Interview with a Biophysicist: Andy Resnick - Comments

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an interview with biophysicist Andy Resnick, with participants sharing comments and anecdotes related to the interview and personal experiences in the field of physics.

Discussion Character

  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Participants express surprise at the mention of "Die Antwoord" in relation to the interview.
  • Questions are raised about the waterproof capabilities of GoPro cameras, with one participant sharing personal experience using the camera underwater.
  • A participant recounts a personal story about meeting cosmologist Michael Turner, describing how a PBS show featuring him inspired their interest in physics.
  • Another participant questions the intent behind Turner's comment, "I'm sorry I got you interested in physics," suggesting it may have been a joke.
  • Further commentary reflects on the awkwardness of the encounter, with humor being derived from the situation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share personal anecdotes and interpretations of events, but there is no consensus on the meaning behind Turner's comment or the nature of awkward social interactions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the tone and intent of comments made during personal interactions, highlighting the subjective nature of interpreting social cues.

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Interview with a Biophysicist: Andy Resnick

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Die Antwoord! Didn't see that one coming! :)
 
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Greg Bernhardt said:
@Andy Resnick btw, is the GoPro waterproof?

Not by itself. All those cameras come with a plastic enclosure, tho, and when used correctly the camera can be used underwater no problem. Not sure how deep it can go- I've only taken it down 4 feet at most. When I'm done I wash the (still enclosed) camera off with fresh water to get any sand/salt/crud off, then dry and open the enclosure. Sometimes there's a bit of sand in the gaskets, easily brushed off.
 
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What happened with Michael Turner (who is he)?
 
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atyy said:
What happened with Michael Turner (who is he)?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Turner_(cosmologist)

Here's the whole humiliating story- for what it's worth, he probably has no recollection of this.

There was a series on public television titled (I think) "The Early Universe" that came out when I was 14 or 15, Michael was one of the talking heads on the show. Watching it, I immediately lost interest in everything non-physics: from that moment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for a career.

Now fast-forward 20 years, I'm at a public lecture given by Steve Weinberg. After his talk, there was a wine-and-cheese social event that I wandered into (for the free wine), and I'm looking around the room and who do I see? Michael Turner. I start gushing to my friends about how I saw this show when I was a kid, he was on it, blah blah blah. So they convince to go and tell him how much the show meant to me. I should mention that none of us were inebriated at all- I went though this stone sober.

I take a deep breath, tell myself he may enjoy hearing how he made a difference in some kid's life, and start walking. I introduce myself, tell him how that PBS show made me interested in physics, and I just wanted to personally thank him for inspiring me.

He looks right at me, very serious. He says: "I'm sorry I got you interested in physics".

Then this giant hole in the Earth opened up and I fell in.

True story. I've since convinced myself that his comment was meant to be a light-hearted joke.
 
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Andy Resnick said:
He looks right at me and says: "I'm sorry I got you interested in physics".
Why would he say this other than a joke?
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
Why would he say this other than a joke?

Well, yes. (Edit- now it's a funny story!) At the time though, it didn't seem like it. He wasn't laughing, for example. Not even smiling.
 
Andy Resnick said:
Well, yes. At the time though, it didn't seem like it. He wasn't laughing, for example. Not even smiling.
haha awkward :biggrin:
 
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Greg Bernhardt said:
haha awkward :biggrin:

Exactly! Mr. Rogers would be nicer to me :)
 
  • #11
Andy Resnick said:
Exactly! Mr. Rogers would be nicer to me :)
Boring! Awkward always makes for a good story :biggrin:
 
  • #12
Greg Bernhardt said:
Boring! Awkward always makes for a good story :biggrin:

Comedy: when something bad happens to someone else.
 
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