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 | February 23, 2007 5:39 PM

How about a "Have been asked/will donate my body to science when I die" badge. For those freaks people will want to poke and prod post-humously.

Posted by: Crunchie | February 24, 2007 1:52 AM

Absolutely need a name dropper badge. Level I for working with a national academy member. Level II for working with a nobel laureate. Level III for being a member of the national academy and level IV for the nobel prize.

Posted by: The Spinning Guy (Kim) | February 25, 2007 9:51 AM

I'd like to see a badge with a guitar on it, known as the "I can tell you about a guitar better than I can play it" badge.

Just a thought,

Posted by: J-ROC | February 26, 2007 5:05 PM

Badge suggestion: Level I: Has worked with glassware using glycerine Level II: Eschews glycerine in working with glassware (dripping hand on badge)

Posted by: karenk | February 27, 2007 11:23 AM

Talks Science Level II

For meritorious service in the face of combat, e.g. with parents who insist on Creation and/or Intelligent Design being taught parallel to Science.

Posted by: Andrew from Vancouver | February 28, 2007 1:46 PM

How about "Have injected people in the name of science"
Level I - subcutaneous
Level II - deep intramuscular
Level III - cardiac

On the "experience with dead bodies" theme, I'd add:
"Have eaten lunch in the morgue in the presence of a dead body"

I also think there should be a "played with mercury as a child" badge - a broken thermometer, perhaps

Posted by: Jody Bower | March 1, 2007 2:46 PM

How about a "survived a superconducting magnet quench" badge

Posted by: ump_bump_fiz | March 3, 2007 10:39 PM

Autoclave Chef

Posted by: Evan | March 7, 2007 5:55 PM

I don't want to go into a bad area here, but there are some of us who have had perfectly normal sex in a scientific laboratory, mainly because we had spent so much time doing research there anyway and it was late at night and we knew who possessed each key so we were sure we wouldn't be disturbed. That's gotta be worth a badge.

Posted by: Mr. Smith | March 11, 2007 6:55 PM

Here is the 2006 World Science Fiction Convention (LACon IV) take on badges...
http://www.laconiv.org/2006/la2006/badges.htm
I love exothermic reactions!

Posted by: Thomas Benson | March 12, 2007 1:32 PM

I love the badges. I still have to go through and compile my list, plus the stories that justify them.

Couple of suggestions for more.

Jargon
More than half the words in your abstract are underlined by commercial spell checks.

Sleep I
You fall asleep in most talks

Sleep II
You fall asleep in most talks, but still ask good questions.

Sleep III
You've fallen asleep during your own talk.

I've actually made simple image files for these, and can e-mail them to you if you'd like.

Posted by: Luke | March 15, 2007 6:31 PM

I'd love to see a "citizen supporter" badge. Or a badge for "science literate" badge for us non-scientists who take the time to educate ourselves. We support you! (and agree with the articles of Truth :)

Posted by: Nicole | March 17, 2007 10:18 AM

There's something wrong with the "eaten", "shower" and "no shower" badges. I don't see any text for them

Posted by: jon | March 21, 2007 11:26 PM

I Lick Rocks badge

If you regularly lick rocks or eat dirt in the name of science.

Licking helps distinguish between silt and clay. Also good for highlighting colors and testing for salt, natch.

Posted by: Becky | March 30, 2007 3:01 PM

Just to make sure I don't get back to work to soon:
I: I have taken something apart to see how it works but couldn't put it back together.
II: I have taken something apart to see how it works and could it put it back together
III: same as II but it worked afterwards.
IV: same as III but it worked better afterwards.

As a "non-scientist", it's a bit disturbing how many of these badges I qualify for.

