I Don't Speak Geek

It’s been roughly six weeks now since I started writing up. Dozens of coffees, teas, late nights and bleary eyes later, I’m technically halfway through the process, having finished my first four chapters. I’m well aware that I’m an extremely slow writer, probably because I get really hung up on how every single statement is expressed, and that the document flows logically. And I’m more than happy to admit that if my time management skills were better (or existent!), I’d be much further through the process. Yet even though I can no longer keep track of my references (now numbering nine semi-categorised piles), and even though my “To Read”, “To Listen To” and “To Watch” piles are all in excess of half a dozen books, CDs or DVDs respectively, I haven’t been gripped by the panic that regularly used to set in during times of trouble (ie. swot vac) in undergrad.

In a way, this type of writing is much more enjoyable than writing a manuscript. With manuscripts, it’s as much about what you don’t say (ahem, or reveal?) as what you actually do choose to present. This often means that manuscripts only represent a fraction of what you might have slaved over for the better part of six months or more, and you seldom get a chance to talk about all the limitations of your work, hardships and what still needs to be done – if you do, you just end up drawing attention to the holes in your work. The peculiar beauty of a thesis is that all these concerns about wasted data and limited scope for discussion go right out the proverbial lab window. If you’re willing to tell the complete story, you can actually create a really enjoyable yarn and include more or less everything you’ve done, whether it’s been successful or not. As one slovenly and feral, yet very wise postgrad once pointed out to me, “No one ever gets to hear about negative data.” After all, isn’t part of being a good scientist all about being upfront about holes and room for improvement in your own work?? And having an open mind as to new things you could try??

I’ve often seriously questioned whether my temperament is suitable for the field I’m heading into. Amongst all the snivelly networking, ego massaging, back scratching and boys’ clubs, I’m content to stay away from it and naively hope that maybe good work will speak for itself. Maybe?