• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 01:38
CEST 07:38
KST 14:38
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Power Rank - Esports World Cup 202561RSL Season 1 - Final Week9[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall15HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16
Community News
BSL Team Wars - Bonyth, Dewalt, Hawk & Sziky teams10Weekly Cups (July 14-20): Final Check-up0Esports World Cup 2025 - Brackets Revealed19Weekly Cups (July 7-13): Classic continues to roll8Team TLMC #5 - Submission re-extension5
StarCraft 2
General
#1: Maru - Greatest Players of All Time The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings Server Blocker Team TLMC #5 - Submission re-extension Greatest Players of All Time: 2025 Update
Tourneys
Esports World Cup 2025 FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond)
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation #239 Bad Weather Mutation # 483 Kill Bot Wars Mutation # 482 Wheel of Misfortune Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava
Brood War
General
BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Ginuda's JaeDong Interview Series [Update] ShieldBattery: 2025 Redesign BW General Discussion Dewalt's Show Matches in China
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China CSL Xiamen International Invitational [CSLPRO] It's CSLAN Season! - Last Chance
Strategy
[G] Mineral Boosting Does 1 second matter in StarCraft? Simple Questions, Simple Answers
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Total Annihilation Server - TAForever Nintendo Switch Thread [MMORPG] Tree of Savior (Successor of Ragnarok) Path of Exile
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread US Politics Mega-thread Post Pic of your Favorite Food!
Fan Clubs
INnoVation Fan Club SKT1 Classic Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[\m/] Heavy Metal Thread Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Korean Music Discussion
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2025 Football Thread TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NBA General Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Installation of Windows 10 suck at "just a moment" Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
TeamLiquid Team Shirt On Sale The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Ping To Win? Pings And Their…
TrAiDoS
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Socialism Anyone?
GreenHorizons
Eight Anniversary as a TL…
Mizenhauer
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 673 users

What Science is and was to me.

Blogs > Xusneb
Post a Reply
Xusneb
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
Canada612 Posts
January 10 2008 21:52 GMT
#1
In high school, I did not have any idea what I wanted to do with my life. Sure, my family did, the media did, but personally I did not. I was at the point in life where I realized that I was not special and most likely never will be. I felt like another plebe grinding through life, another lost soul in the never ending cycles of history. Yea, I'm glad to be out of it... I only regret not having any creative output during that time, I could have written some great songs!

Anyways, I eventually ended up studying biochemistry in university. I still didn't know what I was doing, I merely combined my interest in biology and chemistry in high school into a wunderprogram for university. At first, I was deterred by the absence of any biochem courses in my schedule for, oh, something like 2 years. Then, upon actually learning what biochemistry was all about, I was shocked to learn that it was apparently ... just... a... job?

In my youth, I always envisioned scientists to be hulking, intellectual monsters in their ivory towers crafting god-knows-what with their crazy chemicals and contraptions. I envisioned breakthroughs being made everyday. I thought physicists sat in offices and churned out thought experiments and theories on the universes' darkest secrets. I thought chemists made sparkling novel molecules by splashing a few solutions together. I thought biologist looked in their microscopes and voila, found a cure for another disease! Well, I may not have been this deluded but I definitely thought there was more pizazz to the field, at least from what my textbooks have shown me.

After a thorough eye opening, I've come realize that science is not quite this ideal. However, no field of study is. There is no career out there where one starts at the top. Unless you're a prince, you must work your way up through hard work, perseverance, and motivation. A bit of luck will of course help, although I've come to depend on that less these days.

Now, I see science in a different light. It's a field where the stress is high and the money is bad. The rewards are infrequent - most alleys of investigation lead nowhere. People can waste their whole careers looking at something completely wrong. It takes many years of education to even become able to conduct your own research and even then the competition is fierce. Oh, and at any given time you can run out of grant money and be out of a job. Did I say it was stressful?

Nonetheless, I'm staying put. Because you see, the people who do science understand what it's all about. It's not about the money, the prestige, or even the jargon (quantum dot bioconjugate array anyone?). It's about intrinsic motivation. It's about being able to go to work and do something that you believe may better humanity in the future. It's about believing you're making a difference in this world - even if you fail, at least you tried. It's about understanding the world we live in. It's about the triumph of logic and reason. That's what science is to me.

