The most misleading stereotypes about physics

[Loren Booda]

How does the general public most misconstrue the personalities, theories, observations, achievements and goals of physics?

 

[Rach3]

You're too optimistic. The general public isn't aware of the personalities, theories, observations, achievements, or goals of physics. We'd be lucky to even have a stereotype for our field...

 

[Alkatran]

You're too optimistic. The general public isn't aware of the personalities, theories, observations, achievements, or goals of physics. We'd be lucky to even have a stereotype for our field...

*cough* What the BLEEP?! *cough*

I'd call that a serious misrepresentation of quantum physics, and it's not the first time quantum's been used for spiritual purposes. "Quantum physics proves (insert new age crap) works!"

 

[Rach3]

Insignificant fringe crackpots.

 

[dav2008]

Evolution is "just a theory"

Edit: Not physics but still...

I guess it could work for the big bang as well.

 

[heartless]

I think one of them is the scientific method. That every scientist uses scientific method to test out his idea and do the experiment. Another one is that there is no gravity in space <- this one I heard personally from my history teacher.

 

[Beeza]

Skinny or fat out-of-shape geeks with no social skills or life. I'm not even close to being a physicist yet, but damnit when I am, I'll also be a natural pro bodybuilder with social skills and a life.

 

[Rach3]

Evolution is "just a theory"

Edit: Not physics but still...

I guess it could work for the big bang as well.

Biologists are orders of magnitude better-known than physicsts. Marine biologists are portrayed by movie actors. So are zoologists. And that gorilla lady. In contrast, the general public isn't really sure what 'physics' is, or perhaps never heard of it. The best we can do is call ourselves "scientists" and leech off of the popularity of others.

 

[Rach3]

I think one of them is the scientific method. That every scientist uses scientific method to test out his idea and do the experiment. Another one is that there is no gravity in space <- this one I heard personally from my history teacher.

Scientific method? You mean there's a method behind the 'mad scientist' persona? Again, far too optimistic.

 

[Rach3]

via Cosmic Variance:

The Science Learning Centre in London asked 11,000 pupils for their views on science and scientists. Around 70% of the 11-15 year olds questioned said they did not picture scientists as “normal young and attractive men and women”...

 

[Rach3]

Skinny or fat out-of-shape geeks with no social skills or life.

Actually, to a large degree this is true.

 

[Pengwuino]

Actually, to a large degree this is true.

A friend of mine went to this SPS conference this semeseter and he said it was just geeks geeks geeks... and then our university half drunk.

 

[Pengwuino]

Oh i got one

They all wear white coats

 

[heartless]

Skinny or fat out-of-shape geeks with no social skills or life [...]

Reveal me your astonishing way of life, oh master

Scientific method? You mean there's a method behind the 'mad scientist' persona? Again, far too optimistic.

Yepp, every REAL scientists must use a secret method when conducting his experiment. I'd rather say scientific method taught in h-schools is depressing than optimistic

 

[Rach3]

Yepp, every REAL scientists must use a secret method when conducting his experiment. I'd rather say scientific method taught in h-schools is depressing than optimistic

This is speculation on your part. Point me a single movie reference in which scientists are portrayed as rational, methodical empiricists.

 

[Rach3]

Oh i got one

They all wear white coats

Again, that's a scientist stereotype, not a physicist stereotype. Chemists do were white lab coats, universally. Physicsts never do. Not even experimentalists.

I'll point this out again - Biologists are extremely popular (by our standards). Chemists have their existence acknowledged. Physicsts are just plain obscure.

 

[Pengwuino]

Shut up, it works

 

[heartless]

This is speculation on your part. Point me a single movie reference in which scientists are portrayed as rational, methodical empiricists.

here's a single one you've asked for: The Scientific Method DVD (2004)
(please don't ask for any more references )

 

[Rach3]

Current science stories in http://today.reuters.com/news/newsChannel.aspx?type=scienceNews. Zero physicsts!

New Orleans sinking - geophysics, soil scientists
Indonesian skulls - anthropology, evolution, archaeology
Space shuttle launch - politicans (and some oppressed engineers...)
Prehistoric cave ecosystem - biologists, marine biology
Mona Lisa - forensics
Arctic sediment core - geologists
Wind turbines & birds - biologistsAs the evidence shows, soil scientists are sexy. Physicists aren't.

 

[Rach3]

here's a single one you've asked for: The Scientific Method DVD (2004)
(please don't ask for any more references )

Educational material. Pathetic attempt. That's as much a cultural reference as "Goldstein's Classical Mechanics".

 

[heartless]

it's because physicists had done the job and work to open all of the mentioned fields to the geo-scientists.
Physicists are driven by intelligence and don't care about skulls from *billions years ago...* as that wouldn't benefit them in any way. If there were no phycists your spacecraft would have never been launched, nor you wouldn't be able to discover the underground cave ecosystem, test the age of the skull, and do other things.
The evidence shows that physicists are more sexy than sexy soil scientists.

 

[Rach3]

Physicists are driven by intelligence and don't care about skulls from *billions years ago...* as that wouldn't benefit them in any way.

What a fantastically narrow-minded worldview.

 

[heartless]

What a fantastically narrow-minded worldview.

How would a skull benefit a physicist?

 

[Rach3]

It keeps his brain from being squished.

 

[heartless]

ok, and how would somebody else's skull benefit a physicist?

 

[franznietzsche]

It keeps his brain from being squished.

 

[Rach3]

ok, and how would somebody else's skull benefit a physicist?

Extra protection.

 

[Moonbear]

Again, that's a scientist stereotype, not a physicist stereotype. Chemists do were white lab coats, universally. Physicsts never do. Not even experimentalists.

