Being a scientist

[Ken-Ohki]

So I was watching a "movie" with a friend last night about some Japanese guy who freezes water blessed by monks and stuff to see whether crystals will grow. Very new age healing type stuff maybe you've heard of before. When it was over I said "It looks neat but as a scientist I can't accept the validity of any of this unless the experiments are repeatable."

She looks over at me and says "You're a scientist?"

Me: "I dunno."

She says "You're not a scientist, you're maybe a hobby scientist?"

So, my question is, what does it take to be considered a scientist? Mr. Wizard died recently and he and I both were English majors in college yet according to the NY Times half the entrance applicants to science colleges in the 60s and 70s cited Mr. Wizard as their inspiration to love science. We'd all pretty much consider him a scientist.

[Animematt55]

An advanced degree of some sort?

[lav2k4]

You are not a scientist until you get the Nobel Prize.

[Holy Knight]

As long as the person has extensive knowledge of a scientific subject and applies said subject either as a career or serious hobby, then I would consider him/her a scientist.

As for the film itself, was it "What the Bleep do we Know"? If so, then I find it to be a very interesting little movie though I would debate some of the material that is shown.

[Ken-Ohki]

Hmmm, Buckminster Fuller didn't need an advanced degree though he later received honorary ones.

And it wasn't What the Bleep Do We Know, it was some poorly made documentary narrated by some girl who hardly spoke English

[master terrence]

I think a scientist is a person who likes to explore in the name of science.

[CrossboneGundam]

So I was watching a "movie" with a friend last night about some Japanese guy who freezes water blessed by monks and stuff to see whether crystals will grow. Very new age healing type stuff maybe you've heard of before. When it was over I said "It looks neat but as a scientist I can't accept the validity of any of this unless the experiments are repeatable."

She looks over at me and says "You're a scientist?"

Me: "I dunno."

She says "You're not a scientist, you're maybe a hobby scientist?"

So, my question is, what does it take to be considered a scientist? Mr. Wizard died recently and he and I both were English majors in college yet according to the NY Times half the entrance applicants to science colleges in the 60s and 70s cited Mr. Wizard as their inspiration to love science. We'd all pretty much consider him a scientist.

Science is the pursuit of knowledge, most specifically regarding the natural world.

I'd say it would take a degree in a scientific field and a guiding respect for legitimate evidence (which doesn't include religious texts or bad photos of the lunar surface,) and the scientific method to be considered a "scientist."

And the problem with the video you're talking about isn't the repeatability of the experiment, it's the facts that A: Water always crystalizes when frozen, and B: There's never been any evidence of any causal link between prayer and any natural phenomenon.

[GreatNekoKoneko]

... i am a spoon and fork scientist. i got eating with a spoon AND fork - pat down to a science. now, where's my award?

[Evil_Koala]

Weird Science 8D Aaah...Good Film/Show/Song

[Meson]

A scientist is anyone who uses the scientific method as his/her guide to the world. No degree needed. However, a degree can show that you are at least trying to follow the path of science.

[Leader Desslock]

...a degree can show that you are at least trying to follow the path of science.
Would that be "pathology"? :P

[VSh]

I think a scientist is a person who likes to explore in the name of science.

Probably, you are nearest to the subject. I'd say that scientist is a person who researches everything permanently, not matter in what's name. And the force is need of understanding.

And degrees, awards, etc, all of them are symbols of honor.