*****
If you want to be happy, be. - Leo Tolstoy
Chill
Profile Blog Joined January 2005
Calgary25980 Posts
January 10 2008 22:03 GMT
#2
Your name is an anagram of "BS Xenu"; I see through your scientologist logic.
Moderator
liosama
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
Australia843 Posts
January 10 2008 22:48 GMT
#3
But in a capitalist world, some people need to study science to be able to work and get whatever money they can

but cool read ^^
Free Palestine
SchOOl_VicTIm
Profile Blog Joined September 2004
Greece2394 Posts
January 10 2008 23:02 GMT
#4
i hate to disapoint you, but science and research is nothing like what you're dreaming of in the last paragraph. maybe it would be cool to be like that and maybe there are a few scientists who fool themselves into it while going to work every day. science is totally under control of those who need it to make more and more and more and more money. and only that. it has very little to do with what humanity needs and whatever higher purpose it could serve. in the end, it's all about how more profit can be gained by the few who control it.
Snet *
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
United States3573 Posts
January 10 2008 23:04 GMT
#5
good read and good luck

I have similar beliefs, but I'm fine with being just another plebe.
Luddite
Profile Blog Joined April 2007
United States2315 Posts
January 10 2008 23:11 GMT
#6
You sound like you went through much the same process of discovery about science that I did. Once I realized what you did, though, I decided to get out. The chance of "doing something that may better humanity in the future" is so small that it's just not worth it to me.
Can't believe I'm still here playing this same game
Cascade
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
Australia5405 Posts
January 10 2008 23:26 GMT
#7
On January 11 2008 07:03 Chill wrote:
Your name is an anagram of "BS Xenu"; I see through your scientologist logic.


I prefer to see it as an anagram of "sex nub".

OP: what level are you at? I'm a PhD in physics myslef, and I'm mostly in it because it's fun. I'm fairly certain my field will not save any lives or in any way change the life of any everyday person (as in not working in my field). thb, I'm a bit of a leech on the tax money in that way. Only output is better understanding of how nature works. No applications for a long time almost for sure.

I guess it is quite different in biochemstry. I don't know if you are doing strictly only theory or more hands-on, but I assume your research still can result in application within say 10 years at most. That is probably more motivating than doing research just "for fun" as I am doing, at least in a sence. So I congratulate you on that and wish you luck with your arrays.
nA.Inky
Profile Blog Joined October 2004
United States794 Posts
January 11 2008 00:24 GMT
#8
None of this "I'm not special" nonsense. Everyone is special - completely unique and important in some way. The key is figuring out how, and being free and strong enough to figure out how.

But anyway, if you enjoy what you are doing, that's what matters, I suppose. Try to do more good than bad with what you are doing. (The world doesn't need more weapons or toxic chemicals.)
Email (use instead of PM): InkMeister at aol dot com AIM: InkMeister
Cascade
Profile Blog Joined March 2006
Australia5405 Posts
January 11 2008 01:07 GMT
#9
That debate about being unique/special or not is so confused... Different people put so different things in the words.

Yes, you are unique in the sence that noone else is exactly as you are.
No, you are not unique in the sence that you got skills that noone else has.

Yes, you are special in the sence that there are other persons that really care about you.
No, you are not special in the sence that the world will be significantly because of you.
micronesia
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
United States24676 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-01-11 01:28:55
January 11 2008 01:28 GMT
#10
On January 11 2008 08:26 Cascade wrote:
OP: what level are you at? I'm a PhD in physics myslef, and I'm mostly in it because it's fun.
Are you insane? I got out just before the major became hell...(meaning I didn't continue past my first degree) upper level lab is like stabbing yourself in the head with a baseball bat for several hours at a time, or so my classmates who went on told me. I'm not saying you are doing something wrong, but doing it because it's fun? I also spoke to my ta's who were grad students and learned about how they were the total bitches of the world until they got their phd.
ModeratorThere are animal crackers for people and there are people crackers for animals.
Masamune
Profile Joined January 2007
Canada3401 Posts
January 11 2008 02:30 GMT
#11
Very excellent read, probably one of the best blogs I've read on TL because I can really relate. 5/5!
Xusneb
Profile Blog Joined November 2006
Canada612 Posts
January 11 2008 02:45 GMT
#12
Hey, thanks for the responses. I wrote that short post in a blaze of passion with minimal editing or organization of my thoughts. Looking back, it shows as I went all over the place. I probably contradicted myself a few times too. But it sure felt good to get that off my chest though

School_victim: I'll admit, the current state of scientific research is in a poor state compared to other areas of employment. Since the government and rich businesses control the grant money, it's hard for one to pursue research paths without external pressure on them. However, most scientists are doing research to better understand the world or to find cures for diseases... I don't see how this is just for profit. Sure, someone makes money out of it, most research leads to someone other than the researcher making money, but the exploitation of science is a different topic from what science is.

Cascade: I'm currently a 3rd year undergrad student... long way to go Biochem is pretty much entirely hands-on. Essentially, you experiment on cellular macromolecules (DNA and proteins mostly) to figure out their functions. It's basically trying to understand w-t-f goes on in our cells... after 50 years, we still know very little.

micronesia: You seem to have asked a lot of people but you haven't yourself experienced the higher education levels in science. Well, I guess you probably wouldn't like it even if you tried it out That's alright though, just try to understand that there are people out there who actually like their work and may even find it, inexplicably i know, fun. The best thing to do is to let them be and hope they continue to find it fun because hey, if he's doing it, you're not doing it! Huzzah!

