• Question: Why do you think that other people think that scientists are mad?

    Asked by football10 to Ailsa, Evan, James, Kath, Ryan on 18 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by bouncyrabbit.
    • Photo: Ryan Ladd

      Ryan Ladd answered on 18 Jun 2011:

      People say there is a fine line between genius and madness! Most scientists are actually quite normal people but there are some scientists (often the cleverest and most amazing ones) who are very eccentric and can seem quite crazy!

      I have to say though, my favorite teacher at university really fits the mad scientist image, even with the wild grey hair! He’s a great person though.

    • Photo: Ailsa Powell

      Ailsa Powell answered on 18 Jun 2011:

      I think it’s because that’s the way scientists are portrayed in popular culture. It seems to be deemed ok to dismiss what scientists say because popular culture had decided we are all mad – politicians seem to do this all the time 🙂

      I don’t think it’s fair on scientists as we are not mad and put a lot of hard work into what we do. Hopefully by particiating in “I’m a Scientist” you guys will realise we are all quite normal people 🙂

      I have encountered some wonderfully eccentric professors though as an undergrad and they were adored by their students.

    • Photo: Evan Keane

      Evan Keane answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      I hope not everyone thinks scientists are mad!! I don’t know where this idea came from. Maybe there was one famous crazy scientist and people thought all scientists were like him! What do you think of the scientists on I’m A Scientist. Do we seem crazy to you? 😉

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