Lack of sleep and publishing pressures probably play aml major role.
Title is confusing. The individuals themselves aren't aging faster, the median age of people is going up faster than for other fields.
Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
51–60 of 74 posts
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#52We need to experiment with different ways of organizing our scientific endeavors. Between postdocs forced to spin their wheels in the mud (or quit) for untold years, the replication crisis, generally misaligned incentives between doing the best work possible vs. advancing one's career, and of course, funding difficulties, I think it's clear that we aren't anywhere close to making the most of our opportunities to adva…
The current approach to science is pretty much screwed. In addition to the things you mention, everyone in academic science is silo'd and hyperspecialized, so there is very little cross pollination and new thought in a given domain. As a result, we're getting very good at picking apart the details of established domains, but very bad at coming up with big new hypotheses or different approaches.
I really think industrial R&D is the way to go, we just have to shift grant money there in the form of tax breaks in exchange for open access/patents that permit non-commercial use.
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#53Earlier quoted context omitted.
The more I think about it, the more I come to the realization that academia isn't really a great place to be. Thankfully I'm at the start of my PhD and don't have a MS (I can drop out with the MS), so I'm not exactly stuck for the long run. The thing is, I'd really like the option to "retire" as a college professor after a decade or so in industry. Having a PhD in hand from early on in my career will make that much,…
Don't let me totally discourage you! Far from it, just be sure to have realistic expectations. I absolutely loved my PhD work and I'm happy I did it. But I'm also happy I was careful to consider how this degree might help my employment down the line. Which it did. I've got an absolutely amazing research position that is well supported in the research arm of a BigCo now. I wouldn't expect that the pay is optimal versu…
I'm trying to break away from commodity software dev roles for research positions. Is a MS/PhD advisable? Is this a better shot than trying to get people's attention via a neat project (is that even a thing)?
Currently I'm working toward getting into an MS program for my own curiosity.
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#54It's harder than ever for young researchers to get initial grants. The pay is seriously lagging industry. In many cases, the resources at your disposal are substantially larger in industry as well. Meanwhile, universities are increasingly run by administrators. Faculty have more service requirements and less autonomy than in the past. Overhead expenses are higher than ever, as well. Furthermore! Tenured faculty are h…
>> ...universities are increasingly run by administrators. Faculty have more service requirements and less autonomy than in the past. I teach one course at a local university. I have near-total academic autonomy but I also have six different bosses, none of which actually teach. A new term just started. I show up at the staff room to learn that I cannot get on the wifi or classroom podiums until I "accept" my latest…
>Interview processes and resume writing are more important to them than actual knowledge.
No surprise there! Look how much content on these forums is about, implicitly or explicitly, gaming coding interviews.
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#55"The real question, she said: “Can you attract the future stars into this line of work?”"
Yes, but perhaps only the next, and not this, generation of future stars, after supply and demand forces have worked themselves out.
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#56Earlier quoted context omitted.
CGI, like the rest of the film/tv industry, will go where the money is best. There is nothing in film/tv production that cannot be loaded into a truck and shipped elsewhere overnight ... people included. Work is moving to canada for the tax credits but you'd be surprised at how many "canadian" productions are actually filmed overseas. TheBorgias was canadian. Versailles, filmed in france with brit actors, is supporte…
> There is nothing in film/tv production that cannot be loaded into a truck and shipped elsewhere overnight ... people included. Once you include people, how many other industries would be any different? Mining, tourism, oil drilling seem tied to a set location, but assembling something? Tech or not, seems you could just ship the people and parts anywhere.
Even mining is in the process of reducing the number of people needed at the mining site by moving to autonomous control from a central office.
For example, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-18/rio-tinto-opens-worlds...
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#57When reading the title I interpreted this as being that scientists show signs of old age earlier. (aging faster). Due to stress or whatever it would have been. Quite the misinterpretation there :-)
It could have been physicists conducting relativistic experiments with themselves as trial subjects.
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#58From the title I thought that I was going to read about why grad school turned me gray. =_=
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#59We need to experiment with different ways of organizing our scientific endeavors. Between postdocs forced to spin their wheels in the mud (or quit) for untold years, the replication crisis, generally misaligned incentives between doing the best work possible vs. advancing one's career, and of course, funding difficulties, I think it's clear that we aren't anywhere close to making the most of our opportunities to adva…
The current approach to science is pretty much screwed. In addition to the things you mention, everyone in academic science is silo'd and hyperspecialized, so there is very little cross pollination and new thought in a given domain. As a result, we're getting very good at picking apart the details of established domains, but very bad at coming up with big new hypotheses or different approaches. I really think industr…
Bullshit.
Re: Scientists Aging Faster Than Other Workers
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
Don't let me totally discourage you! Far from it, just be sure to have realistic expectations. I absolutely loved my PhD work and I'm happy I did it. But I'm also happy I was careful to consider how this degree might help my employment down the line. Which it did. I've got an absolutely amazing research position that is well supported in the research arm of a BigCo now. I wouldn't expect that the pay is optimal versu…
I'm trying to break away from commodity software dev roles for research positions. Is a MS/PhD advisable? Is this a better shot than trying to get people's attention via a neat project (is that even a thing)? Currently I'm working toward getting into an MS program for my own curiosity.
More than recommended, it is often required for research positions.
Just be sure to pick a program that has a research topic that will be of interest. Easiest way to see if this is the case is by looking at previous students from that research group, and where they ended up.