BTW, xusneb = bensux, get it?
If you want to be happy, be. - Leo Tolstoy
fight_or_flight
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States3988 Posts
January 11 2008 03:33 GMT
#13
Science is tightly controlled nowadays...most of it isn't what I would consider science, just high-tech engineers.
Do you really want chat rooms?
Jibba
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States22883 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-01-11 03:41:34
January 11 2008 03:40 GMT
#14
I know people who had a great experience doing aerospace engineering with both NASA and the Navy, and others who just lost their jobs at Pfizer and are pretty pissed about their careers.

It really depends on your situation, I guess. I can tell you that it is quite possible for exceptionally brilliant and motivated people to find a way to get in on "world changing" research, even coming up as undergrads.
ModeratorNow I'm distant, dark in this anthrobeat
Lemonwalrus
Profile Blog Joined August 2006
United States5465 Posts
January 11 2008 06:42 GMT
#15
I am starting to lose motivation to continue on my engineering major for similar reasons. Idk, I think I was disillusioned originally with the overall importance of what I would be doing. Unfortunately my real interest, history, doesn't really pay the bills.
BottleAbuser
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
Korea (South)1888 Posts
Last Edited: 2008-01-11 06:56:32
January 11 2008 06:55 GMT
#16
Speaking from my nonexistent personal experience (making shit up if I don't actually know, but at least it sounds right to me):

There are two kinds of research: industrial and fundamental.

Industrial research is the type that's guaranteed to pay off. Like testing 3000 different chemicals, one at a time, on a certain type of cell in a certain state, and recording.... it's temperature, i don't know. Really unexciting, boring stuff. But it pays, and when you do find that one of the candidate drugs works, you can retire. Or just be paid a bonus, depending on your contract and funding. Okay, bad example, as none of the candidates might pay off. But maybe something like finding a better alloy composition for a bullet, or a cheaper way to manufacture silicon wafers, or something might be better.

Fundamental research is, depending on perspective, "pie-in-the-sky" research, or what some people consider the only way to make real advances in science. The guys working with HE particle accelerators come to mind. At least some of them are excited about it.
Compilers are like boyfriends, you miss a period and they go crazy on you.
BottleAbuser
Profile Blog Joined December 2007
Korea (South)1888 Posts
January 11 2008 06:59 GMT
#17
Oh, and aside from the research part, here's my 2 cents on what science means to me:

Science is the system of belief that has been the most consistent and reliable, returning the best results, ever. I can't argue that it's actually more valid than anything else, such as religion, but it's obvious that the results are better.
Compilers are like boyfriends, you miss a period and they go crazy on you.
Xeofreestyler
Profile Blog Joined June 2005
Belgium6771 Posts
January 11 2008 22:04 GMT
#18
I gotta say I certainly had the same view on science (and programming too) when I was younger. After having studied both for quite a while my interest in both remains very firm yet the romantic view I once had has vanished almost completely.
I find that romantic view to be a lot more true in my current studies, so I'm really glad I chose it.
Graphics
ketomai
Profile Joined June 2007
United States2789 Posts
January 12 2008 00:37 GMT
#19
Science is man's attempt to predict the future (whether it is natural or mechanical patterns).
MoRe_mInErAls
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
Canada1210 Posts
January 12 2008 04:31 GMT
#20
I prefer wealth and prestige over intrinsic motivation. In fact, I'd use wealth and prestige to fund intrinsically motivated people and better the world that way.
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 4h 22m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
WinterStarcraft633
Nina 224
Fuzer 74
StarCraft: Brood War
Sea 3712
Noble 41
ggaemo 0
League of Legends
JimRising 751
Counter-Strike
Stewie2K1242
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor109
Other Games
summit1g7269
shahzam1045
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick1042
BasetradeTV51
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 17 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Berry_CruncH244
• practicex 37
• Adnapsc2 10
• intothetv
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
StarCraft: Brood War
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota269
League of Legends
• Doublelift4926
• Lourlo1423
Other Games
• Scarra1539
Upcoming Events
CranKy Ducklings
4h 22m
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
8h 22m
CSO Cup
10h 22m
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
12h 22m
Bonyth vs Sziky
Dewalt vs Hawk
Hawk vs QiaoGege
Sziky vs Dewalt
Mihu vs Bonyth
Zhanhun vs QiaoGege
QiaoGege vs Fengzi
FEL
1d 3h
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
1d 8h
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
1d 12h
Bonyth vs Zhanhun
Dewalt vs Mihu
Hawk vs Sziky
Sziky vs QiaoGege
Mihu vs Hawk
Zhanhun vs Dewalt
Fengzi vs Bonyth
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
Online Event
3 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
4 days
[ Show More ]
The PondCast
5 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Korean StarCraft League
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL Xiamen Invitational
Esports World Cup 2025
Murky Cup #2

Ongoing

Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
BSL20 Non-Korean Championship
BSL Team Wars
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CC Div. A S7
Underdog Cup #2
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25

Upcoming

ASL Season 20: Qualifier #1
ASL Season 20: Qualifier #2
ASL Season 20
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
BSL Season 21
RSL Revival: Season 2
Maestros of the Game
SEL Season 2 Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
FEL Cracov 2025
HCC Europe
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.