What Does a Chemist Have to Say? Borek's PF Insights Post

[Greg Bernhardt]

Greg Bernhardt submitted a new PF Insights post

Interview with a Chemist: Borek

Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.

 

[Doc Al]

Good story, Borek!

 

[Bandersnatch]

I can't believe it.
Borek is the same Borek that was also Naczelny, Kopalny, etc., of Top Secret!

I blame you guys for spoiling my childhood. I should have gone out more, instead of playing games and reading your irreverent, absurdist magazine.

 

[lisab]

You've had a fascinating path through life, Borek.

Your thoughts on education really resonated with me. Every time I think about the education system, I get this nagging feeling that something is really not right. I just can't quite figure what it is.

 

[turbo]

Love the narrative, Borek.

My early life was a series of stop-and-start issues, so I can empathize. I don't know if growing up in Maine was better or worse than in Soviet-controlled Poland. No way to compare.

 

[Monsterboy]

Nice story

 

[Evo]

Loved your story Borek!

 

[marcusl]

Hi Borek
Thanks for the look at a strange far away galaxy!

BTW, you have quite a way with words--many of them are even used correctly

 

[WannabeNewton]

Omg The Witcher is the most awesome thing ever. Have you played both games? They are so brilliant.

 

[Mark44]

Very interesting, Borek!

 

[Dembadon]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your life, Borek.

...

BTW, you have quite a way with words--many of them are even used correctly

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Omg The Witcher is the most awesome thing ever. Have you played both games? They are so brilliant.

I got frustrated with the second one.

 

[WannabeNewton]

I got frustrated with the second one.

Whyyy? Technical glitches?

 

[Borek]

Good story, Borek!

Nice story

Loved your story Borek!

Very interesting, Borek!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your life, Borek.

Thanks

I can't believe it.
Borek is the same Borek that was also Naczelny, Kopalny, etc., of Top Secret!

I blame you guys for spoiling my childhood. I should have gone out more, instead of playing games and reading your irreverent, absurdist magazine.

Its a small world, isn't it?

Google for Pixel Heaven 2013.

You've had a fascinating path through life, Borek.

Up to 1996, since then it is mostly boring.

I don't know if growing up in Maine was better or worse than in Soviet-controlled Poland. No way to compare.

We were not under a strong ideological pressure, sure, many things were organized differently, economy was different, but I doubt as a 10 years old we would be able to name and understand serious differences. They were becoming more and important when we grew older.

BTW, you have quite a way with words--many of them are even used correctly

I found when you write a lot and use a lot of words, some them land in the right places. I am just a monkey with a typewriter.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

... I found when you write a lot and use a lot of words, some them land in the right places. I am just a monkey with a typewriter.

Nah, you're a very humble person, but your writing style is very refreshing and nice to read.

 

[Bandersnatch]

Google for Pixel Heaven 2013.

I'll be there in 2014!

 

[jackmell]

. . . what did you do in Chemistry Borek? Chemist to a chemist? How can someone not ask that question since you consider yourself a prodigy? I mean I didn't do much, made alanine from scratch but you'll know that ain't no hill. The department head, whom I had asked to do a "special synthesis", looked at me with suspicion and asked, "what kind of synthesis?" Suppose that response was warranted since I did pot with him and a group of students at a party at his house the previous year.

Anyways, I'm just curious what you did on your own in Chemistry that wasn't part of the curriculum?

 

[Evo]

. . . what did you do in Chemistry Borek? Chemist to a chemist? How can someone not ask that question since you consider yourself a prodigy? I mean I didn't do much, made alanine from scratch but you'll know that ain't no hill. The department head, whom I had asked to do a "special synthesis", looked at me with suspicion and asked, "what kind of synthesis?" Suppose that response was warranted since I did pot with him and a group of students at a party at his house the previous year.

Anyways, I'm just curious what you did on your own in Chemistry that wasn't part of the curriculum?

I believe Borek said others considered him a prodigy, not he himself, he said he got along not by doing the best, but I have no doubt he would have been had he had a better school experience.

I see that too much, really bright students discouraged by teachers and/or the school policies.

 

[Integral]

Wow! What can I say. Interesting life.
My first wife was Czechoslovak, born in the the 50's escaped in the late 60's. So that galaxy far far away you speak of is known to me.

