You guys should not encourage me to post...I have to put together 2 SCEC posters.
But, I can't resist this one. I received a solicitation in the mail to donate to "Friends of the Center for History of Physics"
This is "Why your support is needed"
"Scientists have been misunderstood, and indeed mistrusted, by people unfamilar with their work. A National Science Foundation (NSF) survey (Science and Engineering Indicators, 2002) found that 25% of the public think scientists are apt to be "odd and peculiar people." The popular media perpetuate negative streotypes; scientists are often portrayed as "unattractive, reclusive, socially inept....working in dull, unglamorous careers" as noted in the NSF study."

If these NSF people would stop wasting money on studies like these, maybe there would be more money to fund research, and some of us could actually make a living! Just because I live in a cave and use my new assault weapon to randomly fire at passerbys does not mean that I am "odd". However, it is true that you have to have a vestigial tail to be a member of the "Friends ....of Physics". And, most of the people I work with have 6 fingers or toes on each appendage.

A couple of years ago there was a letter to EOS saying that we should all shave and get contacts, so that we would not look like a bunch of beardos....
I personally have a different perspective on this....there are too many scientists, just like there are too many lawyers. I think it is bad for the field for there to be too many of us. The Professors have their own interests in mind.....if there are no students, they might lose their jobs. But, is trying to encourage people to enter the field a good thing for the students and for the country? I'm not so sure. Has anyone actually thought that the most talented people will avoid Earth Science because of oversupply...?

OK John V.....tell me why we need more earth scientists...and because it is your job to teach them is not a good reason....
Chris