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Five reasons why scientific research is cool

— By Daniel Gorelick, 20 May 2009
(in no particular order)
- 1. You’re encouraged to find flaws in people’s work and correct them
- 2. No dress code - I didn’t know how to tie a proper tie knot before I came to the State Department
- 3. Make your own schedule - no 8:30 to 17:15 with a 45 minute requirement for lunch. Many grad students work 12:00 to 20:00.
- 4. Constant intellectual stimulation
- 5. Cutting edge exploration - make a discovery and you are the first person to know something nobody else knows
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Comments (3)

Michelle Austein Brooks

America.gov Staff

May 28, 2009 at 17:55 EDT

Permalink

Hi Daniel. I enjoyed your list so much, I made my own:

http://blogs.america.gov/bythepeople/2009/05/28/five-reasons-why-blogging-about-democracy-is-cool/

Reply
Olusegun Owolabi

May 30, 2009 at 13:23 EDT

Permalink

Daniel,
May be you can use your opportunity that you are in the state house now to see what USA is trying to do for Africa. If you have the opportunity let them know Nigerians can be better off in Nigeria if we can solve our energy problems.
I have a company that is into setting up small hydro power stations in our water dams to generate electricity for locals.
I need help in turbines gift to prove my case. If Nigeria has good electricity many people will not leave the country for USA and Nigerians will have reasons to thank Americans. There are more than 200 water dams all over 36 states that can generate 5 to 200 Megawatts of electricity for the localities.

Reply
- Daniel Gorelick
  
  America.gov Staff
  
  June 24, 2009 at 15:44 EDT
  
  Permalink
  
  Hi Olusegun,
  I would love to learn more about your company and your efforts to increase the availability of electricity in Nigeria. Thanks for your comment.
  scienceblog@state.gov
  
  Reply

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About the Author

Why would a promising young scientist leave the lab to spend a year working for the United States government? Daniel Gorelick is here at the State Department trying to figure that out. Full Biography

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