Letters to the Editor
MXC 100*193
Published Letters: 39 Editor's Choice: 5
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I'm a brilliant scientist. That's the problem.
[Read the article: I'm a brilliant scientist and I fear for the world's fate]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]“I’m a brilliant scientist. And the problem is…”
Well, it seems obvious what your problem is. You worship science, the mind, rationality, and they’ve let you down, your False Gods. The problem with that mind-set, as I see it, is to imagine that everything can be solved by high-tech solutions, and since you being a “brilliant scientist” can’t envisage a solution, means there ain’t one. Well, possibly there is. Like, start by turning off all those damn wasteful lights in Las Vegas.
But that won’t happen, will it? Because people are selfish and don’t like change, or doing with less than they’ve become used to. Less light, warmth, food, comfort, gadgets, entertainment, children. That’s the real problem. Not faith. People usually only change when change is forced upon them, and that looks set to happen, although Armageddon is probably not around the corner.
I was once a working scientist myself, and am married to a scientist with an extremely analytical, intelligent, precise and clever brain. But the trouble with that particular brain wiring, as I’ve observed with my darling beloved, (and many other scientists I’ve encountered over the years) is that it comes with a fundamental flaw. Along with an intellectual arrogance that accompanies the quick processing skills, people like that are slaves to logic, to dry materialism, to only accepting what can be measured, controlled, mastered. Analytically, in the lab, they are brilliant, but as human beings, they are blind and limited in so many ways, as you appear to be. (Not that I’m not also deeply flawed).
Your brain’s obviously not wired for faith (faith comes naturally to me, I can’t imagine a life without it). But to a certain extent, it can be trained to let go of the need to control and understand and explain everything. Sure, look for solutions, like the other posters here have advised, but you also need to trust, to open up and surrender to the mystery of life a bit, because I think that’s your problem. Your concern with the environmental catastrophe is kind of a symptom of your mind-set, without meaning to deny the gravity of the situation.
And by the way, living a life of faith is the hardest thing to do. It may give some sort of meaning or comfort, but it isn’t a refuge for fools. For me, it’s looking for things like synchronicity, using intuition, understanding and hope along the way that I’m on the right path. It isn’t ‘magic’, but it does allow me live, to some extent, magically. You should try it. Start with meditation, and then, slowly, slowly, you’ll start to realise that you’re an idiot. And that’s part of your solution!
Have a good journey!
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there are 'alternatives'.
[Read the article: What I wouldn't do for my cat]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Try homeopathy in future. Might not be suitable for some problems, but apparently vet homeopathy can be remarkably effective, even where conventional medicine has failed. And it's bound to be so much cheaper.
Good luck with Ferdinand!
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So if you don't have ADHD, try this.
[Read the article: I'm brilliant but I can't settle down. I can't keep a job. What's wrong with me? ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Hi letter writer,
I can really sympathize with your plight, I'm a bit like that too: I absolutely have to love what I'm doing or else my life turns into cardboard. And I've had a lot of the same sort of difficulty as you about what to do with my life. I can't seem to use my educational background in the way I want, so I've had to get a bit creative, and flexible.
There are a few things you can do to stop freaking out;
1. Keep applying for jobs that sound reasonably bearable, even if they're not your ideal dream job. It's easier to find a job when you're already in a job, so you can keep your eyes peeled for THE ONE while paying off some of your debts.
2. get back in touch with the people who offered you the job that you turned down. Say you're sorry you didn't take it, and could they re-consider, or keep you 'on file' in case any other job turns up. A bit embarrassing, but you're a big girl, you'll get over it.
3. Get your novel published; it may take many attempts but hey, all the best authors were turned down loads of times. You never know, it could get all your debts paid off!
4. See about techniques to control panic and anxiety attacks, and try and figure out exactly what triggers them for you.
5. More than anything, don't get paralysed by indecision. Just make a decision to find a job, and even if it's the wrong job, that's still a better position than no job, more debts. Hell, so what if you change jobs every 2 weeks. Just make sure you get paid for each of those 2 weeks. The money would all add up. Eventually you'll get so sick of running that you'll settle down somewhere.
6. Ask your husband for advice and support. Ask your friends for advice and support.
7. Read 'What colour is your parachute?'. All about job searching and career changes.
8. Try doing a part-time volunteering job, where ideally you might use some of your education skills, like writing copy for a charity or other organization. Will look very good on your resume and will help on your job search, give you good karma, and keep your mind occupied and may even lead to a job placement! You could also do any other kind of voluntary work, it's all good, even if totally unrelated to career.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Best of luck!