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Posted on 09/24/2006 9:41:00 AM PDT by John Jorsett
Rocket scientists, long considered the gold standard in intelligence among all professionals, are not nearly as smart as originally thought, according to a controversial new study published today by the American Association of Brain Surgeons.
The study, which appears in the organization's monthly publication, Popular Brain Surgery, is entitled "The Intelligence of Rocket Scientists: Myth Versus Reality," and suggests that rocket scientists' reputation for smartness is largely undeserved.
"It does require a superior intellect to function as a rocket scientist," the article concedes. "Having said that, though, rocket science is not brain surgery."
The article drew an immediate rebuke from a spokesperson for the American Society of Rocket Scientists, who blasted the study as "state-of-the-art pro-brain surgeon propaganda."
"As rocket scientists, we take offense at this naked attempt by a devious cabal of opportunistic brain surgeons to supplant us as the smartest people on the planet," the spokesperson said. "If rocket science is so easy, we'd like to see these so-called brain surgeons give it a try one of these days."
Professor Davis Logsdon, a University of Minnesota expert who studies the turf wars between rocket scientists and brain surgeons, said that he believes the latest controversy between the two groups has been overplayed.
"The fact of the matter is, the smartest people in the world have always been, and will always be, University of Minnesota experts," he said.
Elsewhere, after a backup punter at the University of Northern Colorado was accused of stabbing the starter in the leg, he said in his defense, "It was either that or start taking steroids."
Award-winning humorist, television personality and film actor Andy Borowitz is author of the new book "The Republican Playbook," to be published October 2006. To find out more about Andy Borowitz and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
Growing up,my best friend's Dad was a real rocket scientist (MIT grad) and his Mom graduated from Vassar.It was obvious that his Dad...and the kids,too...were very intelligent.
If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.
I have known a few actual rocket scientists. Even visted a couple at the hospital. It is an adventuresome occupation requiring utmost inventiveness and investigative talent. It is a science of sorts.
'A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship. design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.
Shhh! Don't give the federal education bureaucrats any more ideas for the high school curriculum.
Yeah. How's our improv going? Any of the original riff left?
Bill Maher is funny?
Who knew!
do they actually read the directions?
funny :D
They all pale in comparison to the legendary rocket surgeon.
/johnny
Is that like an in-flight missile technician?
I tried that for a while but I didn't like being away from home so much.
...or rocket surgery for that matter.
"Many are incredibly smart at one thing.....rocket science."Excellent observation.IMO they tend to concentrate in one area of expertise to the exclusion of more mundane skills.Anecdote:We had a handfull of science majors(engineering,chemistry,physics,etc)on my floor in college.Most very bright-ie SAT scores in the statosphere,GPA's hovering around 4.0,but when it came right down to it many were lacking in social skills(introverted).One evening my neighbor(aka the Mole)decided to see what would happen if he threw pennies(hundreds)in the WUSF satellite dish.Reasoning?Intellectual curiosity.
He aimed for the moon but hit London.
Hey, you only have to do it once, then you can retire.
Amusing. But based on my experience, neither does very well in mathematics.
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