We like to think of the field of science as a meritocracy, but it is fraught with politics, trendiness, and other human pitfalls. I have known FAR more post-do

We like to think of the field of science as a meritocracy, but it is fraught with politics, trendiness, and other human pitfalls. I have known FAR more post-docs who burnt out than succeeded, and not because they were lazy or unintelligent. Interesting that you would categorize them as such. This is something that affects men and women. > You may view the character traits exhibited by successful scientists as low status or unappealing. This doesn't make any sense, except as a pot-shot. Status is what it's all about in science. Brilliant, low status people are failures.