What's the difference between a BMW and a porcupine? A porcupine has the prick on the outside.
This Monday, the new practical course session with the master students started.
I was explaining to the two girls, that my subject was nothing pre-done and there'd be a lot left for them to decide on their own so they'd get a better insight into real scientific work.
Whereupon the blond one stared at me with a fearful look in her eyes and said 'We already heared that your topic's a bit difficult and that we have to think and reflect a lot!'. I nodded and she went on 'That scares us quite a bit...'.
Well, first I said 'Na, that'll work out fine, no worries!'... an hour later I knew she was right...
Actually, her brain reminds me a lot of the universe: Both mainly consist of vacuum and are below zero (and you don't wanna touch the few hot spots). Also, the chance finding a black hole is superior to encountering an inelligent life form. Both are shrinking and a good part of the total mass is called 'dark matter' (where no one knows what it's good for). Well, one of the differences is, that looking at the sky and the stars is great and beautiful and makes me feel unimportant and unknowing...
My hope still is a bit that, as she's manipulating potentially dangerous things in the lab (like water taps, lab coats, glass vials etc.), she might get a darwin award ....