Giver-taker-backer

Yeah, I'm sure that you've heard those three words from lovers and they fell flat,
But this ring ain't something I need to give you and then take back,
I'm a little more country than that

I decided today that science is a giver-taker-backer and I like the above song. I heard that name on some sitcom a bazillion years ago and it stuck with me for a reason. This post is also going to be a mix of a post I keep composing in my head titled something like, "Validation". Also, sometimes I think science mixes up the order of giving and taking back just keep you on your toes. Here is a nice mix of science doing just that.

My PhD advisor's method of mentoring did not do well for me. My new advisor will make comments like, "Things seem to be going well," "You'll have those results by the conference," "That's exactly what you should do," and "Yes, that would be interesting to know." I appreciate feeling like I am doing something right.

I started getting results at lab. I have some pictures from the microscope that I think are beautiful, but nothing that provides an answer.

My PhD advisor was a stickler (sorta) when it came to the timing of publishing and defending. Within this week though, I finished proofing the [in press] version of one manuscript and the last small paper was accepted with minor revisions. All that disagreement over how defending and publishing would go with her, and it ends well.

Sometimes I think science just pushes you down until you are ready to quit and then gives you something good to keep you going. Science should be more country than that.