Posted by: Don Oberg-Hauser | April 6, 2007 9:25 AM

I know seamaphore badge

I have a slide rule badges:
I I own a slide rule
II I own a slide rule and can use it
III I own a slide rule with holster and can use it

can perform complex math on an abacus badge

Grammer Nazi badge

I can draft manually (no computer ) badge

I use semicolons in my email badge

I use outdated technology badge

I use outdated terminology badge

I use old English in my conversations badge

Posted by: Imanalchemist | April 18, 2007 2:36 AM

Oh wait, I thought of another that I'd actually qualify for:

the "I will donate/have donated organs to scientific research" badge.
To qualify one must either have already made clear to their next of kin that they're pledging their expired body to science, OR (maybe level 2?) you've had some manner of -ectomy and your organs were donated to scientific research.

The symbol could be a jar with an organ of some sort floating in it maybe.

Posted by: Laura F. | April 22, 2007 11:08 PM

I'd like to expand on Roger's Nobel Prize badge:

Level 1: Have passed a Nobel Prize winner in the hall
Level 2: Was mentored by a Nobel Prize winner
Level 3: Mentored a Nobel Prize winner
Level 4: Won a Nobel Prize
Level 5: Won an argument with a Nobel Prize winner

I also think there should be an: Have made small explosived using dry ice and plastic tubes badge.

Posted by: zigra | April 26, 2007 4:15 PM

In the same theme of "respect me - I've published..." , maybe "I have a patent in my name" badge, with additional pins for 1-5 and related powers of ten.

Also a "I have used my powers of science for good" badge. (I'd suggest a Superman "S" for that, but I suspect there'd a copywrite vilation there. Maybe just a "Don't be evil" badge.

Posted by: SpotWeld | April 26, 2007 4:26 PM

Dissected? >_

Posted by: B33J | April 26, 2007 4:38 PM

The "experienced with electrical shock" badge (LEVEL IV):
In which the recipient has had experience destroying electronic components by virtue of unintentional overload or nonlinear feedback loop. Often received alongside "experienced with fire". Rarely received alongside math-related badges.

Posted by: Michael Cloppert | April 26, 2007 4:54 PM

How about three levels of Radar?

I: I've worked on a missile defense radar.
II: I've operated a missile defense radar during a ballistic missile test.
III: I've broken a missile defense radar.

Also, maybe a phone receiver badge for "I'm the guy they call when things break." Veterans of this badge often wear the phone-receiver-crossed-out badge: "Don't call me just because you think something is broken; but, actually, you just forgot how to do your job." Think hard before calling upon the wearer of both badges to "fix" something!

Posted by: Radar Software Ninja | April 26, 2007 5:30 PM

How about "I grew up AND actually became an astronaut"? Or better yet, "I grew up and STILL want to be an astronaut"?

Posted by: Adrienne | April 26, 2007 6:23 PM

Following up on:-
"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."
- Level IV: I'm an alien

It rather worries me how badges I'm enttitled to wear. I'm not even a practising scientist - just a mechanicl/software engineer with an Art/Design masters.

Posted by: tim rowledge | April 26, 2007 8:08 PM

I second the "smuggled samples" and "child of scientist" badges. How about "I hold a license for Class 1 Narcotics and/or other controlled substances for science" badge (the level II version would be "I synthesized radioactive Semtex for science" or "I administered these controlled substances to human subjects" badge)? "Worked in Biohazard Containment" badge, with levels for the various levels of Biohazard containment? And the most tasteless of all "Had sex in a walk-in incubator".

Posted by: splene | April 26, 2007 11:01 PM

How about a badge for someone who's scientific experiment has flown on the space shuttle or space station?

Posted by: JoeS | April 27, 2007 6:35 AM

two suggestions:

1. unaided astronomy
able to identify 10 constelations, 5 asterims, and the 5 obervable solar system bodies without refrence. Also, able to tell the lattitude based on the position of polaris.

2. Armchair thoertical astrophysicist
able to discuass at length the concpets of theoretical physics, but unable to comprehend or explain the math.

Posted by: n | April 27, 2007 3:25 PM

I would add a cooking badge:
have used lab equipment to prepare food for human consumption. thoughts on levels?

The "I can't do my job without my toys!" badge, for those of us who are utterly dependent on equipment to do our job. Levels can be for expense/ complexity, rarity of equipment (ex: computer, microscope, linear accelerator...) Logo could be child holding teddy bear.

