Comments on: Scientist who did groundwork for Chemistry Nobel now works for $10/h at a Toyota dealership http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309249 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309249 Slimgater has a point- Dr Prasher's fame should prove valuable in some circles. Perhaps one might be college tuition. Perhaps another might be a new research position within institutions populated by former colleagues? I know of a few places former GFP scientists have gone... Slimgater has a point- Dr Prasher’s fame should prove valuable in some circles. Perhaps one might be college tuition. Perhaps another might be a new research position within institutions populated by former colleagues? I know of a few places former GFP scientists have gone…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309252 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309252 we need more like this guy... we need more like this guy…

]]> By: Schorsch http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308485 Schorsch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308485 At least his idea wasn't just poached. There's nobility in giving your work so that the science can proceed without you, but nothing but a wretched, futile anger in having someone run off with your idea and bring it to publication before you can. I'm struggling to find the happy middle-ground between being an a-hole and a crappy scientist in order to be successful, and a former-scientist shuttle driver. The speed-accuracy trade off in science has gotten way out of balance. It's no longer necessary to do science well, only to do it fast. The number of contradicted and retracted papers is building, so maybe we'll see another shift. Oh well, back to work... At least his idea wasn’t just poached. There’s nobility in giving your work so that the science can proceed without you, but nothing but a wretched, futile anger in having someone run off with your idea and bring it to publication before you can.

I’m struggling to find the happy middle-ground between being an a-hole and a crappy scientist in order to be successful, and a former-scientist shuttle driver. The speed-accuracy trade off in science has gotten way out of balance. It’s no longer necessary to do science well, only to do it fast. The number of contradicted and retracted papers is building, so maybe we’ll see another shift. Oh well, back to work…

]]> By: Kenny Mann http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308486 Kenny Mann Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308486 Despite the star system, EVERYTHING is a team sport, except that sometimes a team player contributes long after he's been sent to the minors and beyond. Despite the star system, EVERYTHING is a team sport, except that sometimes a team player contributes long after he’s been sent to the minors and beyond.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309256 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309256 I wonder why he hasn't considered teaching. Pays much more than $10/hr. Seems like he's well suited to make a contribution to developing minds. I wonder why he hasn’t considered teaching. Pays much more than $10/hr. Seems like he’s well suited to make a contribution to developing minds.

]]> By: treeforest http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309258 treeforest Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309258 Orbiter, don't call Paris Hilton a whore, she has her place too at $10/hour she might be worth it. Good relaxation for an exhausted scientist to recharge his batteries. Kissyyou, only if you charge $10/hour. Kind of makes Cuban Socialism look like the answer, Yes? Viva Che'! Orbiter, don’t call Paris Hilton a whore, she has her place too at $10/hour she might be worth it. Good relaxation for an exhausted scientist to recharge his batteries.
Kissyyou, only if you charge $10/hour.

Kind of makes Cuban Socialism look like the answer, Yes? Viva Che’!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309268 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309268 Can we give him the Nobel Prize for Integrity? Can we give him the Nobel Prize for Integrity?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309278 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309278 can he at least get a raise? can he at least get a raise?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309280 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309280 Yeah, my Ecology teacher was talking about him a couple days ago. At least he's getting some decent publicity so he might get a better job... Yeah, my Ecology teacher was talking about him a couple days ago. At least he’s getting some decent publicity so he might get a better job…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309284 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309284 Making a comparison to Paris Hilton is erroneous. Although a shallow person, Paris has succeeded in "branding" herself, asomethng that many aspire to but cannot achieve for whatever reason. There is no government money going into Paris Hilton. There is public money going into research, but far less than what used to be. You can all thank Bush's war on science for this. But when we lose our edge in science and technology, then we lose our position as a global leader in economics and security. R & D and progress go hand in hand and that is why we should be funding more of this as opposed to useless wars and other forms of squandering our resources. America is a sad place and is a fraction of what she used to be. Making a comparison to Paris Hilton is erroneous. Although a shallow person, Paris has succeeded in “branding” herself, asomethng that many aspire to but cannot achieve for whatever reason. There is no government money going into Paris Hilton. There is public money going into research, but far less than what used to be. You can all thank Bush’s war on science for this. But when we lose our edge in science and technology, then we lose our position as a global leader in economics and security. R & D and progress go hand in hand and that is why we should be funding more of this as opposed to useless wars and other forms of squandering our resources. America is a sad place and is a fraction of what she used to be.

]]> By: crenelle http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308775 crenelle Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308775 Basic scientific research has not been a priority for the US for the last few years, unless the funding has some military origin. Witness the wacky way we have to fund Fermilab these days. Check out the loss of the Superconducting Supercollider years ago, and note that CERN over in Europe has a nice new shiny LHC. If I were Dr. Prasher, I would be on the laptop at home working hard to grind out some funding applications with that nifty publicity he's been getting to lend him a little bit of edge. Magnificent, Dr. Prasher. Carry on! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Prasher Basic scientific research has not been a priority for the US for the last few years, unless the funding has some military origin. Witness the wacky way we have to fund Fermilab these days. Check out the loss of the Superconducting Supercollider years ago, and note that CERN over in Europe has a nice new shiny LHC.

