• Question: what is the most boring thing about science?

    Asked by to Tom, David on 27 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: David Davila

      David Davila answered on 27 Jun 2014:

      Probably when things go slow. There will always be times when the only way to move forward is to analyze a lot of data and there aren’t any fancy computer programs to do it for you, you just have to do it by hand.

      In my last lab, this meant counting cells. There were occasionally points where someone would have a ton of pictures of mouse brains (which is awesome) but the only way to figure out what was happening with all of these cells glowing in the dark (which is also awesome) was to sit and count thousands of cells in different areas.

      Maybe it’s different for other fields, but when you’re not moving forward, getting information or reaching conclusions, the steps in between can be tiring and difficult.

    • Photo: Thomas Smith

      Thomas Smith answered on 27 Jun 2014:

      There are a few things I find boring. Sometimes science involves a lot of boring (but necessary) form-filling. For my next trip to Borneo, I have had to fill in a twelve page form explaining all of the risks that I might encounter, and how I will try to reduce the risk of me getting killed! I suppose these things are important, but it can really slow things down.

      For me, it can get really boring if the weather isn’t on your side. I’ve spent a few weeks trying to measure fires in Northumberland in the UK, but if it rains, you might have to wait three days before the land will burn. There are always things to get on with, but I don’t like waiting around for the sun to shine! That’s why I prefer working in places like Australia, where you guarantee sunshine for months and months on end!

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