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Rocket Scientists not as Smart as Originally Thought
Yahoo News ^ | September 22, 2006 | Andy Borowitz

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.


TOPICS: Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: brainsurgeons; geeks; intelligence; nerds; rocketscientists
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To: John Jorsett

"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.


61 posted on 09/24/2006 11:24:31 AM PDT by pepperdog
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To: Paleo Conservative

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.


62 posted on 09/24/2006 11:28:10 AM PDT by Freedom4US (u)
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To: operation clinton cleanup
>"Next they will be saying Einstein was no "Einstein"!

He couldn't even speak untill the age of 4, and even then it was only German.

63 posted on 09/24/2006 11:38:22 AM PDT by rawcatslyentist (If a monkey bangs away at a typewriter twice a week for ten years it could write an M. Dowd column.)
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To: All

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.


64 posted on 09/24/2006 11:44:36 AM PDT by Robwin
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To: edwin hubble

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.


65 posted on 09/24/2006 11:47:20 AM PDT by donmeaker (If the sky don't say "Surrender Dorothy!" then my ex wife is out of town.)
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To: lepton

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.


66 posted on 09/24/2006 11:53:19 AM PDT by Thombo2
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To: John Jorsett
"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.

Well, the answer is so obvious. The smartest people are actors and musicians.

67 posted on 09/24/2006 11:55:13 AM PDT by Hildy
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To: John Jorsett
The study, which appears in the organization's monthly publication, Popular Brain Surgery,

For some reason the idea that there is a magazine out there called "Popular Brain Surgery" is giving me the willies.

68 posted on 09/24/2006 11:56:40 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (A propensity to hope and joy is real riches; one to fear and sorrow, real poverty)
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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran
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.
Specialization is for insects.

Well, I ain't died gallantly (yet.)

Haven't butchered a hog - though I did see one castrated. that close enough?
Guess I still hafta learn that one.
69 posted on 09/24/2006 12:00:14 PM PDT by Robert A Cook PE (I can only donate monthly, but Hillary's ABBCNNBCBS continue to lie every day!)
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To: Harmless Teddy Bear
>"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!

70 posted on 09/24/2006 12:15:03 PM PDT by rawcatslyentist (If a monkey bangs away at a typewriter twice a week for ten years it could write an M. Dowd column.)
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To: Redgirl
A co-worker's wife is an OB/GYN. He's amazed that she can surgically remove a baby from a womb, yet cannot change a flat tire. :)

Sounds like she's bright enough not to get her hands dirty when there is a big, dumb male around to do it ...

71 posted on 09/24/2006 12:16:29 PM PDT by Fatuncle (Of course I'm ignorant. I'm here to learn.)
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To: rawcatslyentist
You'd especially enjoy the DIY section!

*chuckle*

72 posted on 09/24/2006 12:16:52 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (A propensity to hope and joy is real riches; one to fear and sorrow, real poverty)
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To: HereInTheHeartland
" ... die gallantly."

Someone's been watching me for a week again? Well, not the last part.

Start studying. It comes to us all.

73 posted on 09/24/2006 12:18:21 PM PDT by Fatuncle (Of course I'm ignorant. I'm here to learn.)
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To: John Jorsett

Rocket science isn't rocket science.


74 posted on 09/24/2006 12:22:42 PM PDT by Tennessean4Bush (I would never belong to any club that would have someone like me as a member.)
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To: John Jorsett

No bias in this report.


75 posted on 09/24/2006 1:55:04 PM PDT by GingisK
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To: operation clinton cleanup

Now he's Albert Brooks.


76 posted on 09/24/2006 2:08:53 PM PDT by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
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To: Prime Choice; John Jorsett

> 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.]


77 posted on 09/24/2006 3:52:34 PM PDT by Hawthorn (As a little byrd once told me, I've seen a lot of white macacas in my time!)
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To: John Jorsett
"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."

Do I sense a little jealousy?

78 posted on 09/24/2006 3:56:18 PM PDT by GOPJ (Muslim outrage would be taken more seriously if Muslims weren't such "double standard" hypocrites.)
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To: Young Scholar
Adam Smith is/was a paper shuffler!
79 posted on 09/24/2006 4:30:38 PM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ("Remember the Alamo, Goliad and WACO, It is Time for a new San Jacinto")
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To: Tribune7
He aimed for the moon but hit London.

He also hit the moon.

He was my boss during the 60's.

80 posted on 09/24/2006 6:33:42 PM PDT by Donald Rumsfeld Fan ("Fake but Accurate": NY Times)
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