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Spider Star
The human colony on the planet Argo has long explored and exploited the technology left behind by an extinct alien race. But then an archaeology team accidentally activates a terrible weapon...
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Praise for Star Dragon
"Seldom does a storytelling talent come along as potent and fully mature as Mike Brotherton. His complex characters take you on a voyage that is both fiercely credible and astonishingly imaginative. This is Science Fiction."
-- David Brin"Star Dragon is terrific fare, offering readers a fusion of hard science and grand adventure."
-- Locus Magazine"Star Dragon is steeped in cosmology, the physics of interstellar travel, exobiology, artificial intelligence, bioscience. Brotherton, author of many scientific articles in refereed journals, has written a dramatic, provocative, utterly convincing hard science sf novel that includes an ironic twist that fans will love."
-- Booklist starred review"Readers hungry for the thought-provoking extrapolation and rigorous technical detail of old-fashioned hard SF are sure to enjoy astronomer Brotherton's first novel."
-- Publishers Weekly"Mike Brotherton, himself a trained astrophysicist, combines the technical acuity and ingenuity of Robert Forward with the ironic, postmodern stance and style of M. John Harrison. In this, his debut novel, those twin talents unite to produce a work that is involving on any number of levels. It's just about all you could ask for in a hardcore SF adventure."
-- Paul di Fillippo, SCI-FI.COM
Five qualities required to be a Scientist…
November 5th, 2007
Here’s one site about becoming a scientist: Cool Careers in Science
What does it take to become a professional scientist? To get into graduate school, persevere, collect a PhD and land a job in the field?
A lot of things, but not all obvious to the uninitiated.
I used to like to tell people that it took three qualities, two of which might not be obvious. I now think it takes five.
First, it takes brain power. Intelligence. Talent. The ability to do the hard work.
This is probably obvious to most, but is sometimes ignored when people want to put down a scientist reporting results they don’t like. Every scientist has some native intelligence above and beyond that of the general population. Perhaps not a lot more, but above average. Scientists get not only through college, but into graduate school and through it. Few graduate programs let in students with GPAs below 3.0, which is pretty good at colleges other than Princeton or Harvard.
Now, I will admit that there are plenty of gradations of intelligence above average, and that there are some stupid smart people and some smart stupid people, but that’s the subject of another, future post. PhD-level scientists are all smart, but plenty fall way short of genius level and fail to apply their brains to every problem before them.
OK, second: stick-to-itivness. You don’t get a PhD for pointing out small things. You have to show that you can produce a significant step in our understanding of the universe, and that requires many months to years of sustained effort to complete. Usually at least three years. If you can’t start, sustain, and finish a project that takes longer than a year, forget about being a scientist. There are plenty of smart people, including geniuses, who can’t be scientists because they’re flighty, lazy dilettantes. We all know them, and most of them make me shake my head. I’ve had a couple of promising, smart students who will never make it for this weakness. They make good points, have good criticisms, but never produce anything of their own all that worthwhile.
Third item: communication skills. Maybe it’s possible to be a scientist without good communication skills, but, oh, wow…how will the career suffer. Scientists must write papers, proposals, and give talks. Referee papers. Review proposals and papers. The ones who can’t communicate clearly and effectively will not get their work considered seriously and will have poor careers, assuming they can even get through writing a thesis and defending it successfully. Staying in science without being able to secure funding is tough. Very tough.
That was my original list, but I finally decided that I had to add two other items.
Curiosity and attention to detail.
Curiosity is what drives any decent scientist. Having a PhD and securing a permanent position means having independence to pursue a line of research. That requires curiosity. Grad students who blow away the GRE but need to be told what to do every step do not make good scientists. They’re technicians at best, which is fine, but a different career. Scientists are curious and need that to do research. There is a scientific method, but there’s no algorithm to how to develop and test the next hypothesis. It does require that spark.
Finally, attention to detail. This was something I was never great about growing up and had to learn myself. It’s amazing how many details must be addressed in bringing a research project to publication. Ideally every journal article describes every project in enough detail to duplicate it. That’s a big responsibility, and anyone who can’t be bothered to get those details right nearly all the time or better can’t be a good scientist. Mistakes are always going to happen, but they shouldn’t be too common. And sometimes in science, the results and their interpretation turn on those details as they do in few other fields.