Also, for the physicians: can confidently answer to the "is there a doctor in the house?" question

I think you have enough badges that you will need to organize them by category-- working with humans, working with animals, working with numbers, working with forces of nature, working with forces of un-nature...

Posted by: miriam | April 27, 2007 5:37 PM

How about a badge for taxonomy?

Or, a badge for finding a whole bunch of new species but not having the time to do anything about it?

Posted by: Kari | April 27, 2007 5:54 PM

Giving A Scientific Talk badge
Level 1: Powerpoint
Level 2: Overhead projector with transparencies
Level 3: With only a chalkboard. Need not be legible.

Laboratory Refrigerator badge
Level 1: have used a laboratory refrigerator
Level 2: have used a laboratory refrigerator with biohazard label
Level 3: have used a laboratory refrigerator with biohazard label to store lunch

Posted by: pthu | April 27, 2007 8:17 PM

Safety Conscious Badge
Have spent so much time working with dangerous substances, that you no longer feel safe doing a stir-fry without safety glasses.

Posted by: Joal Heagney | April 28, 2007 5:34 AM

I second, third, and fourth the "tech" badge idea.

Posted by: gexx | April 28, 2007 5:39 PM

There should definitely be a 'Have stormed out of a movie theatre in protest' badge.

Posted by: Gearboy | April 29, 2007 11:55 AM

The "I've caused a Creationist to threaten me with physical violence if I don't shut up dissing God" badge.

Posted by: nik | April 30, 2007 8:22 AM

I have pipeted fot 8 hurs straight

I have gotten more lines on my target protein then my standard while running a gell

Made the person who is getting sexualy harrased think that sexual harrasmet is funny

Won 3 or more dry ice battles in a row

Linked two offices with a comunicatin tube

Hid heperesite stink bomb that was not disovered for 24 hours

Lost it after thinking someone mooved his samples

Posted by: Bla | May 1, 2007 12:55 AM

microscopy badges of different levels:
I) light/ fluorescent microscopes
II) confocal microscope
III) scanning electron microscope, two-photon microscope

Posted by: liz | May 1, 2007 5:27 PM

How about some neuroscience badges? Badges for having had an fMRI scan, badges for using/conducting Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Badges for the use of electroencephalogram, that kind of stuff. Also, an "It's not neuroscience" badge to compliment the rocket science badge? Even a "I may have irreconcilably damaged my brain in the name of science" badge for those using experimental techniques would be useful!

Posted by: Rob | May 3, 2007 5:00 PM

So many of these are great. How about an "in a relationship with a fellow scientist" or "have maintained a long distance relationship for science" badge? Think of how many couples you see in science - even in the same field.

I'd like to suggest a special badge for planning and executing a wedding while doing a long distance relationship for science, but that might be a bit obscure.

Posted by: Timon | May 4, 2007 12:25 AM

Yes to many above, but partic. the anthro/archaeo badges -- "I see dead people, parts of them, anyway"

Have excavated feces/ feces over 100 years old/ over 1000 years old

Understand the difference between uncalibrated and calibrated radiocarbon dates

Have tried to convert Intelligent Design advocates to understanding evolution/
Have a degree in theology and have tried to convert ID, etc /work in pastoral ministry and tried.... etc.

oh, I could go on, too. Thanks.

Posted by: LauraJ | May 5, 2007 10:12 AM

There is not much here for the field researchers. I'd like to suggest:

Chased by angry villagers badge
Evacuated from field site badge
Discovered new species badge
Caught tropical disease in the name of science badge
My skin is an ecosystem badge
Have traveled to places the State Department warned me against in the name of science
Kidnapped in the name of science
Shot at in the name of science
In plane crash in the name of science badge
Learned to use automatic weapon in name of science
Has bribed foreign officials in name of science
Has tasted study organism to determine toxicity badge

Posted by: DanL | May 11, 2007 12:53 PM

can we acctulay get these as real badges? I want the squid on or the dolphin one! any ways you should make a...

