As scientists, we are building our careers on being the best (and often: the only, whether true or just stated) person who can do X.

That's what our endless applications - for grants, for jobs, for time on big machines and high performance computers - are about: give me the money, the job, the time to do X. X is of immense importance and I'm the best person to do it. We believe in it ourselves. 

No wonder that what comes out is a culture of overwork. 1/2

#AcademicChatter #research #astrodon 

 If X is so important & we are the best to do it, how can we spend our time with frivolous things in our free time instead of focusing on X? How can we leave the work in someone else's hands if only we can deliver the best possible result?

Of course it's all imaginary. The world will not end if we take a break. Our studends and colleagues will often surpass us.

But  this is partly where this stupid thinking - inherent to the system - comes from. 2/2

#AcademicChatter #research #astrodon