Do you find yourself baffled sometimes when really you shouldn't be?

[Amanda C]

I've been a science major for three years now. Lately, I find myself noticing the people around me in school who are non-science majors and thus have no clue about the very building blocks of life that I've spent hours on end studying.

I might sound crazy, but it baffles me to think about how much people have no idea of what goes on in the world of science.

For instance, we were discussing atomic bombs in my political science class, and my professor asks the very simple question "does anyone know what an atom is?" ----- only to look into the 35 blank faces staring back at him, looking clueless. I started to feel bad for them. But then I thought of how lucky I am to have chosen what I'm studying right now. I guess some people have a mind for it and some don't.

But for those who don't - what's wrong with them ?! 🙂

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[CrazyFox]

Ohhh, I find myself baffled all the time since I came here.🙂

 

[rjm546]

There are things that they are studying that you will never know also

 

[UES Girl]

I've been a science major for three years now. Lately, I find myself noticing the people around me in school who are non-science majors and thus have no clue about the very building blocks of life that I've spent hours on end studying.

I might sound crazy, but it baffles me to think about how much people have no idea of what goes on in the world of science.

For instance, we were discussing atomic bombs in my political science class, and my professor asks the very simple question "does anyone know what an atom is?" ----- only to look into the 35 blank faces staring back at him, looking clueless. I started to feel bad for them. But then I thought of how lucky I am to have chosen what I'm studying right now. I guess some people have a mind for it and some don't.

But for those who don't - what's wrong with them ?! 🙂

A few months ago I was taking a sociology class where we had to do themed reports on certain topics every class and present it to your classmates. One of the topics was violence and I've gone all out and found this really interesting scientific article about a specific gene at a certain locus that has alternating alleles and one of these alternating alleles which is extremely rare has been linked to individuals with extreme violent behavior - killers, maniacs. I can't remember the exact science but the faulty allele encoded an enzyme that had one amino acid different that disrupted it's proper folding/structure and prevented it from acting on some hormone.

Anyhow, I presented it to my classmates and said - this is sooo cool, we can now test if individual is genetically predisposed to violence. i could tell they understood nothing because one of the girls looked at me and said: So ??? They've always been able to do that, isn't that what they do, test your genes, when a nurse draws your blood at the doctor's office.

 

[shunsistoesis]

lol i guess 'atom' should be basic enough for non-science ppl to know about..but really it's all about perspective right? a class of history students could also feel very grateful that they've known more about the cold war than its face value and be baffled by the possibility that science majors would take it as 'bird courses' to boost their grades (as an example..)

it's a good idea to keep an open mind on these things..not saying that science is not a great subject but it's just different ppl have different opinions

 

[UES Girl]

There are things that they are studying that you will never know also

I agree, I studied classical music for 7 years and I probably know a lot more about classical music than most folks, yet looking back I am now gratefull that I haven't chosen to be a pianist because I'd much rather now how life works than be a musician/social actvist or even a writer.

 

[Amanda C]

There are things that they are studying that you will never know also

That's a good point. I think it's because science is all I ever have been thinking about for the past 3 years so I sometimes forget that there are other majors lol 😀

 

[UES Girl]

That's a good point. I think it's because science is all I ever have been thinking about for the past 3 years so I sometimes forget that there are other majors lol 😀

At least you are nice about it, my ex, a major troll btw, used to say: The world consists of two kinds of people - scientists and non-scientists, the non-scientists are either filler people or pure waste of oxygen. Those were his exact words.😱😱😱 In fact there is a novel by American science writer, can't remeber his name at the moment, but it's about a planet populated by scientists that got rid of all the non-scientific people on the planet.👎

 

[medicalCPA]

In the same vein, an accounting major would think it's preposterous that everyone does not know of the far reaching implications of Sarbanes-Oxley.

 

[PharmDstudent]

This is such a cute thread! (Oh and by the way... I have a liberal arts degree --> in a foreign language to be specific. 😉)

 

[UES Girl]

This is such a cute thread! (Oh and by the way... I have a liberal arts degree. 😉)

I just hope this thread doesn't turn into the my major is superior to yours thread. Because every major has something to bring to the table.

 

[PharmDstudent]

I just hope this thread doesn't turn into the my major is superior to yours thread. because every major has something to bring to the table.

Some people really think that biochem is superior to biology, zoology, microbiology, etc. It's strange to me.

 

[lastmagus]

I've been a science major for three years now. Lately, I find myself noticing the people around me in school who are non-science majors and thus have no clue about the very building blocks of life that I've spent hours on end studying.