I wear a bowtie while experimenting badge- bow tie pic
I actully know what an ectoplasmic reation isand dont just say it cuz i think it makes me sound smart badge- question mark
I don't really like science but I want a badge badge- smile and beaker

Posted by: noah | May 15, 2007 10:32 PM

I lost my wife, as I never came home badge!

I gave a pupil a C because he understood the subject better than me badge!

I've spent so long looking at different metals they have now started to talk to me badge!

In the interests of human survival, I destroyed my notes badge!

The, they spent/wasted 60 million, but I only suggested it as a joke badge!

The carbon dating badge!- the recipient should have actually dated carbon!-or feel like they have as they have spent so long dating stuff, that they have forgotten what a member of the opposite sex looks like!

In the name of science I have fogotten what a member of the opposite sex looks like badge!

The thinking about thinking badge!

The I didnt really make that badge. The recipient should feel utterly asshamed of their invention. or how their invention has been mis-used!

The I spent 30 years invetergating something utterly stupid and now live in a cave; as my 4 year old daugther proved to me, it was stupid- badge!

The, I watch rocks badge!

The, in the name of social science I externalized my whole family badge!

The I will arrogantly attack anyone who has not read my 30 volume thesis on snails badge!

I invented 30 new 15 letter words, to support those trying to read my 30 volume thesis on snails badge!

I am not a scientist/doctor as I faked my certificates and now work in a hospital badge.

I invented a new smell badge!

I invented a new specieses badge!

I re-invented myself as a scientist badge!

The, I did 10,000 experiments but hid the 5,000 that didnt work badge!

The, sod science show me the money badge!

The, I killed my lab partner before he could publish badge!

The, I really dont get it, but as a male must pretend I do Badge.

The, I have given a speach/ sermon/ interview/ lecture about science badge!

The, I bought my doctorate on the internet badge!

The, my invention has killed badge-1, 2, 3, and 4 going up with each 100,000!

The, I actually got laid by talking about science badge! 1 2 and 3 This is to increase- a student no.1 a normal person in night club 2. and 3- twins!

Posted by: jolly | May 16, 2007 5:09 PM

I think there should be a "I work with wood" badge. As you can guess that often needs clarification as to what form of wood. I've heard every joke about getting my hands on wood, and would I like to handle your wood jokes. It could be said I suffer for my science.

Posted by: Vicky | June 24, 2007 2:40 PM

OH NO!
I discovered an impending Science Scout catastrophe.
Quick! Please institute a new rule than no member may have BOTH the Ninja AND the Pirate badge! As soon as possible!!!

Then please revoke one of the two from each member that has mistakenly claimed both. (I shudder to think what might happen to these poor unfortunates, if we're too late.)

Then set up a procedure by which a member may trade in one for the other, in case it turns out to be theoretically possible to undergo such a fundamental alteration.

Posted by: Steff Z | July 8, 2007 2:43 AM

Um. . . that is, exactly what Rob said above (sorry- I work with numbers not words).

Posted by: Archer | July 16, 2007 7:56 PM

I feel a great badge would be the ubiquitous alternative to the "Dodging monkey shit" badge, for the person NOT able to get out of the way of said monkey shit.

Posted by: Joe | July 30, 2007 6:51 PM

for those who do field work in rugged areas (geology, biology, ecology):

1. Have spent days hiking and camping in the middle of nowhere to obtain a sample/specimen badge

2. Have most likely been stalked by a large cat while doing field work without knowing it badge

3. Have climbed a mountain or large hill just to take a photograph of nature in situ badge

4. Have used horses as transportation to get to field site badge

5. Have wondered who owns the land your field site is on badge

and, one final one....unrelated to field work

6. Have suddenly become go-to climate expert for family with questions about global warming even though not actually a climate scientist badge

Posted by: Brian | August 11, 2007 6:17 PM

Yeah, another vote for a teacher badge, that would be excellent - thanks!

