In Article <3eo47j$rde at cville-srv.wam.umd.edu> "theoblit at wam.umd.edu (Jason Taylor)" says:
> Re: writing: Now give the old timers a break. They do more than
> write proposals, etc. They think sometimes too. By the way, just
> because you write, that doesn't make you a writer, which I wouldthink
> means someone who writes fiction or non-fiction books or popular
> articles for a living; I mean, if you are a scientist who changes your
> own oil does that suddenly make you a mechanic too?
> --
> Jason Taylor | "Doctor, don't cut so deep!
> | That's the third operating table you've ruined this week!"
>
No, not at all. However, if they changed oil in order to pay part of
their salaries and keep their labs afloat, and used car fixing as a medium
for the exchange of ideas, then yup, I'd call them mechanics at least
part of the time. I certainly did not wish to demean "the old-timers" in
my comment about writing, and as for thinking, I figured that was just
part of the package of writing (now don't get cute here!). Most faculty
members I know write about the science that is done in their labs and other
labs in their field in order to sustain themselves and their labs. I am
also believe that science uncommunicated is science undone, which makes
writing every bit as important in my view of science as pipetting.
(Flame off.)
Kev
