan - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Posted by: Nimish Batra | February 18, 2007 9:34 PM

Soldering mishaps badges:

Level 1: Have burned self soldering.

Level 2: Have set hair on fire while soldering.

Level 3: Have set hair on fire while soldering 10 times or more.

Posted by: Helen | February 19, 2007 9:48 AM

Forgot level three on that last one: "I went ahead and smuggled my equipment since it was the only way to get it through."

Posted by: Helen | February 19, 2007 9:55 AM

love this page.. one or two additions:

Soldering - have dropped hot iron in crotch...
Electric Shock - have intentionally subjected self to electric shock for fun, while involved in otherwise worthy scientific pursuits, extra points for > 5KV (low power I hope)

Also, along with the Security sections (it probably should be a separate section for working with classified projects) -
have worked on projects i wasn't allowed to know the purpose of.

Posted by: Sean S | February 19, 2007 3:33 PM

A badge for dumpster diving science, successfully using lab equipment scavenged from a dumpster, bonus if the resulting data was used in a thesis and/or published

Posted by: Thermochronic | February 19, 2007 10:51 PM

The "I've set fire to stuff" badge (LEVEL IV).

In which the recipient has set fire to his or herself while performing experiments in the name of science. Cooking or drinking accidents do not qualify one for this badge.

Posted by: John McKay | February 20, 2007 12:53 PM

How about an Economic Reality badge: "uses equipment that costs more than what he/she will make over a lifetime".

Posted by: Agnes | February 20, 2007 6:14 PM

How about a set for being highly successful? Like:

Making a Better World I - I've invented/discovered something that improved my life.

Making a Better World II - I've invented/discovered something that improved someone else's life.

Making a Better World III - I've invented/discovered something that would improve the lives of every single Earthling

Posted by: Turil | February 20, 2007 9:36 PM

Big Stink I - ever emptied out a lab or building with the odors of an experiment.
Big Stink II - As I, but failed to notice the odor yourself.
Big Stink III - Inhaled a cloud of your own making consisting of any chemical ever used in chemical warfare.

Posted by: Zod | February 21, 2007 1:12 AM

I love the two hearts with the bunsen burner, also the badges for Level 1: naming a syndrome/illness, and Level 2: for becoming the index case. I'd add some neuroscience imaging:
Level 1: spent more than 10 hours in the scanner
Level 2: spent more than 100 hours in the scanner
Level 3: can no longer sleep unless in the scanner with a sequence running

Posted by: pelican | February 21, 2007 9:37 PM

shorted out half of lab with small metal object (eg needle)

Posted by: rowena | February 21, 2007 11:42 PM

How about one for those of us who think plants are more interesting than animals, and have spent countless hours trying to convince the animalcentrists of that fact?

Also one for people who have sequenced their pets, houseplants, or selves, just for the hell of it.

Posted by: Diane | February 22, 2007 2:40 PM

Protein Purification Badge
Mass Spec. Badge
UV/VIs spectrometer expert Badge
Lab Idiot Badge
Lab Poser Badge
Stupid Question Badge Levels 1 - 3
Stupid Mistake Badge
Took credit for someones elses idea badge
Brownnose the boss badge
Pulled an overnighter in the lab badge
Will do anything for coffee badge

Posted by: Gary | February 22, 2007 6:11 PM

Love the idea for a "Pipette Prowess" badge. Maybe add something about having a right beefy arm from long days at work? (no innunendo there...)

I also quite enjoy the "Horse Pituitary Harvester" badge, but would personally have to request a "Goldfish Pituitary Harvester" badge... O_o

Or maybe a badge for having put several species' brain tissue (or any tissue?) through the blender?

Man, I LOVE science!

Posted by: Kat | February 23, 2007 1:13 AM

The remarks below pertain to the new organization, the one with all the initials.

Merely some suggestions. (Science is not incompatible with good English; in fact, the better scientific publications insist upon it.)

These portions of the text require attention:

The "talking science" badge.
Required for all members. Assumes the recipient conducts himself/herself in such a manner as to talk science whenever he/she gets the chance. Not easily fazed by looks of disinterest from friends or the act of "zoning out" by well intentioned loved ones

[-- Please reword this. "Disinterest" refers to impartiality or lack of bias; uninterested means not interested.]

The "my degree inadvertantly makes me competent in fixing household appliances" badge.
Not necessarily a good thing.

[-- Please fix spelling of inadvertently.]

The "I've done science with no concievable practical application" badge.
There are probably more who are deserving of this badge than you would expect.

[-- Please fix spelling of conceivable.]

Posted by: JT |