Posted by: heather | September 11, 2007 11:03 PM

I suggest the image of a rocket similar to the "Rocket Scientist" badge, but with the tail upward and giving off a trail of smoke. The rocket is crumpled and embedded in the ground. The badge is "I am a Rocket Scientist who has actually crashed a rocket." a.k.a., the Prang badge.

Posted by: Bill Sullivan | September 25, 2007 9:47 AM

Science teacher badges are way overdue, if for no other reason than Bravery and Service to Humanity. I might add the "Mr/Ms. Know-It-All" category, for we teachers who are brought everything from baby birds to broken computers because "you'll know what to do with it."

Posted by: rhairston | October 3, 2007 1:14 PM

Must second the motion for the "slide rule" Badge series.

An Oscilloscope Badge is a must... along with a Lissajous pattern in a negation circle - "I think Lissajous patterns are silly"

Adding to the LASER badge suggestion, "I own a real LASER (not a LASER pointer)" and "I see floaters as a result of LASER experiments"

Science in the Movies
I - My friends and/or spouse will no longer watch movies with me.
II - I have been a science consultant for a movie.
III - I have been a science consultant for a movie and my advice was ignored.

Posted by: Dave | October 7, 2007 9:01 PM

The "My research goes in circles and I get no where but nobody understands it so they keep funding me" badge

Image: A circle with an arrowhead pointing at the tail

Description:
this badge is awarded to people who seem to keep researching forever, but don't get anywhere.

Posted by: Avacar | October 9, 2007 2:39 PM

There should be a badge to distinguish those of us who work with Very Dangerous small organisms from those who work with "Potentially" dangerous ones. Maybe something following the Biosafety Levels.
Level 1: works with organisms that you could probably eat.
Level 2: works with organisms that you shouldn't touch with bare hands.
Level 3: wears a spacesuit at work.
Level 4: wears a spacesuit, has mainlined air, and works with organisms that would kill you in a most horrible fashion.

Posted by: cassandra | October 17, 2007 9:45 PM

I would like to propose the "I've gotten high in the lab" (or something similar) badge, could have something like the dazed and confused smiley face in it

2 grades:
I - Involuntary "Whether it was a leak in the anesthetic scavenger bag or too much ether in the room, this is for everyone whose work has made them more than just dizzy."
II - Voluntary "Who says our research subjects should get to have all the fun?"

Posted by: Matt | November 15, 2007 9:50 PM

How about, to accompany those other childhood dream badges,
"I grew up and ACTUALLY became a veterinarian."

LOVE the badges.

Posted by: Meredith M. Clancy | December 6, 2007 2:56 PM

I second the "uses Kimwipes for tissues" badge vote and the calls for a "high voltage" badge, or knows how to say "danger, high voltage in three or more languages". Would also like to see:
-requires background security check to do science
-has used sports equipment for scientific purposes
-survived attack by unidentified sea creature
-has own hard helmet and steel-toed boots
-attempted science at sea in gale force winds
-has electrical tape in every pocket
-has soldered electronics in a non-inertial frame of reference
-has used vodka to clean equipment
-has been shipwrecked, for science
-has had to explain "but I'm a scientist" to heavily armed soldier
-risked perpetual peer-review purgatory as editor

Posted by: Ele | December 12, 2007 6:53 PM

I've done science experiments at home.

I have my own science equipment at home (pipettors, telescopes, research animals...)

Use laboratory techniques when cooking at home

Have accidentally grossed out others by discussing/reading about science in public.

My Family Has No Idea What I Actually Do for a Living

Own my own microscope

Have been a research subject

and I would like to second "I do the real work" for technicians...

These are awesome!

Posted by: Beth | February 12, 2008 2:34 PM

well, I'll be needing a badge , with a little twisted bit of chain welded to the center of a round thing

Posted by: jamesh.g. | February 21, 2008 11:34 PM

I would like to see the "bomb calorimetry" badge. For people who explode things every day in the name of science!

