In order to keep us up to date with the latest developments in biomedical research, my school occasionally substitutes something called medium-sized group for lecture; we read a journal article the night before, and come prepared to discuss the salient aspects of the research. It’s a great idea to hone our understanding of research methods, the process of scientific inquiry, and the latest progress in a variety of fields.
It’s also a fertile ground for med student gunnerism, the way a pile of shit is a mushroom’s idea of Shangri-la. So of course, people got a little competitive in showing off their knowledge, one person in particular decided that it was their role to educate the rest of us fools. Clearly having spent a few hours of quality time with the journal article the night before, this individual proceeded to dominate our discussion of cystic fibrosis for the duration of 2 hours.
So I have no problem with people striving for excellence. That’s really….well, excellent. And needed, since there are med students like me who strive for passing with a bare minimum of effort. We need the former people to advance the science, and fire the engines of medicine. On some level I’m grateful to these folks, I’m not kidding.
But must you make it so fucking obvious that you know more about the delta-F508 cystic fibrosis mutation than me? I understand that cities would crumble before the force of your intellect, but must you so blatantly display your science penis? Because, really, that’s what this boils down to; a strange form of penis envy. Would you be satisfied if I bask in the eternal glory of your incredibly profound knowledge of cystic fibrosis? I will repent the diminutive capacities of my meager cerebral pecker before the sperm whale proportions of your cortical member. I’ll start a religion, you can be the messiah, and we will worship phallic monuments dedicated to your ginormous science penis.
Just one condition: please shut the fuck up more often? Please. Let idiots like me talk a little more. If anything, I’ll make you look good right?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Loved this and the one before it. Too bad I don't have anything quite as saucy as you to tell.
ReplyDelete-fuzzy
You bloody SOB, what have you gotten yourself into now. I really like your post, it's eloquently mad, it makes me want to go back to the glorious days of writing. But though i may agree with you on some level that sometimes students go to far with showing off, I think you have to take into consideration the intention of those people. It makes the difference between someone trying to best everyone at everything in life and someone acquiring knowledge solely for the pursuit of knowledge for its value in and of itself or for pursuit of humanity(in future ocupation).
ReplyDeleteAlso, what i have found important over the years is the contrast between Phenomena and Noumena in the social sense, or my perception of someone and what he really is like. Often I may presume and judge on face value, but through other experiences with that individual find out I was mistaken in my judgment. Do you say where I'm getting?
I'm not sure who you are talking about in the Medium Size Group because i don't remember someone overpowering the discussions. I do remember times though where clearly some individuals were trying to outshine themselves over their classmates, which to me is very ingenuine and egotistice.....d but in general though, i think most people who share their knowledge are not usually trying to show off, it's merely a human obscession to share what you know or fill in the gaps in a discussion.
I find myself becoming more neutral and trusting in my judgement lately, and though it may be naive, at least it may give me peace in our giant struggle that is the medical school.
Sorry for the ambiguity in some of my phrases. i sound so elitist, ugghh
Cheers