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Daily Digest Archive for September 3, 2003
Q: (Initially posted on September 1, 2003) FROM
MENTEE ALEXIS K. IN VA
I got a book from the library called "The Greatest Inventions
of the Past
2,000 Years (Today's leading thinkers choose the creations that
shaped our
world)" by John Brockman. The book has short essays from
"smart people" who
give their opinion about what is the most important invention
in the last
2,000 years. No one agrees and that's good. I have read a few
but not the
whole book. The jacket cover says a lot:
"Candidates for the greatest invention include the expected,
such as the
computer and movable type (although even here there are intriguing
insights
into how those inventions have altered our civilization), and
the
surprising, such as the Indo-Arab counting system, the lens,
classical
music, and the eraser. Not all of the respondents limited their
answers to
concrete objects. Some chose as greatest "inventions"
the concept of free
will, marketing, democracy and social justice, the scientific
method, and
our disbelief in the supernatural, arguing persuasively that
ideas are
inventions as much as are mechanical objects."
I probably won't read the whole book, but I recommend it if
you want to see
how to think and not just what to think.
To each of my mentors who will take the challenge:
What do think has been the greatest improvement for girls in
your profession (Science, Engineering,Technology)?
Bonus point: What is the next, best improvement that should
happen so that
girls can be as successful as boys in your profession (My sister
says that
medical science needs to figure out how to make it so boys can
get pregnant
and nurse, hehehe.)? |
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September 3, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR ROSE CLARK IN
PA
I am a Ph.D. chemist and have seen many changes in the profession
since my graduate work (completed in 1995). The biggest improvement
that I have found is in the number of women that are going
into chemistry. I have attended conferences as a graduate
student and was one of four women in a room of 50 men. In
2003, I have found the number of women to be significant (30
to 40% women). One issue that is not changing as quickly is
the number of women in the highest positions. The next best
improvement that should happen so that women can be successful
is for employers to recognize that women are as smart and
hard working as men. I have know many women that are brilliant
and have dedicated their entire lives to their careers. These
women move to the top with the men who dedicate their lives
to their careers. On the other hand, their are many more brilliant
women who choose to take a larger portion of their time to
dedicate to their family. These women are hard working and
are actually do two major jobs; however they will not move
up the cooperate ladder (university ladder) as quickly. In
my opinion, your sister makes a good point with men having
babies, if along with the labor comes the maternal instinct
and nurturing. I always fill guilty for leaving my two boys
at home with grandma to go to work. The only reason that I
do is because I love chemistry and I love teaching. You have
to find the balance that works for you to make you happy.
Best Wishes on Achieving Your Goals,
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