Posted by: Tracy | March 7, 2008 3:06 PM

"My kid has seen a pipetman" badge

"My kid knows how to use a pipetman" badge

"My kid knows how to repair a pipetman" badge

"My kid was conceived with the use of a pipetman" badge, for those test tube babies

Posted by: Robin | March 12, 2008 8:11 PM

Suggestions for badges (and yes, I qualify for all of these)

Can write in machine code
Has participated in animal castration/neutering
Has grown a tadpole into a frog
Has intentionally used leftover food as an experiment with mold
Using science and logic, has successfully altered someone's religious views
Has closely examined roadkill
Has taken roadkill home
Has harvested parts from roadkill for further study
Has successfully overcome nausea from smell of roadkill
Has squatted over a mirror in search of more data
Has applied for a patent
Has been granted a patent
Has been granted more than one patent
Has published in peer publications
Has presented at a peer conference
Has shot living creatures into space (definition of "space" could be broken out further)
Invertabrate
Reptile/Amphibian
Bird
Mammal
2-6 inches (most rodents, for example)
7-24 Inches (rabbits, cats, dogs, for example)
25-up (humans, horses, elephants, whales)

Posted by: April | March 21, 2008 6:08 PM

Hey- where's the most spectacular lab mishap or mistake badge..... on second thought maybe that's not something we want to celebrate!

I love the suggestion about 'my kid knows how to use a pipetman' badges... seems like you could have a whole series of badges for kids:

'I can rack tips' badge
'I can identify an eppendorf tube' badge...etc.

Posted by: drdrA | March 27, 2008 5:09 PM

I second both the coffee and the laser badges, especially after what I just did in my physics lab. whee!

also:
Seasick I
bearer has performed research in a small boat (motorized or no)

Seasick II
bearer has performed research in open bays/estuaries/large rivers and lakes in a moderately sized boat

Seasick III
bearer has performed research in open ocean in a large ship

Seasick IV
bearer has performed research in a hurricane/typhoon in any size ship

I may look like a scientist, but I'm actually a pirate II
bearer has performed research on a sailing vessel

I may look like a scientist, but I'm actually a pirate III
sextant, celestial navigation, dead reckoning, noon sight: the bearer knows all of the above terms and can do them.

Mad Lab Skillz
comfortable performing in lab under any and every condition possible. bonus points for refilling formalin (or other interesting chemical) bottles in the dark in 7-foot seas.

Posted by: marit fp | April 6, 2008 2:45 AM

I think there needs to be a
have had sex (with self or others - could be seperate badges) in the midst of doing published research ---or something of that nature.

Posted by: Angel in Portland | May 8, 2008 7:45 PM

Really small scale/large scale phenomena:
a badge with 10^-1x or 10^1x on it.

appropriate for someone caught saying
"femtosecond jitter is BAD" or "that was 5 geomagnetic reversals ago"

Posted by: Marco Z | June 21, 2008 9:05 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think maybe the "I've eaten what I study" badge should read either "Hopefully, the minority of MD�s are eligible for this one" or "Hopefully, the majority of MD�s are ineligible for this one." Not "Hopefully, the minority of MD�s are ineligible for this one." Although I'm going to have to check to make sure my doctor isn't a cannibal the next time I go in for a check-up now...

Posted by: Natalie | July 29, 2008 11:15 AM

Other possibilities:
* Tadpole badge. Level II - have raised tadpoles to little frogs or toads
* Have successfully kept turtles or lizards or snakes
* Have donated animals to the zoo
* Can tell the sex of a fruitfly (Level 2, in flight)
* Have handled dangerous bases
* Have dyed little pieces of cloth in the lab
* Have created new minerals (melted things to see what would happen, Level 3, in a kiln). Earlier levels: 1, in the oven or on electric stove; 2, over flame.
* Have kept hibernating reptiles alive & well over the winter
* Have raised non-domestic baby birds to flight stage
* Have rescued wild animals from indoors & gotten them out
* Recognize birds by their calls
* Get close enough to birds to photograph them
* Catch birds in bare hands

Posted by: Monado | August 31, 2008 10:42 PM

The 'Willing Guinea Pig' badge

To earn this badge one must have been involved as a patient in one or more clinical trials of medications that have a use beyond simple pain relief (Diabetes or Multiple Sclerosis treatments, etc) with knowledge of the goals of the the trial. Whether you received an actual medication or a placebo is not important. In health care, clinical trials are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for new drugs or devices. These trials can only take place once satisfactory information has been gathered on the quality of the product and its non-clinical safety, and Health Authority/Ethics Committee approval is granted in the country where the trial is taking place. Willingness to take that risk for the sake of proper provable medicine is something that can and should be rewarded.

