This week's strip is a look into the world of a scientist. This is actually the part of the whole research profession that turns me off to being a researcher or at least leading research (doing the grunt work in the field or lab is fun but pays nothing).
Many scientists research for the joy of discovery, to learn new things about the world around them and perhaps extend that knowledge to applications that will make life better or easier for people or the environment.
The catch is, scientists need funds. Historically, being a scientist was not a profession. Scientists either funded their own research or had a patron fund them. Modern scientists rely on grants. They have to convince people to give them money to continue their work. Contrary to some thoughts, scientists typically don't skew their data for interest groups. However, how data is interpreted and what data they choose to present can be done selectively. For example, if your research receives funds from a tobacco company, the scientist will present the data that is most positive (or least negative) toward cigarettes. It also helps to suggest that further research on the subject would be useful (and maybe hint that it would be beneficial to the sponsors) – so someone will fund that research.
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