I might sound crazy, but it baffles me to think about how much people have no idea of what goes on in the world of science.

For instance, we were discussing atomic bombs in my political science class, and my professor asks the very simple question "does anyone know what an atom is?" ----- only to look into the 35 blank faces staring back at him, looking clueless. I started to feel bad for them. But then I thought of how lucky I am to have chosen what I'm studying right now. I guess some people have a mind for it and some don't.

But for those who don't - what's wrong with them ?! 🙂

It is really not funny. A certain amount of knowledge on science should be part of any educated persons repertoire. Keep in mind the people you are exposed to are university students. The people "out there" know even less. Most current scientific/public disputes are borne of ignorance and straw man arguments that have become the defining feature of science. For instance, people think evolution just says that people came from apes. Or that stem cells involve taking an 8 month old fetus and putting it in a blender. This public view leads to a reduction in funding and a lack of trust in science as a whole. Its funny to say, but science needs an Einstein of this era to serve as a PR man (or woman).

*climbs off soapbox*

 

[Amanda C]

I just hope this thread doesn't turn into the my major is superior to yours thread. Because every major has something to bring to the table.

You are quite right. I do appreciate all majors, don't get me wrong.

I think it's just the fact that I am around science students, professors, books, tests, homework, all the time, that when I take a step out into my normal life, I forget that there are other people out there too 🙂

My boyfriend always argues with me that he is better because he's a physics major and physics is behind all sciences. He claims that since he knows physics he knows all science. Of course he just says it to get me riled up but indeed it does 😱

That's not cool about your ex. But I do know that a lot of scientists are arrogant. It's just in their nature I guess..

 

[PharmDstudent]

That's not cool about your ex. But I do know that a lot of scientists are arrogant. It's just in their nature I guess..

A lot of lib arts majors are arrogant too. You can't make any kind of conclusions around them, because they'll always answer: "Well... it depends. It could be ____ or ____. You can't assume ____. It depends on the person and their situation."
My point is that they're always right due to "uncertainty" which is completely opposite of analytical majors. They always know that it could be something else. 😕 (This is exactly why I switched out of Psychology.)

 

[Amanda C]

This is such a cute thread! (Oh and by the way... I have a liberal arts degree --> in a foreign language to be specific. 😉)

That is a great thing, I wish I knew another language 😎

I bet that makes you pretty valuable.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Also, a lot of non-science professors are so narrow-minded that they can't see beyond their own interpretations. I had a professor who believed that every written work exhibited a feministic undertone. It drove me crazy! My friend, who had the same major that I had, would almost always get lower scores than I would, because he didn't "see" how something could be feministic. Basically, if he didn't bring up something that the professor believed to be evident/relevant, she would take points off. Thankfully, he wasn't caught up in grades, so it didn't really bother him. He liked chasing felines more than getting good grades... if you know what I mean.

 

[PharmDstudent]

That is a great thing, I wish I knew another language 😎

I bet that makes you pretty valuable.

Unfortunately, I am less valuable than I would like.

Ok... let me go. I'll stop hogging the thread. 😛

 

[mrblah]

I've been a electrical engineering major for three years now. Lately, I find myself noticing the people around me in school who are non-engineering majors and thus have no clue about schematics that I've spent hours on end studying.

I might sound crazy, but it baffles me to think about how much people have no idea of what goes on in the world of electrical engineering.

For instance, we were discussing atomic bombs in my political science class, and my professor asks the very simple question "does anyone know what an atom is?" ----- only to look into the 35 blank faces staring back at him, looking clueless. I started to feel bad for them. But then I thought of how lucky I am to have chosen what I'm studying right now. I guess some people have a mind for it and some don't.

But for those who don't - what's wrong with them ?! 🙂




Is there really a world outside of biology?

 

[UES Girl]

Unfortunately, I am less valuable than I would like.

Ok... let me go. I'll stop hogging the thread. 😛

Which language, may I ask ?

 

[Amanda C]

I've been a electrical engineering major for three years now. Lately, I find myself noticing the people around me in school who are non-engineering majors and thus have no clue about schematics that I've spent hours on end studying.

I might sound crazy, but it baffles me to think about how much people have no idea of what goes on in the world of electrical engineering.

For instance, we were discussing atomic bombs in my political science class, and my professor asks the very simple question "does anyone know what an atom is?" ----- only to look into the 35 blank faces staring back at him, looking clueless. I started to feel bad for them. But then I thought of how lucky I am to have chosen what I'm studying right now. I guess some people have a mind for it and some don't.