That's why it's a misleading stereotype. I think if you asked a kid to draw a picture of a physicist, they'd draw the same thing as if you asked them to draw a picture of a chemist, except the chemist would be holding some bubbling flask, and the physicist would have a telescope (yes, another stereotype, that all physicists do is stare at the stars all day...erm...night).

 

[Pengwuino]

That's why it's a misleading stereotype. I think if you asked a kid to draw a picture of a physicist, they'd draw the same thing as if you asked them to draw a picture of a chemist, except the chemist would be holding some bubbling flask, and the physicist would have a telescope (yes, another stereotype, that all physicists do is stare at the stars all day...erm...night).

I always thought physicists worked with bubbly chemicals too when i was a kid.

 

[heartless]

Extra protection.

Implementation of 2 skulls in one person is quite impossible due to differet sizes and shapes of skulls

 

[Moonbear]

I always thought physicists worked with bubbly chemicals too when i was a kid.

That's probably the most pervasive misconception...all scientists look alike. They're male, wear a white lab coat, Coke-bottle glasses, their hair sticks up always looking like they're overdue for a haircut, they wear plaid pants that are a bit too short, and a red bowtie with a white shirt. Phew! Good thing us biologists missed that memo! At least Hollywood makes us look sexy once in a while, even if we're usually destroying the planet with some plague unleashed from a lab.

 

[Pengwuino]

I never imagined them with a bowtie

 

[Beeza]

Reveal me your astonishing way of life, oh master
:

Roll your eyes all you want. I choose to spend my spare time being healthy instead of eating chocolate and sitting on my butt:zzz: . Maybe being healthy isn't for everyone, but as for me, I most definitely will not fit into the stereotype, and will reach both my academic and fitness goals.

And here's my not-so-astonishing way of life, but my own individual passion that isn't for everyone.

Me on stage at 18 years old in my first teen bodybuilding competition, and then 2 years later and 30lbs heavier.

 

[Pengwuino]

Good luck spending 14 hours a day doing research while you're lifting weights for 14 hours a day.

 

[franznietzsche]

Good luck spending 14 hours a day doing research while you're lifting weights for 14 hours a day.

And to top it off there's the problem of general laziness! Between work, the gym and slacking off, I just don't have enough to fit everything it.

 

[Pengwuino]

And to top it off there's the problem of general laziness! Between work, the gym and slacking off, I just don't have enough to fit everything it.

Maybe you should stop going to work.

 

[Moonbear]

Me on stage at 18 years old in my first teen bodybuilding competition, and then 2 years later and 30lbs heavier.

And Woolie thought the sisterhood was weakening! With guys like you around, we should have no problem recruiting new members!

 

[heartless]

Roll your eyes all you want. I choose to spend my spare time being healthy instead of eating chocolate and sitting on my butt:zzz: . Maybe being healthy isn't for everyone, but as for me, I most definitely will not fit into the stereotype, and will reach both my academic and fitness goals.

And here's my not-so-astonishing way of life, but my own individual passion that isn't for everyone.

Me on stage at 18 years old in my first teen bodybuilding competition, and then 2 years later and 30lbs heavier.

Oh boy, too much stereotype and movies. Almost everyone does some kind of sports no matter whether you study physics or mathematics or are a geek, a nerd or whatever. I play soccer and do biking everyday, some other people do basketball or weightlifting, after all, healthy life style is important. Being healthy lowers the risk of experiencing pain, something that everyone should rather avoid. If you're healthy, you possibly live longer, and if you live longer you can devote yourself more to reasearch and further studies. It's good to do sports, but I wouldn't rather make them the way of one's life. There's so much to discover, learn and experience here in the world, that indifference to science, may prevent you from getting them all, just my 7 cents.

//edit

wow, how long have you been practicing/doing weighlifting?

 

[franznietzsche]

Maybe you should stop going to work.

Thats the sad part, I don't even have to go anywhere. incidently, you are distracting me from it right now. I've got a paper sitting in front of me I need to read, and here I am replying to you. Its all your fault. Clearly.

 

[Pengwuino]

Thats the sad part, I don't even have to go anywhere. incidently, you are distracting me from it right now. I've got a paper sitting in front of me I need to read, and here I am replying to you. Its all your fault. Clearly.

That's what i do

 

[franznietzsche]

That's what i do

Jerk .

 

[SimplySolitary_]

That they're all guys.

Blah. I hate "Physics? But you're a girl, why would you go to school for Physics?" Or "More power to ya, sister!"
What the hell? Come on, now...

 

[Pengwuino]

My friend got that from her friends. She is the absolute antithesis of the stereotypical physics major. She's a high school dropout, she does drugs, she's smarter then pretty much everyone at her level in the department, she's hot by absolutely any standard, and she plans on getting her phd. None of us are really sure what's going on...

 

[Gokul43201]

Chemists do were white lab coats, universally.

Another misleading stereotype.

 

[Rach3]

Another misleading stereotype.

How so? Lab coats are a standard of safety - chemical spills you know. The majority of chemists I know wear them when doing research. What's misleading?

 

[Gokul43201]

Perhaps you've interacted only with a certain specific group of chemists. I've spent hundreds of hours in Chemistry labs and found that on average hardly about 20% of the folks are lab-coated. Lab coats are almost universal, however, in Industry (as opposed to Academia).

 

[Mk]

Lab coats are almost universal, however, in Industry

Another misconception. I thought you lived in India?

 

[Gokul43201]

Not for the last 5 years.

First person to 10 misconception wins!

 

[Curious3141]

I can tell you that proper Clinical Microbiology labs absolutely demand long white lab coats with full sleeves and a narrow cuff while working. It's a safety issue.

 

[kaos]

All physicists have einstein's hair. Or that most phycisists work in cosmology.