‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’ • Hacker News Board

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#71

Post by krsrhe » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 12:56 PM UTC

Buge wrote: post #9

Donald wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Harvard offers undergraduates remedial classes through their extension school. In fact, you may be surprised to hear that so many admits have issues with writing that they offer a non-extension remedial writing class (Expos10.) These are just undergrads - students come from a variety of educational backgrounds and are admitted for various reasons, of which legacy is just one possibility.

I think there are 2 things that make math different than writing in this case. 1. I expect the main reason for needing remedial writing would be English as a second language people. That is, smart people who got a good education, but that education wasn't primarily English. That doesn't really apply to math. 2. I expect standardized tests can more easily test math than writing due to the nature of solving math proble…

Math is one of many subjects. Many Harvard students head remedial classes in music, art, and literature too.

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#72

Post by krsrhe » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 12:58 PM UTC

Donald wrote: post #6

killjoywashere wrote: post #5

> by the time she reached Harvard, hoping to study medicine, she was so far behind that “I couldn’t even take a remedial math class” Wat? How'd she get into Harvard then? Legacy admission?

Harvard offers undergraduates remedial classes through their extension school. In fact, you may be surprised to hear that so many admits have issues with writing that they offer a non-extension remedial writing class (Expos10.) These are just undergrads - students come from a variety of educational backgrounds and are admitted for various reasons, of which legacy is just one possibility.

More info https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2003/4/3/expos-10-20-30-w...

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#73

Post by watwut » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 1:52 PM UTC

macspoofing wrote: post #61

watwut wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, I am saying that the stereotype he detected really exists and somehow happily coexist with other stereotypes. That the stereotypes when combined into one person become inconsistent. Personally I knew plenty of boys that were not fuckups. I know also boys who are fuckups or went through periods where they as kids were troubles, but I know also plenty of perfectly fine boys.

>I am saying that the stereotype he detected really exists and somehow happily coexist with other stereotypes. Of course each of us has to deal with a plethora of cultural influences and pressures, but in this case you're just asserting things and maybe gaslighting a little. Someone shared an anecdote that counteracts your assertion and you go and post hoc fit your conclusion by claiming there are in fact other secre…

OP wrote: "Strange, when I was a kid adults had the opposite attitude towards us. Boys were considered inherently mischievous, prone to cheating or making shortcuts, and always up to no good, while girls were considered rule-abiding, smart and hard-working."

Me posting first time: these stereotypes coexist.

You: You are opposing him and gasslighting. Also, he contradicted you.

Me now: wtf. Also, he could not contradict my assertion, because I joined only after him and made no assertion before.

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#74

Post by jakubp » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 2:30 PM UTC

ergo14 wrote: post #48

jakubp wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure what culture you are from, but in Poland at least I have almost never heard girls (or anyone!) say anything particularly bad of that sort to boys, but I sure have heard said a lot to girls. There's definitely still a strong 'boyish' culture where boys can say almost anything they like and it's OK, but girls (for whatever reason) won't. It's not about who's better - it's about what we let people get away with…

I'm also from same country, and I have seen both genders call other stupid when I was a teen. I have very rarely encountered any hostility towards women in professional environment though. I you hear that a lot in your environemnt - maybe its time to speak up against it and/or change it for something better.

Interesting. I wonder if we had different experiences, or was I blind to something done _to_ boys. Something to ponder.

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#75

Post by macspoofing » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 2:33 PM UTC

watwut wrote: post #73

macspoofing wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I am saying that the stereotype he detected really exists and somehow happily coexist with other stereotypes. Of course each of us has to deal with a plethora of cultural influences and pressures, but in this case you're just asserting things and maybe gaslighting a little. Someone shared an anecdote that counteracts your assertion and you go and post hoc fit your conclusion by claiming there are in fact other secre…

OP wrote: "Strange, when I was a kid adults had the opposite attitude towards us. Boys were considered inherently mischievous, prone to cheating or making shortcuts, and always up to no good, while girls were considered rule-abiding, smart and hard-working." Me posting first time: these stereotypes coexist. You: You are opposing him and gasslighting. Also, he contradicted you. Me now: wtf. Also, he could not contradi…

I understand what you were trying to say. Have you considered that maybe the other stereotypes did not coexist or were not influential? That's what I'm saying.

