Here comes the science bit
I was all about the science last week. I mean, I'm always all about the science, but last week I had to rub a few brain cells together. Usually I sit in the lab just trying to generate data robot-fashion. But last week I had a two hour meeting with my supervisors in which they systematically tore apart my first thesis chapter. Hard going but productive.
Then I went to a neuroimaging symposium, bits of which were really interesting. For example the same bit of the brain that is activated when we see movement, is also activated when we see images that imply movement...
Ain't that weird?
That's it for the science. Doesn't seem that much now I've written it down. Made my brain hurt at the time though. I was glad for the weekend.
Then I went to a neuroimaging symposium, bits of which were really interesting. For example the same bit of the brain that is activated when we see movement, is also activated when we see images that imply movement...
Ain't that weird?
That's it for the science. Doesn't seem that much now I've written it down. Made my brain hurt at the time though. I was glad for the weekend.
posted by karen at 12:09 PM
9 Comments:
That is interesting. My brain can't really understand science, but I do find it fasinating. What are you writing on?
I have my first real meeting for the first chapter of my thesis on Wednesday, and I know it will be torn to shreads. But I'm hoping it will also be really helpful in the long run.
The first draft is always the worst when it comes to theses, that is my wise counsel to you both, Kees and Allison. Once you and your supervisor have a mutual understanding of where your thesis is going, it's much easier to keep them in line.
The thing with neuroimaging is they can never just explain it all nicely like you just did, Kees. They always feel like they have to show you 576,874,984 MR images which all look exactly the same. At least to me they do.
Yup I felt those brain cells jumping up and down when I looked at that pic.... I am sure it was the right side of brain that got all excited...
I could be imagining it...
That is weird, but you explained it nicely as Barbara said. My brain is boggled :)
An entertaining AND educational blog...what more could we ask for?
I am now on the lookout for images that imply movement : )
Sadly, I have never been about the science ... my brain just never worked in that direction. That seems tough having your thesis torn apart, but probably useful information. I think professors are extra hard on the ones they found most promising.
Well Allison, you may well regret asking but I'm studying the cellular actions of a chemical that's expressed in the brain and may be involved in how we respond to stress. My first chapter is about how a new technique I was trying doesn't work. I spent a year showing the various ways in which it doesn't work. So my first chapter is literally trying to make something out of nothing so I knew it would be a tough one. Good luck for your meeting!
Wise words Barb. One thing I hadn't really thought about was the impact of having more than one supervisor. They argued a lot. "You can't really say that, I'm not sure what your premise is here" "Well I think it's clear what the premise is I don't think you should change it" etc etc etc. But you're right, once we all figure out what they want it will be fine!
And you're right about the neuroimaging too!! This was particularly bad because they were combining fMRI and magentic encephalography so they were twice as many 'blobs' all looking exactly the same!!
Hehehe! Glad I got your brain cells jumping Barbara!
It IS weird isn't it? But then brains are weird Mel :)
I aim to please little one :)
If that's true Will I must be REALLY promising! Only joking. They weren't too harsh. They kept saying "excellent first draft" whenever they drew breath to launch the next attack. And it was definitely worth it, very useful.
Sounded heavy going Kees.
Liking the science bit though... I wonder if that works for... *ahem* I'll stop there ;]
I think the answer to your question is yes. I can give you some references if you like :)
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