What Are Some Antisocial Jobs for Science and Tech Enthusiasts?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores potential job options for individuals with a background in physics, pure mathematics, or computer science that do not require strong social skills or frequent interaction with others. Participants share various roles and express their thoughts on the nature of antisocial versus nonsocial jobs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest programming as a suitable job that allows for solitary work with minimal social interaction.
  • Freelance research is mentioned, although one participant expresses uncertainty about its viability as a paid job.
  • Dog grooming is humorously proposed, but others point out that it involves some level of interaction with clients.
  • A professor of mathematics is suggested as a role that could fit the criteria, though it may require some teaching and interaction.
  • One participant humorously lists various "antisocial" jobs, including roles in the DMV and military, which may involve limited social engagement.
  • There is a discussion about the Hairy Ball Theorem, with some participants questioning its validity and relating it to other mathematical concepts.
  • Participants discuss the difference between antisocial and nonsocial jobs, with some emphasizing the need for minimal interaction versus complete isolation.
  • Actuarial work is mentioned as a potential job that could be done without face-to-face teamwork, though it is noted as applied mathematics rather than pure mathematics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on specific job recommendations, and multiple competing views on what constitutes antisocial versus nonsocial jobs remain. The discussion includes humor and differing opinions on the validity of certain mathematical concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the nature of jobs and the implications of the Hairy Ball Theorem are debated, with participants expressing varying levels of certainty and interpretation. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about job requirements and social interaction.

  • #31
I wonder if the OP has found an anti-social job yet.


I suggest an Evil scientist. They don't seem to have a lot of friends, and all of their minions wear full face masks.
 
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  • #32
Panoramic--you can go into 'research'-

--some require you to monitor 'things' underground or at the north pole with similar people for maybe 2-3 years at a time

--I like resurrected threads--its a type of recycling


PS--I wonder how many threads could be combined, for example, under one titled--"Young's double slit"
 
Last edited:
  • #33
A blogger who writes about math or physics or computer and who doesn't like and never comes to gatherings
 
  • #34
Jack21222 said:
Your first post is to resurrect a 4 year old thread?

hypatia said:
eh gads

MotoH said:
I suggest an Evil scientist.

No substantive answers...? I figured folks would be dying to express an opinion about the corporate vs. academic job thing ...


rewebster said:
Panoramic--you can go into 'research'-

--some require you to monitor 'things' underground or at the north pole with similar people for maybe 2-3 years at a time

I was thinking research. But with most things in life there's a scale in-play here. On one the extreme end, maybe a sales job. And the other would be a solo research position at the North Pole! I don't think I'm quite that anti-social - just trying to find a spot where office politics don't trump ability every time.

Maybe a lab, or just my own office in a university with a more open-ended research or writing role (e.g. no micro-managers).


quickme said:
A blogger who writes about math or physics or computer and who doesn't like and never comes to gatherings

Let's do the count:
Math or physics professor.
Researcher.
Programmer.
Writer.

All sounds pretty reasonable to me. When can I start?
 
  • #35
Panoramic said:
When can I start?

What? ITS Self-motivation! YOU have to stand up and grab the utter with both hands!
 
  • #36
Clerk in the Swiss patent office?
 
  • #37
rewebster said:
What? ITS Self-motivation! YOU have to stand up and grab the utter with both hands!

Maybe ... udder? Like a cow? lol. Good imagery.

So here's the udder I'm working on just now:
linear algebra
differential equations incl. partials & non-linear
applied mathematics (Newtonian mechanics)
numerical methods
Fourier series

Which by October should just about get me to where I left off 15 years ago in my M.E. degree.

Then next year it's Langrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics. And I'm also considering cramming in a Statistics class. Always wanted to take one of those; don't know how applicable it is to Physics ...

... but my goal is a Master's in Applied Maths and then I can make the decision between Physics or Maths PhD.

Big udder. Multi-year udder. Don't know how applicable it is to programming or writing, but it should fall nicely in line with Professor or researcher ...
 
  • #38
my, my---you do have both hands full---


good for you--15 years added on to (whatever) and making a go of it---what were you doing before?
 
  • #39
Serious answer: medical technologist. I've heard (from those in the field) that many choose it for that reason alone.
 
  • #40
Another serious answer: every job uses communication and social skills, and being good at them would always help you perform better.
 
  • #41
Pathologist, to some extend.
 
  • #42
rewebster said:
what were you doing before?

Thank you for asking.

The long answer is: something called "control systems engineering." A lot of proprietary applications development with the added bonus of having the program do something in the "real" world like open valves, start gas turbines (and keep them from blowing up). In the oil & gas industry. The first 10 years. Lately I"ve been estimating: putting prices together for a client to accomplish some task on an offshore platform for them. Fixing a pipe, changing out instruments, building, maintaining, etc.

The short answer? I sit at a desk and stare at a computer from 8-5 M-F, week-in, week-out in a big room of rows of other people sitting at desks, staring at computers.

Whoever invented the concept of "open office plan" was an ancestor of the anti-Christ
 
  • #43
You could become a ninja.
 
  • #44
Ah, yes. I have pondered that question many times.

In our society it is harder and harder to have "people skills", i.e. to remain patient and polite in the face of pathologic, malicious idiots.

Although these jobs probably do not meet the requirements OP listed, these three are potentially useful to look at for someone who lost their job because of interaction with others:

Military. US or foreign (Foreign Legion) offers many training programs that deal with gadgets. Also, if you like the idea of shooting people, nothing beats the military - and you get paid for it, and with nice benefits too.

Truckdriver. You are in your cab away from people, get to listen to music of any kind and at any volume, and text while you work, not to mention watch porn or play with the CB radio, all without ever being seen.

Corrections officer. Good pay, and a very solid job security. Can be a little dangerous, but you definitely don't have to smile and fake happiness.
 

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