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#76

Post by gdy » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 2:34 PM UTC

eecc wrote: post #67

gdy wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You comment is anything but positive, and yet you have written it. The last paragraph ("Thanks, for being today’s example. Now can you please make the effort next time?") is downright nasty. My impression from people like you is that your kind loves writing toxic comments but thinks that covering them with a fig leaf of a supposedly 'good' cause and high moral ground somehow makes that acceptable.

On the contrary, I do think that calling out nasty behavior is a net positive. Yes, a reproach is a reproach... no need to sugar coat it, but you'd expect the same if you farted or belched in public. Now, have a good day.

Good luck with farting at farting people.

Enjoy the air.

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#77

Post by stallmanite » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 3:24 PM UTC

ryacko wrote: post #11

burfog wrote: post #10

You do have the right kind of brain for science. Even healthy brains are desired. https://braindonorproject.org/ https://www.brainsupportnetwork.org/brain-donation/ https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/br... https://hbtrc.mclean.harvard.edu/donate/ I love how the NIH explains things: "As an organ donor, you agree to give your organs to other people to help keep them alive. As a brain donor, your…

And there are so many stories about science donations disrespecting the donors intentions. Reuters did a series on it: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-bodi... https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-body...

Just when I think maybe I’m too cynical in thinking that non-corrupt charities represent a statistical rounding-error, something like this pops up to reconfirm my intuition. Thanks for the link

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#78

Post by Balgair » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 3:33 PM UTC

burfog wrote: post #10

You do have the right kind of brain for science. Even healthy brains are desired. https://braindonorproject.org/ https://www.brainsupportnetwork.org/brain-donation/ https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research_progress/br... https://hbtrc.mclean.harvard.edu/donate/ I love how the NIH explains things: "As an organ donor, you agree to give your organs to other people to help keep them alive. As a brain donor, your…

I actually worked with donated brains while in grad school!

The donations were for educational purposes, and we were forbidden from knowning who the donator was. All material is periodically rounded up and disposed of after a set amount of time and then buried/cremated/etc (per the donator's wishes). We took the donations out to local schools and museums for demonstrations. (It's a bit strange just riding in your car with a bunck of brains in the seat next to you, stuck in traffic, trying to get to the school/museum) The kids were very respectful and we never had an issue with anyone. For me the best moment was when one little boy mentioned that he had an encephalitis catheter implant (tube from brain into stomach to relieve chronic brain swelling). He was able to show the whole class where his tube was, using the donations as an aide. It was awesome! We had many sections of brains and some dura mater. I'm sure we inspired a fair few MDs during those sessions.

Donation is highly appreciated. Charts and diagrams are also very useful, but there is just something very real/grounding/humbling about holding a real brain in your hands. All the kids get very quiet when it happens; it's amazing to see all these emotions and realizations wash across their young faces. This pinkish wrinkly thing is the whole universe for someone else, and your whole universe is just like this thing in your hands. People and kids have different reactions to the experience, but everyone appreciates it.

If you are thinking about donating, I can attest that the donations are highly respected, very appreciated, and greatly helpful to others, at least in my little corner of the world.

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#79

Post by ulisesrmzroche » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 5:20 PM UTC

macspoofing wrote: post #61

watwut wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, I am saying that the stereotype he detected really exists and somehow happily coexist with other stereotypes. That the stereotypes when combined into one person become inconsistent. Personally I knew plenty of boys that were not fuckups. I know also boys who are fuckups or went through periods where they as kids were troubles, but I know also plenty of perfectly fine boys.

>I am saying that the stereotype he detected really exists and somehow happily coexist with other stereotypes. Of course each of us has to deal with a plethora of cultural influences and pressures, but in this case you're just asserting things and maybe gaslighting a little. Someone shared an anecdote that counteracts your assertion and you go and post hoc fit your conclusion by claiming there are in fact other secre…

It says something about tunnel-vission and horse blinders and so on.

Re: ‘I believed I didn't have the right kind of brain for science’

#80

Post by gdy » Mon, Jun 10, 2019, 6:35 PM UTC

faissaloo wrote: post #69

gdy wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the same with Iran: "70% of Iran’s science and engineering students are women" [0] [0] https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.forbes.com...

More conservative countries are known for having lots of women in STEM though, take a look at Saudi

Haven't expected that.