Does This Shirt Make Me Look Like A Geek?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a t-shirt featuring physics and math equations, particularly one associated with the Kennedy Space Center. Participants share their thoughts on wearing such shirts, their experiences with similar apparel, and the cultural implications of being perceived as a "geek." The conversation touches on personal anecdotes, humor, and the significance of science-themed clothing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses initial reluctance to wear physics-themed shirts but is now considering it after a visit to the Kennedy Space Center.
  • Another participant encourages wearing such shirts with pride, suggesting that they can be a source of identity.
  • Some participants discuss the aesthetics of the shirt, noting that better formatting (like LaTeX) would enhance its appeal.
  • A historical perspective is shared about the origins of science-themed shirts, tracing back to fundraising efforts by the Mission Control team at Johnson Space Center.
  • Several participants humorously agree that wearing the shirt would indeed make one look like a geek, but they suggest embracing that identity.
  • One participant proposes the idea of creating shirts for classes with formulas to use during tests, indicating a practical application of such apparel.
  • There are anecdotes about personal experiences at the Kennedy Space Center, highlighting the emotional impact of seeing significant engineering feats like the Saturn V rocket.
  • Some participants share their own collections of similar shirts and the humorous implications of wearing them in social settings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that wearing the shirt would make one look like a geek, but many express pride in that identity. The discussion remains light-hearted and exploratory, with no consensus on the seriousness of the "geek" label.

Contextual Notes

Some comments reflect personal experiences and opinions about the cultural significance of wearing science-themed clothing, but there is no resolution on the broader implications of such attire.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in science-themed apparel, those who enjoy discussions about identity and culture in STEM fields, and fans of space exploration may find this discussion engaging.

ZapperZ
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I've seen various shirts with physics and math written all over them. The most common one is the shirt with all the Maxwell equations written and "... and there was light". I never had the desire to own such shirts before... till now.

During my trip to the Kennedy Space Center this past December, I came across this t-shirt that made me laughed. Plus, it was also on sale. So I couldn't resist.

IMG_7815.jpg


A close-up of the equations (which are badly formatted, I must admit):
IMG_7817.jpg


The back has the explanation of what the equations describe:
IMG_7816.jpg


I haven't worn this yet, but I'm sure I'll look like a total geek when I do.

Zz.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I like it. Wear it with pride!
 
Cool t-shirt and its still available:

http://www.thespaceshop.com/itonroscash.html
 
Nice T-Shirt. but If equations are written in LaTeX and fonts are other as Times New Roman then it becomes great.
I know about this T-Shirt in your blog firstly.Front face with Equations and back has explanations.
 
I've got (or used to have) dozens of those. I've given most of them away.

These shirts started back in the 1980s at Johnson Space Center with the Mission Control team that rode the BP MS 150. Selling those "Why yes, I am a rocket scientist!" T-shirts was how they raised funds for the ride. One year they printed too many and sold the extras to the gift shop. The JSC gift shop (and now apparently others) have been selling them like hotcakes ever since.
 
ZapperZ said:
Does This Shirt Make Me Look Like A Geek?
Definitely, yes.

That doesn't mean you can't wear it with pride :biggrin:
 
23icufs.png
 
Awesome Tee :D and useful
 
Lisab, that should be a T-shirt!
 
  • #10
Actually that shirt wouldn't make you look like a geek. If you want to look like a geek, wear a tapout shirt.
Awesome Tee :D and useful
That one word "useful" gave me an idea of making a t-shirt for each of my classes with lots of formulas and stuff on it to use during tests.
 
  • #11
You WILL look like a geek if some other geek convinces you to turn back-to-front over and over to match the equations with the explanations. Comes with the territory. :-p
 
  • #12
and when people ask about the shirt you can say with pride I understand every one of them and if they persist and say: "Oh yeah How about this one?" You can reply its all geek to me.
 
  • #13
Better get permission from the wife before you wear it. You are going to be a chick magnet in that shirt!
 
  • #14
Love it!
 
  • #15
ZapperZ said:
I've seen various shirts with physics and math written all over them. The most common one is the shirt with all the Maxwell equations written and "... and there was light". I never had the desire to own such shirts before... till now.

