soapbox

Most of the stuff in this article is probably common knowledge to us grad-students, however it is refreshing to hear in the main stream media that people are being made aware of how things work in science land. As a self proclaimed worry-wart, and a person approaching graduation, things like post-docing, tenure track jobs, research funding (and even ideas too!) are constantly on the brain. With the current survival of the fittest (or most conservative as the article speaks to) approach to science we seem to be taking these days, it is a bit concerning that there are way more scientists than proper science jobs and funding for their ideas and research. And though the article is quite good, many of the comments appended at the end are similarly good. I suppose it’s really just a bitch-fest, but what the hell. It’s worth a read.

Guest Column: Letting Scientists Off the Leash

Not having enough of the limelight, the prosecutor behind the effort to impeach President Clinton has recently filed a lawsuit that would FORCIBLY DIVORCE all same-sex couples who married in the year before Prop H8.

Politically this is very clever; I’m guessing that he’s hoping to drag Obama into this just when our President needs to devote all his political capital to overcoming the obstructionist RepubliCants in rebuilding our country/economy.

However, I don’t think I need to tell you how morally repugnant it is. Think about it – the government steps in and tells you that your marriage, your sacred and loving commitment to your partner, is suddenly and arbitrarily broken.

“Fidelity”: Don’t Divorce… from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Say I ain’t so, Alex!

I’ve generally been supportive of Alex Rodriguez, or at least up until his dalliance with Madonna, so I confess I am rather surprised and disappointed by the leaking of A-Rod’s name as one of those who tested positive for steroids in 2003.

On one hand, I shouldn’t be surprised, since it was estimated by players and the media that at least a large minority if not a majority of players were on the juice, but I guess I didn’t expect any confirmation.

It’s not fair to Rodriguez that he gets nailed while so many others who were/are just as guilty get away un-named, but in the end it’s also unfair to baseball fans in general as the an iconic figure of today’s sport gets knocked from his place on Mt Rushmore.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just say “I want X job doing Y at Z location”?

This week has had ups and downs in the job search.

First, the most geographically disadvantaged job that I applied for told me that I’ve made the final three in their search. It’s a tenure-track job at a small liberal arts college even. Unfortunately, taking the job would require living away from the family for at least 18 months and I’m just not sure I could do that.

Second, the geographically blessed job I applied for turns out to be contingent on someone becoming an astronaut. It said “contingent on funding”, but what it’s actually contingent on is the current post-doc in the position getting through the last couple of hoops to become an astronaut. Then there’s an open space that will have funding. Frankly, I’m a little bit pissed. “Contingent on funding” in my mind is we think there’s a good chance of getting a grant so we’re starting to look now… not “there’s a chance that maybe one of our people might be leaving and we want to keep our bases covered.”

An astronaut. That’s hard to believe.

Two more applications to hear about. If they fall through I’m going to be spending time at the playground.

I don’t have a clever headline or link for this post; I just wanted to say that I feel really bad for Phelps having his pot-smoking caught on tape and distributed across the world. Firstly, the guy has proven how hard-core he is – with that kind of training regimen, don’t you think he’s earned a little bit of relaxation? Secondly, this is a sad example of how America is (still) tight-ass about the wrong stuff. We have no problem with 12-year-old watching ultra-graphic movies or TV shows, no problem with the glorification of alcohol and cigarettes in pop culture, and no problem with a tyrannical interpretation of the 2nd amendment, but ohmygod, marijuana is the drug of the devil and must be classified right next to heroin even though medically it’s pretty chill.

I think I’m allowed to lobby for decriminalization – not for myself mind you, but just on general principle – given that the “worst” thing I’ve ever done in terms of restricted substances was to try smoking a marlboro when I was 9. No? what’s that? I’m an evil pothead and probably a baby-killer? fine then. As Tina Fey says, suck it.

In case you are like my secretary and will be driving from Cali to Kansas tomorrow, or like me and don’t have DVR anymore (sad!), never fear – notable commercials for tomorrow’s Big Game* are already summarized/previewed for us, and probably available on the torrent-tubes.

Previewed commercials include the ETrade baby, Dennys, a 3D SoBe Lifewater commercial (grab Intel-made 3D goggles being offered at SoBe Lifewater retail stands), Mr Potato Head schilling for Bridgestone, and in a nod to Nick, Danica Patrick for GoDaddy.com:

Also notable is FritoLay’s little scheme, where five contestants who designed their own spots have a chance to win $1 million… if the commercial can wrest the top spot on USA Today’s “Ad Meter” from Anheuser-Busch.

FritoLay has already selected five finalists, involving dude-centric themes like a woman in lacy black lingerie, a cop who turns into a monkey, an ATM that spits free money and an office worker who gets hit in the privates by a flying snow globe. Fans can vote for their favorite at www.crashthesuperbowl.com.

Of course, I have to suspect that by offering five options, viewers are likely to split their vote and miss out on the cash – but not like FL is going to cry about a measly 1 mil even in this economy.

* I’m avoiding saying the SB word so as to avoid getting sued by the NFL, seeing as I’m not an officially licensed partner of the NFL/Big Game. You think I’m kidding.