Misconception: Scientists are Geeks | SciAll.org

Scientists aren’t the ‘enigmatic geniuses’ that Hollywood pegs us as. Listen up – you might even save science (and the world) in the process!

No doubt, many, many scientists have geeky tendencies, like calling out the scientific names of organisms we encounter or using ‘orders of magnitude’ in everyday speak. But to assume that the Hollywood-ized stereotype for scientists (unrelatable geeks) is reality is an injustice to the scientific community, which is chuck full of geeks and non-geeks alike. Stereotypes create lame and unnecessary divisions, and in this case, it could weaken the connection (and trust) between science and the public it is intended to serve!

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[shadowlynxv]

I am the epitome of that misconception.

[Matashi]

Dude you inspire me to pursue Marine Biology, thank you so much.

[arjentilstra]

Before I started at university I had this paradigm that professors, post-docs etc. were all socially awkward people unable to relate to simpler folk (like me as a bachelor student). Once we were in the field and spending time together you quickly realize that, as a matter of fact, they are just human beings like everyone else. You can have a relation with them on a first name basis which takes out out all formality while still retaining respect. It was especially funny when my supervisor and I were working on my data and he said "fuck this goddamn data of yours", when we couldn't get the data homogeneous and normal with any transformation. Other examples were when we went on field trips and all supervisors did nothing but drink scotch and play cards in the evenings, now 7 years later I do exactly the same. I completely agree, passion is what drives a good scientist, not just intelligence.

[LoneRangerNY]

I am a state weightlifter, a varsity football player and also a geek 😂🤘🏻