Summarizing, every would-be scientist needs:
1. Raw brain power
2. Dedication to finish long-term projects
3. Communication skills (writing, speaking)
4. Curiosity
5. Attention to detail
There’s no crime in not becoming a scientist. Not every smart person has these qualities. And there are plenty of smart people who aren’t geniuses who make great scientists. As a professor mentoring students, I see some of the brightest fail on some of these points every year, and others less gifted succeed on their other strengths.
Another day I’ll rant about the stupid smart people who are the bane of the system all too often…
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September 6th, 2008 at 9:52 am
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December 9th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
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December 17th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
This page help me aloooooooooooooooot thank you!!!!
January 8th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I’m just a 14 year old who dreams of being a Scientist…I’m not a genius at all well my IQ is 140 nothing special but I have this dream that I want to make it happen not just for me but for human..the whole world..so that’s why I’ll become smarter so I can promise you that you’ll see my name as a famous scientist i promise you people.. I already have my project even at this age I’m experimenting with my project of course only with research because my experiment requires human DNA and other important human part.
January 9th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Martha, an IQ of 140 is high and rare and nothing to apologize about. Plenty high enough to learn things quickly and correctly. My message here is that smarts are only one necessary ingredient for success in science (and most things in life). Work hard, develop your curiosity and communication skills. If you want fame, well, there are easier ways to do it than science, for better or worse.
March 9th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I just love your blog! Very nice post!
March 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
It really is amazing that some things never change
March 13th, 2009 at 9:31 am
As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you
March 26th, 2009 at 3:22 am
ok i like your blog .those qualities are easy but who can do it so we have to change our life and take the best way to improve our thinking and as you said the scientits get not only by college but into gradate school.thnx very much
March 26th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Some things never seem to change
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 am
You appear to know a great deal about this
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 am
wow, good point of view.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
Wow how to be a good scientist…this post is highly inspiring. thank u sir.
April 12th, 2009 at 2:37 am
I have read a few of your posts and they are all interesting and informative…keep up the good work.
April 27th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Nice blog btw… Swineflu is gonna go global - better grab a mask asap b4 suppliers run out.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:57 am
The points above are all very insightful, thanks very much.
May 29th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Hello Guru, what entice you to post an article. This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
July 14th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
А что Вы скажете, если я возьму на себя смелость утверждать, что все Ваши посты, не более чем выдумка?
September 21st, 2009 at 7:37 am
IQ 214…I agree. And considering thought on how it is has been conducted by the bottom end of the ruler, I spend a lot of time going back to look at how we got where we are.
My result was a solution for ‘Divide by Zero’ which my many maths teachers assured me had no possible solution. The outcome was that A divided by Zero equals NOT A (/A Being a value unrelated to A except at Superposition). They were partly right - it had no solution in what we percieve as our Universe. That instantly indicated that our ‘Universe’ has a limit that can only be surpassed at superposition.
October 20th, 2009 at 8:39 am
to your patio door, either.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:01 am
What if you do not have a very high IQ but simply the curiosity and the will excell in science? Would I be foolish to attempt to strive to be a scientist?
November 6th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
CSmith, I think it probably depends on your field. There are some in which the coursework requires a lot of smarts (e.g. theoretical particle physics), and while the will may be there, it may take so long that it is simply not worthwhile for yourself or your program. There are other areas where smarts are not as necessary and not the most important thing. I’m thinking of careful, methodical observers (Jane Goodall, the guy who did all the CO2 measurements) and those that pair the observation with leaps of insight that may not require conventional smarts (Darwin).
Also finding a branch of science you love so much that time melts away is like gaining IQ points.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
thanks for the great post. Best regards
November 30th, 2009 at 11:32 am
I’m experiencing problems viewing your site properly with the most recent release of Opera. Looks good in IE7 and Firefox however.
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:11 am
I am a 16 year old high school student in the 11th grade. I really haven’t contributed my all in school, and I want to know if its to late. I’ve always wanted to be something in the scientific world and make a difference. There is so much out there waiting for me and I feel like I’ve noticed this to late. I highly doubt a university will take a student from high school who’s gotten B’s most of his life. I do posses 2 of the qualities. I love to over think about anything and I have all the curiousity in the world. I know I have a lot to work on but I need that extra push and words of wisdom which you obviously have. please email me back to d_g7859@yahoo.com or just reply in the blog. If you don’t have time its understandable and if you did get this far in reading about a teen with dreams thankyou.