During my trip to the Kennedy Space Center this past December, I came across this t-shirt that made me laughed. Plus, it was also on sale. So I couldn't resist.

IMG_7815.jpg


...

I haven't worn this yet, but I'm sure I'll look like a total geek when I do.

Zz.

That's you. Don't wear it until we have a PF get-together. You'll be the first person I'll want to talk to. :biggrin:
 
  • #16
Does This Shirt Make Me Look Like A Geek?

Unequivocally, yes...
 
  • #17
If anyone thinks you look like a geek, just tell them to pay attention to line 10.
 
  • #18
I picked up a similar shirt, though not as cool (it only had escape velocity on it), at JSC while attending a conference.

I've also got one of the "Why yes, I *am* a rocket scientist." shirts. :biggrin:
 
  • #19
jhae2.718 said:
I've also got one of the "Why yes, I *am* a rocket scientist." shirts. :biggrin:

I've got one that say's "As a matter of fact, I am a brain surgeon," even though I'm not a surgeon. I probably know more about the brain than most surgeons though.
 
  • #20
ZapperZ said:
During my trip to the Kennedy Space Center this past December

I was also there this past December, family went to Florida for Christmas. Seeing the Saturn V was definitely a high point in my life. Such an amazing feat of human engineering.
 
  • #21
KrisOhn said:
I was also there this past December, family went to Florida for Christmas. Seeing the Saturn V was definitely a high point in my life. Such an amazing feat of human engineering.

Rocket Park at JSC is pretty neat if you're in the area.

DiracPool said:
I've got one that say's "As a matter of fact, I am a brain surgeon," even though I'm not a surgeon. I probably know more about the brain than most surgeons though.

Ah, you see, now you've forced my hand:
THNPmhBl-8I[/youtube]
 
  • #22
jhae2.718 said:
Rocket Park at JSC is pretty neat if you're in the area.



Ah, you see, now you've forced my hand:
THNPmhBl-8I[/youtube][/QUOTE] Thats great!
 
  • #23
jhae2.718 said:
Ah, you see, now you've forced my hand:

OMG, that is the coolest thing I've ever seen. I even look exactly like that guy, well maybe ten years ago, and I was just a cocky. Didn't dress that sharp, though, I wish I would have, looking back.
 
  • #24
I had a friend once who was an MAA champion in HS and he went to some campus frat party where this college dude was talking upperclass undergrad math to some people like he really knew it well until my friend stepped and started discussing it with him and totally demolished the guy and his argument.

My friend had completed all of HS math by 8th grade in a time before AP and IB courses and was sent to the local college to continue his math studies paid for by the school district.
 
  • #25
jhae2.718 said:
Rocket Park at JSC is pretty neat if you're in the area.

Oh yes, that was pretty awesome, but the Saturn V is what really floored me. I've always been a big fan of the space programs and aerospace engineering. Knowing just what the Saturn V represents when it comes to human accomplishment while seeing one in real life was pretty overwhelming.
 
  • #26
KrisOhn said:
Oh yes, that was pretty awesome, but the Saturn V is what really floored me. I've always been a big fan of the space programs and aerospace engineering. Knowing just what the Saturn V represents when it comes to human accomplishment while seeing one in real life was pretty overwhelming.

Yep.
 
  • #27
jedishrfu said:
I had a friend once who was an MAA champion in HS and he went to some campus frat party where this college dude was talking upperclass undergrad math to some people like he really knew it well until my friend stepped and started discussing it with him and totally demolished the guy and his argument.

My friend had completed all of HS math by 8th grade in a time before AP and IB courses and was sent to the local college to continue his math studies paid for by the school district.

Fortunately, I've been so obsessed over how the brain works I've never been stumped in a personal conversation at a party. In fact, at the conferences I go to I tend to get very territorial about my specific focus and have to hold myself back because the nightly cocktail parties are actually very enjoyable.

I remember though when I initially got the "bug for the brain" in my early 20's I told some girl in a bar in Santa Barbara I was a neurophysiologist, which I wasn't at the time, thinking she'd be impressed. She wasn't. And the girls still aren't, so I don't say anything, even though now I really know my stuff. Go figure.
 
  • #28
Embrace it!

One of us. One of us. One of us.
 

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