I also know about that waiting on computers you mention. I did my BS in math doing mainly numerical analysis courses on my Apple II. I completed every Numerical analysis course offered by OSU between 1980 and 1984.
One of the models I did took over 12hrs to run. .

 

[berkeman]

Well we certainly know now which Mentor/Admin has the best sense of humor!

 

[jackmell]

I believe Borek said others considered him a prodigy.

. . . same dif.

I was just askin' for a little bit of chemistry that's all since I majored in Chemistry and loved it.

 

[Chronos]

God, I hated chemistry. I took this test once and accidently picked water as a combustible material because it was composed of hydrogen and oxygen.

 

[drizzle]

The beginning of the story definitely hooked me! I LOVE IT!
I'll be back to read the rest..multiple times.

 

[drizzle]

Unfortunately, I'm not aware of Poland's rich history, maybe I'll start to read more. Nonetheless, that was quite an interview. Thanks for sharing Borek. Ps. I was expecting more details when it comes to Marzena..

 

[Borek]

Anyways, I'm just curious what you did on your own in Chemistry that wasn't part of the curriculum?

Whatever I did, disappeared with flash, smoke and noise.

Seriously, the only experimental part I even did by myself was small scale pyrotechnics. Still, even on small scale it can get dangerous.

Ps. I was expecting more details when it comes to Marzena..

That has to wait for "Meet an Admin's wife" series.

 

[Borg]

Well written biography Borek.

 

[D H]

Whatever I did, disappeared with flash, smoke and noise.

Sounds a bit like my childhood with a chemistry set. I discovered, years after the fact, that that choking cloud of noxiousness that I made as a child was red fuming nitric acid.

They don't make chemistry sets like that any more.

 

[nitsuj]

That was very fun reading! artistic non fiction, great writing skill you've got Borek.And a great opening too, for pf readers

I was born half a century ago, in a galaxy far, far away. So far away our laws were all shifted to the red,

 

[drizzle]

That has to wait for "Meet an Admin's wife" series.

Can't wait! :!)

 

[Borek]

Your thoughts on education really resonated with me. Every time I think about the education system, I get this nagging feeling that something is really not right. I just can't quite figure what it is.

This was just posted elsewhere (in the context of education, which makes it even more fitting):

Our system has taken away an important human right, the right to fail.

 

[Curious3141]

The first part of this was some of the funniest stuff I've ever read!

I was born half a century ago, in a galaxy far, far away. So far away our laws were all shifted to the red, shifted so heavily I would risk a crackpot ban if I would try to post about them in Social Sciences. Despite that I don't think my childhood was significantly different from the childhood of other PF members born around that time, even if I didn't drink my first Coke before being ten, as it was not sold earlier in our galaxy for political reasons.

So Borek has a lot in common with Borat.

I already have a good Polish friend, a fellow doctor and infectious diseases specialist. Now I can say I know two Poles! - or is that diPoles?

BTW, I am happy you had at least your right hand after your chemistry misadventures. Can't imagine going through your early teens without hands, can you?

Wait - Greg said "constructive comments" are welcome. I have no idea if my comments are constructive, but I'm making them anyway!

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

This interview has been moved to Insights
https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/interview-chemist-borek/

 

[Chestermiller]

What a wonderful and fascinating presentation/story! I loved it! When is the next chapter?

I must say, I totally agreed with your assessment of the current state of education.

Chet

 

[Borek]

When is the next chapter?

You mean obituary?

 

[Chestermiller]

You mean obituary?

Ha! Good one.

 

[UncertaintyAjay]

The red shifted galaxy is the most brilliant piece of writing I have read recently. Not sure if that speaks to my recent taste in literature or your skill. But kudos nevertheless. Thoroughly enjoyable interview!

 

[jedishrfu]

Wow, great story!

No mention of Spellbinder kids tv show. Parts were filmed Poland showing off the forests and quaint rural villages. Other parts were filmed in Australia, showing off dingy city life with too many cars and obnoxious kids.

Did you watch this show?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL7I9YSxBBQ&list=PLQIcUY6Kr8n5OEi1GFHYQ9Lf7L6t3FRYL

 

[Borek]

Did you watch this show?

Chances are Junior has watched it on TV, he was about 10 when it first aired here, but I don't remember.