Ambition

The classic “U” shape of a paper. I’m guilty too.

Groups

I used to be in the Mass of Gravitational Physicists, but I couldn’t resist the allure of the Superposition of Quantum Physicists.

(Side note: This is the 500th comic. When I began, I couldn’t even imagine doing fifty. I had no idea I’d find so much handwaving to do. Thanks for reading!)

Distractions

Other distractions: The internet, any stray blackboard with a half-finished calculation, a dinner table with a bunch of other scientists, and a stack full of good fiction books to read.

Default

The trick for engagement: “Whoever didn’t understand anything of what I said, please say nothing.”

Programming

I have some weird obsession checking the progress of code as it runs, even when I know that it’s going to be a while.

Autodidact

Where do you think those school fees go, anyway? Teachers?

Magical Ingredient

Unless you hit on an amazing concept in the first draft, you shouldn’t be surprised to see changes between the initial and final product.

Focus

Doing research is putting this temptation aside over and over again.

Polish

Actually, it’s only one line on that page.

Subparts

I’m not joking when I tell you that I once had a statistical physics assignment which had parts lasting until around part s).