January 3rd, 2010 at 7:48 am
David, it is not too late, but you will have to change some of your ways and work hard. There are plenty of Universities that will take a B-level student, especially if you can bring your final semester or two of grades up to A level showing a new commitment.
Find a university you can get into that has a good department in your favorite field. Sometimes you have an average university with a great department and it can be an excellent choice.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
How about the salary?
Is possible to develop a standard middle class life being a scientist?
January 6th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Yes it is, El caminante, in the end. There is a middle period as graduate student and then post-doc, where it is not so great. If you are a scientist in a field with industrial application (like physics or chemistry), the salary can be very good. I should track down a link.
For the record, because I am very open, here is my situation. My 9-month salary in Wyoming is $80k per year. With grants to pay summer salary, I make six figures. Cost of living is low in my city, so my home is nice and I have money for many things and travel. I probably could have made much more as an engineer (I have a EE BS), if that was what I wanted to do.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:34 am
Hi Mike, do you have any suggestions to those who lack the dedication to finish long-term projects and attention to detail that you mentioned, or do you think that people who lack those traits are better off pursuing other areas of study? I am considering pursuing a major in Neuroscience, which I find fascinating, but I am somewhat flighty in those regards. Sometimes I feel afraid that I can not overcome those detrimental qualities in my character to succeed in science.
January 19th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Thanks Mike. Really I must decide between engineering position or scientific one. I guest I would feel better as scientist but I`m seriously affraid about my economy. Is great to know that isn`t impossible. In South America (where I`m living nowdays) the doctorate salary is almost degrading in comparisson with other industrial positions. As scientist, I must look for paralel job`s to live as any common worker. I hope it changes in the future as you suggest.
I`m not sure if understand but you have a nine months job as scientist? It is possible in any U.S. university? It would be great if you could suggest me some way to look for some “summer” grant (some link perhaps).
I heard some industries dislike to contract doc`s and prefer people with some focussed Master degree and several years of experience. What do you think? Is possible for a Doc. moving to a private sector in the future?
Thanks again and regards,
El caminante
January 20th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Thanks and greetings from Berlin/Germany!
January 25th, 2010 at 12:02 am
Found your blog on Yahoo
February 8th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
El caminante, looks like I forgot to reply…
Yes, a lot of universities hire for 9 month periods, since that matches the semester schedule. Summers, you’re on your own. NASA, NSF, and other agencies can provide grant money to pay the summer salary, or summer teaching can work, too.
Doctorate or not…depends on the field. No problem for some, waste of time for others. For engineering, for instance, stick with the Masters.
February 20th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
I appreciate you taking the time to share this. Isn’t great to write?
February 20th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
I love this (even though I should be working). Thanks!
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:40 pm
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March 9th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
This was a really great post, thank you so much for taking the time to put it up! Touched on some very good points. I’ll definately be back soon
April 10th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
fiction remains on top
great post
April 17th, 2010 at 4:30 am
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April 23rd, 2010 at 5:54 am
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April 23rd, 2010 at 7:15 am
I am currently 15 years old and I wish to become a physicist.I do have the ability to understand university level subjects(reading about line and surface integrals at the moment) and a relatively high mathematical ability(took 1st Award in the Hellenic Mathematics Competition,among students of the 10th grade) but I fear it is not enough.Thousands,if not millions of people in the world have high intelligence,some of them higher than mine…what would make me the one to see something everyone else has not seen.I do have curiosity and will to work hard but I don’t know if it is enough.I would like to know whether I actually have a chance of seeing something noone else has seen before…but I guess that is an answer that cannot be answered before I actually try.
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May 5th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
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May 11th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Hello. Excellent occupation. I did not anticipate this on a Wednesday. This can be a fantastic story. Thanks!
June 7th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
I am 24 years old (2010) and when I was 15 years old I understood I’m diffrent with others coz i notice to detail !!! i mean If teachers told us there are 2 ways I had siad to them I will find 3rd way as they knew there is 3rd way!!!
Now I say scientist read alot
June 7th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
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July 7th, 2010 at 7:52 am
Great article! Cheers.
July 10th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
You have to be first, best or different. Remember what should be remembered, and forget what should be forgotten.Alter what is changeable, and accept what is mutable.
July 20th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Well done ! Teaching English as a second language and then have my students read this… :).