You aren't alone! I was an astronomer - absolutely no need for a white
coat, but very much a "real" scientist. I also liked going to parties
and looking stylish...
On 4/25/07, Lyndsey Clark <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
>
> Am I the only physicist on the list who would certainly have considered
> myself a 'real' and proud scientist (back then) but never ever wore a white
> coat?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sara Fletcher
> Sent: 25 April 2007 09:00
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] white coat - icon for science?
>
>
>
>
> I have no problem with the white coat, but surely the point is that anyone
> can wear one?! If the message (massage?!) is that scientists are "really
> special people" who have beards, surely that implies scientists are old men,
> surely not encouragement for getting women and younger people into science?!
>
>
> On 4/25/07, Lesley Newson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> If the goal is to make young people excited about science careers, there
> needs to be a pride in the symbols that identify one as a scientist. Why
> be ashamed of the beard and white coat?
>
> If we put over the massage "scientists are just like everyone else and
> they care about looking stylish and going to parties, etc.", we fail to
> put over the more important message which is, "scientists are really
> special people who are concerned about more important things than looking
> stylish and clean-shaven. That's why they work so hard and with such
> dedication."
>
> Science in Britain seems determined to try the same promotion tactics as
> the Church of England. The Church worked hard to put over the idea that
> vicars often wear trendy clothes and many of them don't even believe in
> God. This didn't do much to encourage young people to enter the clergy,
> did it?
>
> Lesley
>
> > I can remember the excitement back in 1968 when I first entered graduate
> > school when they passed out the white coats. It was like receiving my
> > letterman's jacket in football in high school. It quickly wore out -- the
> > excitement and pleasure, but they were still the uniform for certain
> > formal
> > occasions.
> >
> > We even wore them when a large contingent from the school marched to
> > downtown Chicago to protest the war in Viet Nam.
> >
> > You were looking for ancient history, right?
> >
> > Roger
> >
> >> Well Michael,
> >>
> >> From that statement, it is clear you are not a scientist! I guess it
> >> must
> >> be possible to be a good communicator of science without understanding
> >> the
> >> pride of wearing a white coat!
> >>
> >> It may not be a symbol any more but when I realised that I was a
> >> scientist, it gave me a thrill to wear it. Does anyone else understand
> >> this?
> >>
> >> Lesley
> >
> > --
> > Roger S. Johnson, PhD
> > President
> > Newswise
> > www.newswise.com
> > [log in to unmask]
> > 434-296-9417
> > 930 Turner Mtn. Rd.
> > Charlottesville, VA 22903
> >
> > Newswise... journalists' comprehensive source for knowledge-based news.
> >
> >
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> --
> Lesley Newson
> University of Exeter School of Psychology
> [log in to unmask]
> http://www.people.ex.ac.uk/ln202
>
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