Yet I would be careful about looking at science through rose-colored glasses. You mention elsewhere the fickle and sometimes ruthless politics involved in filmmaking, the world of art and the music industry. Well, science is very similar. The higher you go, the more apparent this becomes. The egos tend to be large in science, and like the old saying goes, “Academic politics are so vicious precisely because the stakes are so small”. Learning science is fantastic, but it can become quite catty once you start using it to pay your bills.

Of course, everyone has different experiences. You have genuine enthusiasm for the subject, you seem willing to work hard, and you are a wonderful communicator. I am a bit insanely jealous of your diverse artistic/scientific background. In fact, I only discovered this blog after seeing the video of Au Revoir Simone performing on Q (on CBC), and it’s pretty cool to find out that you have an interest in science. Anyway, enjoy your studies, and I’m sure it will take you to fun places.

Also, don’t stop making music. I’d feel a bit crappy about that, since I just discovered the group today.

Dropping out of that class, and reading this interview, i decided I’m going to do an independent studies in Chemistry: go to the library and learn it all on my own, so when I am able to take it in college, I’ll be prepared.

For now, I’m stuck in my happy, rather interesting 4th period Astronomy class, building quarks and learning about other galaxies. Who knows, i might even go into Astrochemistry

Its Michael Shaw, back from those days at AMNH. I just ran across your blog, and its so great to see you’re still talking to Charles! Its such a touching interview–your story really is moving, you know.

I have to run to a meeting or I’d write more–It looks like you’re busy and all these days, but if you get this, shoot me an email–we should catch up when we’re both next in the same city.

I just bookmarked your blog site. I love your pictures, like the one you posted up of the picture taken in Utah of our Milky Way and Jupiter. I think it’d be so cool to camp out there one night! Oh btw, I’m majoring in accounting only because for future securities and partly because I like Math and it does get kinda fun once you know how to do it. But other than that, my real passion is music and playing it. Sometimes, I think of how awesome it’d be to just quit school and focus on music but at the same time, I’d remember how important school is and that maybe I can try to achieve my dream after I finish school since I’d have more money a job by then. And now, because of your blog, I’m even considering going into Astronomy but which most likely I won’t change my major. haha. lot of stuff on my mind. anyways… AWESOME blog.

Hopefully, it will inspire more wonder in the world. That’s a good thing.

Jeff-
I do know of the ’science cafe’ events, but I’ve yet to attend any of them! Terrible. I don’t get to do as much science stuff as I’d like, but hopefully that will change one day.
Thanks for passing this blog on to your friends, and I hope you continue to check in on this blog from time to time, I promise I’ll try not to be too boring.

Paul-
Thanks for continuing to check in on this blog! It’s great that you’re teaching your son a love of science and truth…if everyone had parents like that I think the world would be a much better place. I’m reading “The God Delusion” right now and it’s kind of blowing my mind. A post about atheism will no doubt pop up on this site in the future.

Bertrand-
That quote is golden.
Please say hello if you come to one of our shows in London in the future…we’ll probably be there in April-ish.