Guardrails

Teacher: “I’m basically guiding you through a harrowing mountain range where one bad step leads to death.”

Possibility Trap

“My scientific colleagues are not going to be happy with me when they hear about this…”

Scientists

Scientists are people too, and it would do us all well to not forget that.

Creative Mood

Seriously, it’s like my mind wants to rebel each time I sit down.

Simple Plot

“This plot looks easy to make.”

“Yeah… there were some twists and turns.”

(Hat-tip to my friend Benjamin for this idea.)

Buzzwords

“I don’t even notice the sound anymore. I usually work on these kind of things, so I’m used to it.”

Rigour

I’m on a roll with this “mathematics is mightier than physics” theme!

Bending

It would probably be more satisfying for the mathematicians if the physicists didn’t actually succeed by breaking the rules.

Physics Marketing

“Making this marketing class mandatory for physics student is going to be the biggest distinguishing factor between our program and all the others!”

Oral Exam

It’s just great that we are expected to come up with answers on the fly, as if pausing to ponder is discouraged.