Wolvertown

There have been many words spoken and written lately on the persistent lack of women in academic science. Some believe there is a glass ceiling in the academy, or that the ‘old boy network’ conspires on some level to make it so. One very public person in a very prestigious place has even lost his job for speculating on the reasons why this might be so.

Do I have something important to add to this important societal issue? No, not really. But this guy does. He’s a smarty-pants math-engineering-computer wizard who writes real good. His basic argument? Some women don’t want to put themselves through the crap for such little reward. I’m not sure I agree with him that a career in academic science is not rewarding, but I think he’s talking about a very different kind of trajectory than what I’ve chosen — namely one with a much steeper slope. A sample from the article:

The American scientist earns less than an airplane mechanic, has less job security than a drummer in a boy band, and works longer hours than a Bolivian silver miner. Does this make sense as a career for anyone? Absolutely! Just get out your atlas.

Of course, everybody knows that Bolivian silver miners are a bunch of bums…