But for those who don't - what's wrong with them ?! 🙂




Is there really a world outside of biology?

Well, if you had read my further posts you'd notice how I expressed my appreciation toward other majors and that since I am totally surrounded by my major that I sometimes become disconnected from others around me who aren't in mine.

So, there really was no need for that.

 

[shunsistoesis]

Well, if you had read my further posts you'd notice how I expressed my appreciation toward other majors and that since I am totally surrounded by my major that I sometimes become disconnected from others around me who aren't in mine.

So, there really was no need for that.

lol.. agreed. let's not make this into a bickering thread.

 

[Amanda C]

lol.. agreed. let's not make this into a bickering thread.

Haha, thanks 😀 I'm a lover not a fighter.

 

[mrblah]

Well, if you had read my further posts you'd notice how I expressed my appreciation toward other majors and that since I am totally surrounded by my major that I sometimes become disconnected from others around me who aren't in mine.

So, there really was no need for that.

just letting you know how your post sounds like from the viewpoint of others.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Which language, may I ask ?

For the sake of anonymity, I'll tell you indirectly. Ich speche Deutsch.

 

[OKgirl]

For instance, people think evolution just says that people came from apes. Or that stem cells involve taking an 8 month old fetus and putting it in a blender. This public view leads to a reduction in funding and a lack of trust in science as a whole.

😱 I has this exact discussion the other day with another fellow pre-pharm person (she argued that what you just said was true). I'm also amazed by the lack of knowledge by science majors!

 

[UES Girl]

For the sake of anonymity, I'll tell you indirectly. Ich speche Deutsch.

Hehehe, that wasn't very anonymous or hard to decipher.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Hehehe, that wasn't very anonymous or hard to decipher.

It is if someone does an SDN search for its English translation. 😉

 

[goinkhead]

im baffled by this post....

I've been a science major for three years now. Lately, I find myself noticing the people around me in school who are non-science majors and thus have no clue about the very building blocks of life that I've spent hours on end studying.

I might sound crazy, but it baffles me to think about how much people have no idea of what goes on in the world of science.

For instance, we were discussing atomic bombs in my political science class, and my professor asks the very simple question "does anyone know what an atom is?" ----- only to look into the 35 blank faces staring back at him, looking clueless. I started to feel bad for them. But then I thought of how lucky I am to have chosen what I'm studying right now. I guess some people have a mind for it and some don't.

But for those who don't - what's wrong with them ?! 🙂

 

[Amanda C]

just letting you know how your post sounds like from the viewpoint of others.

That's fair. But I really didn't mean for it to sound the way you were implying.

 

[Amanda C]

im baffled by this post....

Oh come on, have a sense of humor 😀


I didn't mean it to be mean. If I didn't like the people who have no scientific knowledge it would mean I didn't like almost all of my family and friends. That wouldn't be too fun. 🙁

 

[medicalCPA]

Come on, people. Did no one get my Sarbanes-Oxley reference?

And PharmDstudent: Guten tag!

 

[UES Girl]

Come on, people. Did no one get my Sarbanes-Oxley reference?

And PharmDstudent: Guten tag!

I only know Hende Hoh, Hitler Kaput !

 

[Amanda C]

They've always been able to do that, isn't that what they do, test your genes, when a nurse draws your blood at the doctor's office.

That is pretty funny though 🙂

 

[medicalCPA]

I only know Hende Hoh, Hitler Kaput !

I don't even know what that means, except the last part!

 

[Farmercyst]

Come on, people. Did no one get my Sarbanes-Oxley reference?

And PharmDstudent: Guten tag!

I did, but only because I had a position marginally affected by it.

 

[UES Girl]

I don't even know what that means, except the last part!

I think it means raise your hands, like hands up ??? I always hear in in WW2 movies. I have a thing for WW2 books/movies. Just because my family was so affected by it.

 

[laimyours]

I've been a science major for three years now. Lately, I find myself noticing the people around me in school who are non-science majors and thus have no clue about the very building blocks of life that I've spent hours on end studying.

I might sound crazy, but it baffles me to think about how much people have no idea of what goes on in the world of science.

For instance, we were discussing atomic bombs in my political science class, and my professor asks the very simple question "does anyone know what an atom is?" ----- only to look into the 35 blank faces staring back at him, looking clueless. I started to feel bad for them. But then I thought of how lucky I am to have chosen what I'm studying right now. I guess some people have a mind for it and some don't.