If I were Dr. Prasher, I would be on the laptop at home working hard to grind out some funding applications with that nifty publicity he’s been getting to lend him a little bit of edge.

Magnificent, Dr. Prasher. Carry on!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Prasher

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309287 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309287 The real shame is that this guy is working as a driver instead of in his field. What a waste. And what might the world miss because of it? The real shame is that this guy is working as a driver instead of in his field. What a waste. And what might the world miss because of it?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309295 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309295 Actually, I disagree with many posterers above. The NSF, since '88, have been touting a perennial shortage of scientists and engineers but then when they graduate, they face a dwindling pool of jobs. The issue has never been addressed since the 90s. All academic institutions have turned a blind eye to the now, near 1 million "gypsy" scholars (including humanities PhDs) who can only get part-time one or two course teaching stints, instead of a real job. Imagine that, a highly educated group of wanderers and in America, a country how many times more wealthy than eastern Europe? This person could have gotten into a pharmacy a/o with the right MCAT coaching, medical school, w/o too many problems. Afterwards, he'd pretty much have a job for life given the demographics of the aging population. That's a $90K to $250K per year job, perhaps less if he decides to moonlight instead of doing it full-time. There's no way this guy should have to work at a Toyota dealer unless he's really got a thing for showcasing new Priuses or some other auto fetish. Actually, I disagree with many posterers above. The NSF, since ’88, have been touting a perennial shortage of scientists and engineers but then when they graduate, they face a dwindling pool of jobs. The issue has never been addressed since the 90s. All academic institutions have turned a blind eye to the now, near 1 million “gypsy” scholars (including humanities PhDs) who can only get part-time one or two course teaching stints, instead of a real job. Imagine that, a highly educated group of wanderers and in America, a country how many times more wealthy than eastern Europe?

This person could have gotten into a pharmacy a/o with the right MCAT coaching, medical school, w/o too many problems. Afterwards, he’d pretty much have a job for life given the demographics of the aging population. That’s a $90K to $250K per year job, perhaps less if he decides to moonlight instead of doing it full-time. There’s no way this guy should have to work at a Toyota dealer unless he’s really got a thing for showcasing new Priuses or some other auto fetish.

]]> By: zuzu http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308276 zuzu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308276 Just like in <i><a href="http://www.amctv.com/originals/breakingbad/" rel="nofollow">Breaking Bad</a></i>. Just like in Breaking Bad.

]]> By: momology http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309302 momology Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309302 The market force of competition did not serve us well here. The "invsible hand" is nonsense as these are all human constructs and we should be directing them. This is a good example why those who assume that a person is defined by their livelihood are wrong. All work is useful. Everyone should be given respect. Even waitresses who aren't Phd's etc.The shame of it is that he cannot apply his expertise or have enough time after his toil to pursue his interests.I don't know if Cuba has solved these problems but I do know that Communist China has not. But then they are just totalarian/fascist capitalists. The market force of competition did not serve us well here. The “invsible hand” is nonsense as these are all human constructs and we should be directing them. This is a good example why those who assume that a person is defined by their livelihood are wrong. All work is useful. Everyone should be given respect. Even waitresses who aren’t Phd’s etc.The shame of it is that he cannot apply his expertise or have enough time after his toil to pursue his interests.I don’t know if Cuba has solved these problems but I do know that Communist China has not. But then they are just totalarian/fascist capitalists.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309303 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309303 I work in science and the current funding situation is terrible!!! Really good scientists lose their jobs because of the BS funding situation. There is ALWAYS more money for bullets, and tanks though. It is personally reassuring to me that my goverment thinks its a much better idea to send 8 cruise missiles at 2 million a pop to bomb a mud hut in pakistan than support my research. This guy personifies this - my new hero! I work in science and the current funding situation is terrible!!!

Really good scientists lose their jobs because of the BS funding situation. There is ALWAYS more money for bullets, and tanks though. It is personally reassuring to me that my goverment thinks its a much better idea to send 8 cruise missiles at 2 million a pop to bomb a mud hut in pakistan than support my research.

This guy personifies this – my new hero!

]]> By: Honkytowner http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308802 Honkytowner Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308802 "Fellow colleague"? (Paragraph 4). One of these words is redundant - your choice - as they both mean the same thing! “Fellow colleague”? (Paragraph 4).

One of these words is redundant – your choice – as they both mean the same thing!

]]> By: Sekino http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308292 Sekino Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308292 <i>"When you're using public funds, I personally believe you have an obligation to share," Prasher said. "I put my heart and soul into it, but if I kept that stuff, it wasn't gonna go anyplace." </i> Holy cow, nobility isn't dead! He'd deserve the prize to outline his care and integrity towards his field alone. Wow. “When you’re using public funds, I personally believe you have an obligation to share,” Prasher said. “I put my heart and soul into it, but if I kept that stuff, it wasn’t gonna go anyplace.”

