pondering science careers

The incoherent ponderer ponders the joys of doing physics as a professor at a research university...

but to offset his irrational exuberance, he points to the classic "two geeks" post by Steve Hsu

Ouch.

Read the comments.
The first one, on the analogy with art careers is a point frequently made, there is a good point there, but it is incomplete and misses half the point.

Steve also has a current pointer to discussion on grad engineering recruitment in US programs

Ouch. Ouch.

Steve has also discovered Ted Chiang, (and here and here) which is a good thing.

But Rob reminds us why we really do it - because we like to!

Now for reaffirmation of a sense of purpose, go read some old Bloom County strips, or, Calvin and Hobbes will also do.

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