Hi Mieke,

Not a problem, although I still think we're looking at similar results but coming from two different angles. (Come to think of it, though, I prefer gardening over the gym too. I just wish some of this heat and high humidity we're having would let up soon.)

On the other hand, I'm a bit surprised at some of the reactions that I received, not just from students but from professors as well, about science illustration. I can't tell you the number of times I was asked why I even needed or wanted a college degree. And, if an illustration was "conceptual," all I heard was how dumb the illustrator must have been.

Finally, at least in my area, there are a number of grants being given to college professors, especially at Harvard, Tufts, MIT and Brandeis, in trying to find ways to interest young people in the sciences. (Gosh! I hope that doesn't translate into a "dumbing down" of the sciences as has been hinted at in this thread.) Given the enormous interest in computer sciences and multimedia arts, gee, wouldn't that be a "novel" approach?! :-)

Ah well! I guess!

Janet 

>From: Mieke Roth <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: 2008/08/01 Fri PM 01:04:04 CDT
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [SCIART] Your thoughts please

>Hi Robin and Janet,
>
>I know about History of Science, but... that especially is not what I want
>to do. Reason for this is that I want to stay away from the most obvious
>subject you stumble upon if you consider to combine science and science
>illustration; although I love that field and I can understand why you would
>want to do it. 
>
>Sorry! 
>
>Another reason, but even more determining my choices is that I am not able
>to get a PhD just to have the title, do the research or give me a
>possibility to pursue a career on a university, because that wouldn't give
>me enough motivation. I need to be able to give it a purpose beyond that:
>something I or somebody else can really work with in daily practice (same
>thing I have with sports: I hate the gym, but I love to work in my garden:
>same exercise, but the later has a result that has a function beyond getting
>into shape: my garden gets pretty!). I am wired that way and if I keep it in
>mind it works for me, otherwise it would really work against me!
>
>Mieke 
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration-
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Janet Wilkins
>Sent: vrijdag 1 augustus 2008 19:15
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [SCIART] Your thoughts please
>
>Hi Robin and Mieke,
>
>I've been considering the History of Science Ph.D. program myself. It's a
>one year program if you choose the Master's program and a three year program
>if you choose the PhD. program.
>
>Robin, you must tell us what your husband thought of the program. Maybe a
>bit about the professors? I've read some of their bios but a little "inside
>info" would be appreciated!
>
>The reason that I've been considering the doctorate program there is because
>of my experience when mentioning science illustration ... I generally get a
>blank look and the question "what's that?" It bothers me even more so when I
>get that question from bio professors!!!
>
>Mieke, maybe you and I need to exchange some ideas on this subject too
>(history of science, that is)! It sounds to me as if we've been thinking
>about similar subject matter for awhile now.
>
>And, BTW Mieke, I'm sorry I was unable to attend the conference so I didn't
>get to meet you. But, I've been following the course of these letters. 
>
>Janet P. Wilkins
>79 Bare Hill Road
>Topsfield, MA 01983
>
>>From: Robin Brickman <[log in to unmask]>
>>Date: 2008/08/01 Fri AM 11:14:32 CDT
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Re: [SCIART] Your thoughts please
>
>>Hi Mieke,
>>
>>I expect that you already know about the History of Science field? 
>>My husband got his BA at Harvard in that department, then went on to 
>>a PhD in Physics.  Anyhow, here is a link to Harvard: 
>>http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~hsdept/
>>
>>It was great to meet you, and everone else, in Ithaca.  I'm glad to I 
>>rejoined GNSI!
>>
>>By the way, one of my son's friends is getting his degree in 
>>Archeology at Leiden!  It's a small world.
>>
>>Robin
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-- 
>>****************************
>>Robin Brickman
>>http://www.RobinBrickman.com
>
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>
>.
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