Multimedia
Video blogs, video series, podcasts, science art, photo essays
Journey
#589 Damsels and Dragons
We sit down for a whirlwind tour of the entomological world of dragonflies and damselflies with Evolutionary Biologist Dr Jessica Ware, Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History. We get a crash-course in what makes these insects unique, how they fly, their life-cycles, and theories for how they got so colourful. And we talk about the importance of diversity in science and entomology, and how EntoPOC helps by providing POC…
Use
The teacher: “If you think about it, we’re giving you the most topical information you could ever want for success in your career as a student.”
Coincidences
I think this is the reason behind the saying that life is stranger than fiction. Life is allowed to be as weird and wonderful as it likes, while those writers need to adhere to strict rules.
Ambition
Advice: A cover letter should center your expertise *relevant to the position/RFP*, not your career stage (bonus: cover letter template)
Your cover letter is about who you are, not who who want to be (unless it's a self-development fellowship or funding application). How do you do this? Check out my template and see what you think.
Groups
I used to be in the Mass of Gravitational Physicists, but I couldn’t resist the allure of the Superposition of Quantum Physicists. (Side note: This is the 500th comic. When I began, I couldn’t even imagine doing fifty. I had no idea I’d find so much handwaving to do. Thanks for reading!)
Distractions
Other distractions: The internet, any stray blackboard with a half-finished calculation, a dinner table with a bunch of other scientists, and a stack full of good fiction books to read.
Bat-Winged Trilobite Tattoo
I get so thrilled whenever someone gets a tattoo of my work. In 2019, I participated in Inktober, and used the daily drawing exercise to finally put down some ideas I had for a Field Guide to Flying Trilobites, which ultimately one day I’d like to see published as a book. This Paralejerus artibus, bat-winged trilobite is one of my favourites, and I’ve already completed a painted version. Jeff, or @jeff.rips on IG and @Jeffoglyph…