But for those who don't - what's wrong with them ?! 🙂

I totally get what you mean. When i started college i was just taking random classes, i think i wanted to be an art major? I had already been working in a pharmacy for 2 years, never saw it as a long term career. I sort of got the job accidentally when i was 16 getting my first job. Now, I really think it was fate. If i hadn't gotten the job in pharmacy i would have never considered being a pharmacist (i didn't even know what a pharmacist was). And while taking my pre-reqs i've grown to LOVE biology. I use to HATE school, now i love it because i'm always learning interesting things. I'm ok with people not knowing about biology, i know nothing about business. But, while working in retail pharmacy, i've noticed theres a good majority of people out there that can't even make a decision for themselves. They ask me what shampoo to use (am i a hair dresser?) or what toothpaste is the best (am i a dentist?), i also always get asked "where is the bathroom?". It's like these people are totally incapable of reading or thinking. How do they survive, i mean they can't even call in a refill for their heart medication before they run out. 🙁

 

[PharmDstudent]

Come on, people. Did no one get my Sarbanes-Oxley reference?

And PharmDstudent: Guten tag!

Guten Tag! Wie gehts dir?

 

[rxlynn]

I've been a science major for three years now. Lately, I find myself noticing the people around me in school who are non-science majors and thus have no clue about the very building blocks of life that I've spent hours on end studying.

I might sound crazy, but it baffles me to think about how much people have no idea of what goes on in the world of science.

For instance, we were discussing atomic bombs in my political science class, and my professor asks the very simple question "does anyone know what an atom is?" ----- only to look into the 35 blank faces staring back at him, looking clueless. I started to feel bad for them. But then I thought of how lucky I am to have chosen what I'm studying right now. I guess some people have a mind for it and some don't.

But for those who don't - what's wrong with them ?! 🙂

I often have felt the same way. I believe that some of the issue actually falls with K-12 education in this country. Many students don't get good science teaching when they are younger that shows them how science can be relevant to everyday life. Plus, many people are discouraged (either overtly or indirectly) from pursuing science and math because those areas are seen as "harder" or "nerdy". I feel very fortunate to have had parents and friends at the time in my life when I was trying to decide what field to pursue who supported me in thinking about science.

 

[Amanda C]

I often have felt the same way. I believe that some of the issue actually falls with K-12 education in this country. Many students don't get good science teaching when they are younger that shows them how science can be relevant to everyday life. Plus, many people are discouraged (either overtly or indirectly) from pursuing science and math because those areas are seen as "harder" or "nerdy". I feel very fortunate to have had parents and friends at the time in my life when I was trying to decide what field to pursue who supported me in thinking about science.

I agree. I don't really believe that nobody knew what and atom was. I think a lot of it has to do with the lack of enough knowledge to explain it in an intelligent way.

Again I am not downgrading other majors.. just saying I think that had a lot to do with it.

 

[AngelaCL]

People have different interests. I got my undergrad degree in Psych because it was interesting to me, and I really resented when people said that Liberal Arts degrees were for dummies or whatever. I did work hard in my major (okay, my prereqs for pharm school were hardest, but Intro to Philosophy was pretty tricky too!).

Everybody has different strengths. Some people are great at chemistry but can't write a paper to save their lives. Some have a head for history and get totally lost in physics or calculus. I consider myself a decent writer and have a good head for science, but I would be lost in engineering or computer programming classes. If everybody was only interested in/did well at science then the world would be lacking great literature, media, advances in computers, etc.

 

[DoctorRx1986]

Amanda, hi. My name is Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH, and I'm going to KILL my enemy, Hydrochloric acid, HCl to produce my best friends water and sodium chloride! That's right....If you don't get it, allow me to explain. It is much better for those students or individuals who know nothing about atoms or molecules or science to remain uninformed about these subjects than it is for a group of supposedly educated nursing students to have a completely absurd understanding about what atoms and molecules actually are. In one study made to assess the chemistry knowledge of nursing students at a particular university, the results demonstrated that these students actually believed atoms and molecules ARE LIVING BEINGS just like cells. They truly believed that the major constituents of all matter around us are alive and perform basic living functions such as metabolism and respiration. How's that for a complete misunderstanding and absolute ignorance of chemistry? I'm sure these students would believe sodium hydroxide is a predator organism that likes to FEED on certain prey such as hydrochloric acid. I have no clue how these students even passed their basic chemistry courses and moved on to their nursing majors.