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.
"Having said that, though, rocket science is not brain surgery."
So say the brain surgeons about rocket scientists. Is this supposed to be a joke? Everyone know Democrats are smarter than both of them. Or so I've been told....by Democrats.
Gotta love skinny ties. The 70's were a disaster for so many, many reasons, but polyester suits and wide ties were certainly in the top 100.
He couldn't even speak untill the age of 4, and even then it was only German.
True story.
I found this article so funny I asked my wife to read it. Her comment:"I can't believe there is a magazine called 'Popular Brain Surgery'."
Me:"Honey, it's a joke."
Her:"You mean this isn't real?"
She is a lovely woman, but obviously not exactly a...well you know.
If rocket scientists were all that smart, they would find a way to get their projects funded privately, instead of sucking the government tit.
They needed an aircraft engineer to do that: Burt Rutan.
Method?He stood outside the fence surrounding the various communication devices(dishes and antenas)and threw pennies into a specific dish-we were informed it was WUSF's(the largest of the bunch).Result?Nothing-as far as i know,no damage.However the UP picked him up pretty quickly.As far as discipline is concerned,i don't know about that either,but he remained on our floor and in school.I don't believe it was malicious-just boneheaded.
Well, the answer is so obvious. The smartest people are actors and musicians.
For some reason the idea that there is a magazine out there called "Popular Brain Surgery" is giving me the willies.
It's a really great mag, full of helpful tips. You'd especially enjoy the DIY section!
Sounds like she's bright enough not to get her hands dirty when there is a big, dumb male around to do it ...
*chuckle*
Someone's been watching me for a week again? Well, not the last part.
Start studying. It comes to us all.
Rocket science isn't rocket science.
No bias in this report.
Now he's Albert Brooks.
> Rocket scientists, long considered the gold standard in intelligence among all professionals, are not nearly as smart as originally thought <
In all seriousness, whenever some researcher runs comparative IQ tests across the "graduate" departments in a typical university, the Ph.D. candidates in physics and electrical engineering typically come in second despite the fact that everbody on campus knows they're really the smartest -- at least in terms of "raw IQ."
Who comes in first? Why, none other than the guys and gals in the psychology department!
[Hint: It's because psychologists design all IQ tests.]
Do I sense a little jealousy?
He also hit the moon.
He was my boss during the 60's.
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