December 12, 2006 Eye & a OJ | § The Lion’s Eye a ih die OF ; Page 7 If Einstein was a genius, why didn't he cash on it? By VICTOR ADU BOAHENE Staff Writer voal 00@psu.edu If Albert Einstein were alive today, I would have one piece of advice for him. Get a real job. A century ago, Einstein radically increased our understanding of the universe. His brilliant papers of 1905-proving there existence of atoms, unleashing the bizarre world of quantum mechanics and discovering the theory of relativity represent one of the greatest intellectual achieve- ments in history. And 101 years later, science is still a lousy profession. Why? Let me spell it out for you: m-o- n-e-y. Or lack of it. Growing up as a child, I always dreamed to launch a career like my uncle, who used to teach science at Tuskegee University, Alabama. One day he said to me, "I should have known; since I was a scientist. Educated as an aero- nautic engineer at Stanford, I once worked as a rocket scientist, protecting America from things that go boom in the night. I also went on a mission during the Gulf War in the Middle East experi- menting on the effect of harsh winds on our planes and how-we can find a way around it to defeat our enemies. But when a friend landed a part on a Broadway show and made more per episode than I did in a year, I sobered up. Fast" We as a nation give lip service to science, not cash. But there is a double standard that people in science should be above capitalism. If we invent a cure for can- cer, we should give it away for free. If we discover a renewable energy source, we should mail it on the Internet. But if someone writes a movie like Borat or Forty Year Old Virgin, they should get an agent, make a pitch and then retire. Go No residuals, just bupkis ‘Being a scientist is a lousy job because one has no financial incentives. Every time the movie Pirates is played, a check is sent to actor Orlando Bloom's house. What does Einstein get every time the theory of rela- tivity is used? Bupkis. Hwee. Ohunu. Nada. Nothing. The theory is taught every day in Penn State and other classrooms around the world. It is used to calculate the trajectory of the space shuttle to get our astronauts home safe and to determine the age of the universe. Where are the residuals? : Want to be a scientist? Do the math first. 'Shaquille O'Neal made $27.6 million just last year laying in the NBA: He played for 2,492 inutes (Source: NBA.com). That's 11,000 per minute. 'Labor statistics how that the average starting salary for graduate with a master's degree in hemistry is about $45K annually (source: The book of Career Links. oubters should check it out at the {That equals 38 cents a minute. | So when any of my Penn state Delco {friends tells me they want to be a scien- {tist, I quote Brad Pitt from the movie {Fight Club when Edward Norton tells thim how smart he is. " Clever? How's {that working out for you?" And I follow lit up with "Oh, yeah, Mr. Smarty Pants, do you or any of your so-called scientific family own any Pennsylvania real estate?" I'm currently enrolled in my own 12-step scientist recovery program to help make being a scientist more attractive. : 1. Let Hollywood take over the Nobel Prize ceremo- ny. Get Tom Cruise to host. As Scientologists, they cover the science angle. Throw in some beautiful, scant- ily clad women, slick production values, shameless self- promotion and overblown hype, and you'll have a hit. It'll make being a scientist cool. 2. Adopt-a-geek into their business. Instead of adopt- ing an underprivileged child, adopt a starving scientist. People could help pay to send them to graduate school or get that dental work done, they could consider it a community service and get a tax deduction. 3. Brain tax. When a person does something stupid - endless supply-they have to pay a tax to support scientif- ic research. So if someone gets caught talking on their cellphone in a theater, that's a $100 fine for a needy sci- entist. Mr. Penn State wants you! By SEAN ROBERT REILLY Special to the Lion's Eye srr5019@psu.edu When I was standing on stage at the Penn State Pageant, I was asked "What can you do to build pride on this campus?" Ironically, this is something that I have planned to better since the beginning of this school year. Of course we have our outstanding clubs that are doing their best to better the campus pride such as the Student Government Association, Lion Ambassadors, Blue and White Society, and so on and so forth. I know first hand that the three clubs I have mentioned are stressing them- selves and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones to make this campus better for you. I am also sure that all the other clubs on our campus are doing the same. However, you need to keep in mind that they can't do everything. The student body needs to play a roll in | helping boost the pride at this very small, yet very distin- guished Penn State commuter campus. Many events that have occurred so far this year have been considered "huge successes." Not to me, however. With about 1700 students that attend our campus, I don't even see half of our