A few of this week's articles in C&EN:
- A neat set of cover stories on chemistry-related startups, edited by Lisa Jarvis.
- The SLIPS Technology story by Michael McCoy is pretty cool; I dunno why, but I love this idea.
- Say, isn't Twist Biosciences doing what Cambrian Genomics was doing/claiming to do as well? (article by Celia Henry Arnaud)
- I really like the art that goes with it, too.
- This protein/palladium chemistry paper in Nature is kinda amazing, in my opinion. (story by Bethany Halford.)
- Nice article covering NOBCChe's annual meeting, by Jeff Huber.
- Someone is grumpy about Big Pharma in Boston. (starts with some fair complaints, to be sure.)
- Someone else is grumpy about the term ab initio.
- I see ACS folks were in Havana recently; fascinating. (article by Lori Brown)
Am surprised/shocked/disappointed/puzzled at the outcome of the presidential election. Why would a candidate who realistically recognized the employment situation of our colleagues and who was willing to personally interact with the members lose to one who simply advertised "feel good" propaganda and would not interact with the members? Are we in Burundi or the US?
ReplyDeleteThe "Chemjobber Bump" continues its traditional outcome. Sorry Bryan, I did appreciate your appearances here.
ReplyDeleteI, for one, sincerely hope Bryan continues to contribute around here.
DeleteThank you, CJ, and Anon 3:40 and 4:01. I have to admit to not really knowing what to say, other than to say thanks for your support, encouragement, and suggestions. My guess at this point (a week after the election results) is that I will continue to volunteer for the things that matter to me - employment issues, members, and science education - but I've also gotten involved in civic and educational volunteer work in my community, and perhaps that will be my focus.
ReplyDeleteIn any event, I'll still follow this blog and offer comments where constructive! And I will always post with my real name (just a habit, I guess).
Hi BB,
ReplyDeleteActually, you do know my real name: Anon 3:50 PM = GC
Indeed, I do, GC aka Anon 3:50 PM! And thanks again for sharing your thoughts. I do still believe the ACS needs to remain relevant to all its members, regardless of election outcomes.
DeleteI am still trying to understand the qualitative results of the election. Who are these people who would chose to ignore the employment crisis? Are they university professors, whose careers depend on an unfettered supply of cheap, optimistic labor, i.e. graduate students? Are they people whose psychology amounts to "I'm doing all right, and therefore everyone else is, too"?
ReplyDeleteOn a related issue, I finally cast my vote for the Division of Organic Chemistry. Looking through the candidates' profiles, they were, indeed mostly faculty members and their personal statements (with two exceptions) gave no indication of being aware of the career situation of the people who helped them their own careers. Correspondingly, "You have made no selections for Chair-Elect", "You have made no selections for Secretary-Elect" and "You have made no selections for Member-at-Large".