Re: [ECOLOG-L] Fear and Intimidation Results partial 110824

[Aaron T. Dossey]

Today I called someone at the National Academy and asked why there are 
no postdocs are on their new committee to evaluate the structure of the 
"science enterprise" as it impacts and is impacted by career prospects 
for postdocs (I am paraphrasing as I understand the study - it is a 
re-visiting of the 2000 COSEPUP study) (see article URL 
below).


http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/08/natl-academies.html

Amid a long explanation of their plans, and a lengthy but possibly 
fruitful conversation, one of the things I was disturbed by was a 
partial answer to my concern: "... because we don't care what they 
 say".  In context, I believe the real point 
of the sentence was to describe why their committee contains older 
"luminaries" in science who aren't in the fray of fighting over grants 
and their careers like younger faculty are - which does make some 
sense.  However, the whole celebrity worship in science I think is 
directly related to the low regard that is given to younger scientists 
trying to establish careers.  I still maintain that it is a little 
irrational to have high hopes for this study resulting in much positive 
change for postdocs and young scientists given that they don't have any 
representation on the committee.  It's not that the older guard of 
science are all out to exploit postdocs or prevent us from competing 
with them, but what does someone know about the current plight of the 
young starting scientist who hasn't entered a lab in 20-30 years?  (or, 
in the case of the director of the National Postdoc Association, who is 
neither a scientist nor a Ph.D.?). 



To answer Wayne's question: Oppressive hierarchy, entrenched senses of 
entitlement, rigid establishment structure... the usual root of societal 
ills :) .   You can test this:  go into any scientific forum online and 
say something negative about tenure or spousal hiring. ;) 



Aaron T. Dossey, Ph.D.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
http://www.allthingsbugs.com/Curriculum_Vitae.pdf



On 8/24/2011 9:32 PM, Wayne Tyson wrote:

Ecolog:

Among the several poignant responses received, this is one of the saddest about 
why some people don't post contributions to Ecolog Forum discussions:

". . . because I'm just a student that my opinion isn't worthwhile even if it does 
make a good point."

Somehow, somewhere in the length and breadth of academia, there are reasons why 
students come to this kind of conclusion.

Why?


WT

[ECOLOG-L] Fear and Intimidation Results partial 110824

[Wayne Tyson]

Ecolog:

Among the several poignant responses received, this is one of the saddest about 
why some people don't post contributions to Ecolog Forum discussions:

". . . because I'm just a student that my opinion isn't worthwhile even if it 
does make a good point." 

Somehow, somewhere in the length and breadth of academia, there are reasons why 
students come to this kind of conclusion. 

Why?


WT