Movie Science Versus Real Science: Vol. 13

Here is the 13th installment of movie science versus real life. It is so, so true. (Also, this comic strip hits way too close to home.)

(Tip of the cap to Vinko Zlatić.)

Technology Translation

So.... can anybody translate what a funding agency means when they write "Describe the empowerment of new and high-potential actors towards future technological leadership."

Seriously, WTF. I read that, and my mind just goes "[tech] [tech] [tech] [tech] [tech] [tech] [tech]" like in the script for a sci-fi movie.

I had a ton of problems with just the buzzword version of the word "disruptive", which seems like child's play compared to the sentence above.

Papers Versus Grants

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal has gotten it exactly correct regarding how scientists discuss papers versus how we discuss grant proposals. This is the truth (though choice of rituals varies across fields).

"Assess", Not "Asses"

Note to self: Next time, write "assess" in the grant proposal instead of "asses".

Reducing the Eurocracy for Research Funding in Europe

Well, at least we can try. Here is a petition to sign whose goal is to do that. Assuming that you believe in reducing the amount of red tape to try to get research funding in Europe, please sign this petition.