Skip to main content

Take off-The First Blog

Hello readers!
I am starting to write today in a hope that I learn to document everything and weave my words correctly on the advice of a Prof at my Institute. I am a jrf at IMSc, Chennai as of now and work on membrane structure. The work is among the many which land up on the interface of Biology and Physics. I started out to be a Biology student who is now reading Physics.

I have named my blog "tishn-a-lab"  which is Urdu for thirst or dryness of lips. It is a very common phrase that you find in poems, mine being from one of Dushyant Kumar's (me gusta el)  ये शफ़क़ शाम हो रही है अब. This title is supposed to convey a couple of things. First, the craving. Being an aspirant for a career in science, you have to always push boundaries of your analytical skills, demand more from the experiment and observation. It never stops. Also, for a larger picture, if you work on one problem, you realize there is so much more that you don't know. YOU HAVE TO GET IT. NO BAIL OUT. To accept that is to commit to this job. I guess I have made a commitment.So I read and read until I sleep (goes on in a cyclic process). For now that is. Ready to do what ever it takes next.
Second, the deprivation. I am also going to use this space to vent out my thoughts on science, politics, social issues, poetry, anime etcetera etcetera. And many will agree that we have a shortage of really basic components in society and administration having which, seem pretty obvious to any logical mind. Surprisingly many of such ideas are not implemented or not even expressed. So here I am, using a faint voice, in a chorus, hoping that the chorus may be appreciated and the song shakes the conscience  of the audience. Metaphorical!! (feeding on Premchand made me this.)
 Of course, the objective is some action in the direction of betterment.

This is all for now. Hope that a few Kb document that this is, evolves into something worthwhile. I will try to write regularly to hone my writing skills.
Sayonara!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Separating Science From the Scientist

In October 2016, Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft organized an exhibition to discuss a famous sculptor of 20th century, Eric Gill. The theme of the exhibition was to discuss Gill's art from a fresh perspective of that of an abuser. Later next year, Kevin Spacey was written off House of Cards where he played the lead role following sexual harassment charges. These, among many others, are attempts of art industry to address some uncomfortable questions -  should art of an abuser be appreciated? or rather,  can art be separated from the artist? On this issue, Ed Siegel compared artists to scientists suggesting that it is crucial to evaluate art separate from the artist just as science is evaluated separate from scientists. This is an interesting observation. It implies that the work matters more than the individual. It also implies that with one or more good results, everything uncomfortable about you, all of your personal or professional misdemeanors, can be brushed under the ca...
Post a Comment
Read more

Is Science a meritocracy?

Update -Finally publishing the draft from dec 2019    Somebody on twitter found it absurd to call science a meritocracy. I would agree to it in the past but now I am not sure.  My prime focus is on marks. It never bothered me until I met two researchers from Max Planck institute in a symposium. Apparently, the grades are taken very seriously in Europe for PhD admission. Just like in India.That is ridiculous on two levels. One, the message it sends out- ONLY high scoring students can, and should be privileged to, make a career in science. Second, the assumption that those students will be good at doing science. Because unlike PhD admission, these may not be followed up with an interview and only based on merit the batch of students is prepared. And the majority, the <85% scoring population, has to look out for other means to show how competent they are. And that is really really worrisome for anyone who wants to increase the engagement of society in STEM o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why so complacent in the high drop out rate?

I had an interview recently at a renowned lab here in India. I admired her work and simply couldn't wait to talk to the PI, tour the lab and telling her that I am a big fan. After the interview, the PI told me about how they are little frugal about lab supplies (and the practice apparently served them well), the 11-12 hour commitment to the lab and their high drop-out rate. All of this was to signify how science-y they are probably. However, I found these practices very uncomfortable. Especially her complacency about the drop-out rate. Indian scientists seem to find a merit in the high drop-out rate from their lab. It is like a badge of honor. Why do you have to assume the reason for them leaving is because you are demanding and/or the student is incompetent? That is stupid. There are numerous reasons a student can quit working with someone. It doesn't necessarily have to be something wrong about the student!  Why do you have to showcase it like a crown? It ...
Post a Comment
Read more