Holy cow, nobility isn’t dead! He’d deserve the prize to outline his care and integrity towards his field alone. Wow.

]]> By: The Lizardman http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308297 The Lizardman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308297 He deserves better than a nobel prize. He deserves better than a nobel prize.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309323 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309323 This guy truly is a scientist. It is sad to see intelligent men like him not being able to apply themselves to extent of their abilities. This guy truly is a scientist. It is sad to see intelligent men like him not being able to apply themselves to extent of their abilities.

]]> By: zootboing http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308565 zootboing Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308565 I'd give him extra EXTRA points for taking that job and keeping food on the table. A lot of guys in his position might be tempted to not "lower themselves" and instead stay at home muttering, "Here I am, brain the size of a friggin' planet..." leaving the wife and kids to deal while he wallowed in his own misery. There's no shame in any day of honest work, and if you're looking for a "Sign from God"....it's down the street, dude, and it says "McDonalds is Hiring". (Says the science chick with the mad grant management/non-profit tax analysis skilz 'cuz she worked as a data monkey to get her own ass through grad school.) I’d give him extra EXTRA points for taking that job and keeping food on the table.

A lot of guys in his position might be tempted to not “lower themselves” and instead stay at home muttering, “Here I am, brain the size of a friggin’ planet…” leaving the wife and kids to deal while he wallowed in his own misery.

There’s no shame in any day of honest work, and if you’re looking for a “Sign from God”….it’s down the street, dude, and it says “McDonalds is Hiring”.

(Says the science chick with the mad grant management/non-profit tax analysis skilz ‘cuz she worked as a data monkey to get her own ass through grad school.)

]]> By: Chevan http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308316 Chevan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308316 >Holy cow, nobility isn't dead! He'd deserve the prize to outline his care and integrity towards his field alone. Wow. If I was one of the three recipients I'd try to talk the rest into cutting the check four ways instead of three and giving part to him. >Holy cow, nobility isn’t dead! He’d deserve the prize to outline his care and integrity towards his field alone. Wow.

If I was one of the three recipients I’d try to talk the rest into cutting the check four ways instead of three and giving part to him.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309343 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309343 Nobility is important and so is a good reputation. His situation reveals a deeper person than what can be seen. He is a man of character and integrity. Something we can all look up to and aspire for. We need more men (and women) with character and integrity!! Well? We all know his name: Prasher. Who are the three who won the Nobel Prize? His name is better know by the public not because of his research... but because of his character; not because of what he did but WHAT he is!! Nobility is important and so is a good reputation. His situation reveals a deeper person than what can be seen. He is a man of character and integrity. Something we can all look up to and aspire for.
We need more men (and women) with character and integrity!!

Well? We all know his name: Prasher.
Who are the three who won the Nobel Prize?
His name is better know by the public not because of his research… but because of his character; not because of what he did but WHAT he is!!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308321 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308321 #3 - I agree he deserves better than a Nobel Prize. Perhaps he scould be the inaugural winner of the Sharing Prize… #3 – I agree he deserves better than a Nobel Prize. Perhaps he scould be the inaugural winner of the Sharing Prize…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309089 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309089 His colleagues addressed and credited him as best as possible given the limitations of the award. Sure, it would be nice if they split the money, but perhaps that's in the future. His colleagues addressed and credited him as best as possible given the limitations of the award. Sure, it would be nice if they split the money, but perhaps that’s in the future.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309346 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309346 Oh that we were all so noble and gracious. Seems he has a pure heart. Oh that we were all so noble and gracious. Seems he has a pure heart.

]]> By: Secret_Life_of_Plants http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308323 Secret_Life_of_Plants Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308323 @4 posted by Chevan, Me too...I wouldn't feel right about not sharing the prize. @4 posted by Chevan,

Me too…I wouldn’t feel right about not sharing the prize.

]]> By: Stefan Jones http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-308324 Stefan Jones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-308324 He ended up at the Toyota Dealership after he dabbled in Things Man was Not Meant to Know. As he left the Academy he was heard to mutter "Mad? I'll show them mad! Bwah-hah-Hah-HAH!" He ended up at the Toyota Dealership after he dabbled in Things Man was Not Meant to Know.

As he left the Academy he was heard to mutter “Mad? I’ll show them mad! Bwah-hah-Hah-HAH!”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309093 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309093 Contrast this gentleman's situation with the Yahoo story about Dalonte Hill, an assistant basketball coach at Kansas State, who makes $420K/yr. This is quite a country we live in! Contrast this gentleman’s situation with the Yahoo story about Dalonte Hill, an assistant basketball coach at Kansas State, who makes $420K/yr. This is quite a country we live in!

]]> By: Chironomid http://boingboing.net/2008/10/14/scientist-who-did-gr.html#comment-309098 Chironomid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-309098 Japan wins. Russia wins. China and India win. We have grant programs for the most ridiculous things imaginable, and yet a mind like this sits on the bench. We do need change. Japan wins. Russia wins. China and India win. We have grant programs for the most ridiculous things imaginable, and yet a mind like this sits on the bench. We do need change.

]]>