Posted by: Jameson Sawyer | October 27, 2008 11:09 AM

How about a "I understand the entire proof of Fermat's Last Theorem" badge?

Posted by: Avi Steiner | December 30, 2008 12:15 AM

How about a badge that represents a level of understanding or ability in your own field which causes others in your field to question your sanity. Must be able to perform demonstration which proves your knowledge/skill and have witnesses refuse to believe you can really do that.

The badge could be a figure at the top of a mountain. or a stick figure which has two shadows, one a question mark and the other an exclamation point.

also
- have invented new equipment in order to further study. Totally new equipment, not simply a cheaper version of something that could be bought.
- have finished an experiment while bleeding.
- has invented new math in order to represent data.
- Has a family member activly supressing science so that the experimenter does not hurt self or others. Usually connected to the work with fire badge and blows stuff up badge.

And finally

- superior methodology badge. the scientist is such a craftsman of scientific methodology that they can perform complex math, write programs, perform experiments, teach, or build something which they themselves do not really understand.

Posted by: michael | January 27, 2009 4:50 PM

You need a:

Has shot a monkey with a ketamine dart and then caught it with a sheet when it fell out of the tree badge.

Posted by: Siobhan | February 20, 2009 12:17 AM

I need a badge for using science to make something way more complicated than it needs to be. Perhaps worded more elegantly. . .

Posted by: Sarah | February 20, 2009 2:56 PM

The "I've actually developed a unified field theory, however I'm too xenophobic and socially removed to share with the other physicists" badge. This badge may also apply to cookies.

Posted by: Russ | March 7, 2009 8:46 PM

The bravery badge:
recipient has worked on something that frightens other scientists.

Level 1: No actual additional risk
Level 2: Additional risk of bodily injury
Level 3: Additional risk of contraction and death
Level 4: Unknown additional risk but likely will lead to long painful death.

Posted by: SJZ | March 30, 2009 11:15 AM

You should change "Inordinately fond of invertebrate" to the plural. I love quite a few invertebrates, and would find it hard to pick just one.

Posted by: DLJ | May 11, 2009 7:09 PM

[picture of bookshelf with Roman numeral III]

Badge name: Shhhh III

Description: Subject has outrageous knowledge of library workings.

Can identify Genre, Publisher, Author and (sometimes) Series by ISBN.

Posted by: RAM Maghouin | May 16, 2009 4:09 AM

A couple more

The "Electrocuted myself and lived FOR SCIENCE!" badge - you accidentally or deliberately got a substantial electric shock (not just static or other low current) without protection while working in science. Level I US mains voltage, level II european mains voltage, level III 1kv and up, level IV lightning / Tesla coil etc.

The "My sharks have frikkin lasers in their heads" badge for evil geniuses.

The "We evacuated" badge - for those circumstances where experiments get a little out of hand. Level I is the lab, level II the building, level III a large industrial complex, level IV a city, level V probably needs an "I developed interstellar travel" badge to go with it.

Posted by: Marcus Rowland | May 16, 2009 4:53 AM

A friend of mine qualifies for:

The “has frozen stuff just to see what happens” badge (LEVEL IV)
In which the recipient has frozen something in liquid helium for the sake of scientific curiosity.

Doesn't get much colder than that.

He freezes crystals of electrons in intense magnetic fields at very close to absolute zero...

Posted by: Anthony Fincher | June 16, 2009 11:38 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: Thornhill Dentist | August 30, 2009 11:30 PM

A badge for getting an emergency dental root canal.

Posted by: Emergency Dental | January 14, 2010 10:34 PM