The march – ha! – continues. Resistance is one day at a time.
SONG INSPIRATION
March’s blog is inspired by Kid Cudi’s Superboy.
THE START OF SPRING
The banks of snow are receding. The temperatures are rising. And the days grow longer. Spring semester is off to a steady pace – not quite the sprint of winter. Part of that reflects my teaching load while the other reflects the state of the world. While I have a lower teaching load because I taught a winter term course, I do have several undergraduate research assistants working on a variety of projects. After the first few weeks of onboarding, all student led research projects have reached cruising altitude. Therefore, I have found myself beholden to data validation, writing, editing, and mentoring. I’ve deeply enjoyed it, and it has been especially useful as a way of distracting myself from the macrolevel dysfunction in the world.
LPSC – SPRING BREAK / LIVING IN LIMBO
For the first time since the holidays, I am preparing to travel. Over the next two weeks, I will attend the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference and visit my parents along the Gulf Coast for Spring Break. It’s a much-needed change in pace and scenery. Ideally, the conference will invigorate me although the specter of uncertainty in science lingers (see next section). I am excited to bring another student to a scientific meeting and give them the opportunity to showcase their work to a larger audience. These are the moments that highlight the impact of mentorship and bring me such joy. After the conference, I’m heading to the Coast to spend some time with my parents. I want to make an effort to visit home more especially as life gets busier with work and my parents get older. This will be a nice opportunity to spend quality time together, enjoy warmer weather, and eat southern cookin’.
On the other hand, travel is a much-needed distraction from the limbo that is academia and federal funding. Learning to live with uncertainty was one of my major tasks when I started therapy. Thankfully, I now have the tools to handle periods of time where the state of my career and near-term future is unclear. Whatever happens happens. I’ve honestly been incredibly numb these last few weeks given the state of the world. In addition to the evil intentions surrounding human rights, there has been an orchestrated assault on higher education and science.
THE ASSAULT ON SCIENCE
Inhale. Close your eyes. Count to five. Exhale. I told you – we’re going to continue to practice our breathing. One of the great deflators of the last 6 weeks has been the flagrant dismantling of the scientific apparatus. And while many scientists are activated, angry, and vocalizing their discontent, the public remains largely unaware of the true magnitude of cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the National Institute of Health (NIH), NASA, etc. Admittedly, this is due to a lack of understanding on how science works / is funded in the US. Although science outreach and communication has improved, there are still large knowledge gaps in the public understanding and perception of science.
Look – here’s the deal. Private entities don’t fund the fundamental science most of us do because it’s not profitable (yet). The first 15 steps of a 20-step project will yield no profit, but the last 5 might. Companies will fund the final 5 steps. But it’s up to the government to fund the first 15. And the money we receive as part of external grants (a rigorous and competitive process) doesn’t go toward lining our pockets. It goes towards building and maintaining infrastructure, creating jobs via support staff and student research opportunities, and purchasing necessary equipment. The return on investment is staggering, with generally every 1$ invested yielding conservatively 2-3$ depending on the agency.
But it’s not just about the money (although that’s socio-economic justice). It’s also about denying a generation the opportunity to excel, thrive, and contribute to the global scientific enterprise. It’s about slowing or stopping life changing methods in medical science. It’s about strengthening our resilience to climate change and preventing loss of life and destruction of property. And it’s about giving people hope by tapping into human creativity and ingenuity.
CURRENT BOOKS AND SHOWS
Recently finished reading: Fundamentals of Physical Volcanology; The Next Supercontinent
Currently reading: A Modern History of Japan; Starry Messenger A Cosmic Perspective
Recently finished watching: Dexter (s2); Squid Game (s2); The Penguin; White Lotus (s2); Zero Day
Currently watching: Abbott Elementary (s4); Detective Conan (s32); Dexter (s3); Severed (s2); The Floor (s3);White Lotus (s3)
Thank you for reading! The next blog is scheduled for Thursday, April 3rd. Until next month….
The Planetary Novelist 