Category Archives: humor

How *NOT* to deliver a seminar

It seems that people are apt to try and recreate or relive their greatest successes, and it turns out that I am not immune to this behavior. Some years ago, a combination of exasperation and disbelief coupled with an attempt … Continue reading

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Even scientists have birthdays

What do you get for a scientist who has everything? Except, perhaps, all the grants and papers he wants….

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No escape from the geeky scientist phenotype–or is that stereotype?

Professor John Nerdelbaum Frink, Jr., scientist from “The Simpsons.” A familiar stereotype. For years I’ve been trying to combat the misconception that all scientists are, generally speaking, a geekish bunch who have little or no interest in anything but their … Continue reading

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Hey, I didn’t even get the grant!

Scientists today spend a considerable chunk of their time writing: grants, protocols, manuscripts, reviews, grant reviews, etc. One of the bureaucratic requirements that most of us are familiar with is the “progress report.” Every year — or even after every … Continue reading

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Being an expert in (membrane) recycling has perks!

This morning I awoke to the following email (and yes, “OMICS” does it again): Dear Dr. Steve Caplan, Greetings of the day. Hope you are doing well. The purpose of this letter is to invite you to be an eminent … Continue reading

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Moved to poetry by….OMICS

Yes, the unfunny joke of a company called OMICS has moved me. Debating between tears and poetry, I opted for the latter, writing my “Epic Omics Limmerick,” provoked by the email pasted below. Here is my verse: There once was … Continue reading

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“Dogged Science”

No, this is not posed or photoshopped. But it is apparent that Ginger is somewhat less enthusiastic about calculations in single molecule imaging than I am.

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World Cup SNOUT

Caption, please?

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The ease of publishing does not reflect the realities of science

Almost every day I am besieged through email to either join editorial boards of new ‘up-and-coming’ journals or submit manuscripts to them. Neither is a trivial matter for me. A submitted manuscript often comes after several years of research by … Continue reading

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On the connection between (April) fools and trolls

Trolls seldom have anything worthwhile to say. They twist, bully, rant and rave and insult, putting forth their worst drivel to provoke a response. All behind a cloak of anonymity. That is the nature of a troll; inevitably a loser … Continue reading

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