student body attending many huge events, such as our Pep Rally and Multi-Cultural Day. Sadly, on Multi-Cultural day, I saw many cars pulling out of the parking lot right before the festivities began. At the Pep Rally, I was very upset with the fact that when the Penn State Alma Mater was about to be sung, people began to run in fear. I'm sorry, but if that is the way ydu feel about Penn State, then that is a bad impression on the entire Penn State Commonwealth. I've eve noticed that the pride that our faculty has is also very small. F-can admit I see a lot of Penn State Delco staff members appear at many events; however, the num- ber of faculty that I see is very limited. So if you ask me, I consider many events that have occurred thus far a success, but no where near a huge success. : I understand the fact that a lot of students and faculty have very busy lives and have other obligations that they must attend outside of school. If that is the case, then don't complain anymore about the low level of pride. We are one Penn State family. This includes faculty, staff, and students. College isn't just driving to school, going to class, and then just going home. That is called high school, and Penn State Delco is not high school. Our small campus is a branch of one of the most distin- guished universities in the world. In other words, our Jow Penn state friends who are planning to get some you, bummer. It's not too late. If you can't settle with -major in anything else. You'll thank me later. Leave phi- Career & Advising Center). Let me help: ~ "Penn State-Berks" and so on. I know many of you have A scientist's wisdom If you want to understand the universe or be a genius, that's fine. It's called a hobby, not a job. To you my fel- degrees in sciences, especially in engineering, I say to Medicine, which I believe is the only stable scientific job that pays well, readjust your thoughts and get an MBA or go to law school. For those still undecided, lanthropy to the rich. They can afford it. I’m Bored! By MATT GEORGE Staff Writer meg5111@psu.edu What is there to do around campus? I have been attending this school now for about three months, and the same thought always comes to mind - there is noth- ing to do. ; ; is feeling is mutual among many of my peers. One thing that I have heard repeated over and over is that there's nothing to do at this school. The general sense from many students is that it's like high school Sxcepy hey know less people. Students come to class and then eave. I have heard people from Student Life and SGA ask- ing how they can get people to stay on campus. I have even heard some of the advisors asking how to get stu- dents to stay on campus. Not only is the lack of stuff to do boring, but it also takes away from school spirit. How is one to feel Penn State spirit when it seems more like high school? I've spoken to a few of the faculty and staff about this issue and Apparsrily the Lion's Den used to have pool tables and other stuff for the students. Then they ed ed to build another lounge for students to study in. Supposedly they spent ppasinaely $200,000 on it. irst oft, there is already a lounge in the Main Building, one on both levels of the Classroom Building, and more studying space in the Vairo Library. Second, there are really no classes over in Commons except for kinesiology and ballroom dancing. In order to get students to Stay on campus, I propose the following idea. Change the Lion's Den around for - the students to enjoy. Instead of it being another lounge on amps, transform it into a place where students can enjoy themselves. Add things that people could do in their free time. For example, activities such as pool tables, a televi- sion, board games, etc. people wanting to stay. But there's the question of what to do if the place becomes a |mess. Just take it away for a week. This way students will get on those who are causing the mess and get them to knock it off. They want students to stay on Sas, but they are not really offering a reason to stay. All they have for students is the basketball court and weight room. I know the faculty and staff have been trying to get stuff done for the students, but nothing is going to happen. Not until the students start speaking up about it. campus should be THE most distinguished campus in Southeastern Pennsylvania. No matter what your major is or what campus you graduate from, your degree will say: "The Pennsylvania State University." It will not say "Penn State-Delco" or traveled to University Park to see a football game or visit friends. I have been up there many times myself. Many of you can relate to the pride up there. IT IS TOTALLY OUT OF SIGHT! That same pride came be created here on our campus. So I am simply asking you: do you go to college or is this just 13th grade and so on? How your campus turns out all depends on YOU! I do not ask you this as Mr. Penn State. I ask you this as your Penn State brother. I ask you this as being a member of your Penn State Family. I ask you this because I care for each an every one of you. :
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