One of the research projects that I’m involved with at the Scientists Discovery Room, is a visualization of biological classification, primarily the traditional Linnaean taxonomy (this is what you would have learnt in high school biology: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species) and the modern phylogenetics (a classification model which groups species based on relatedness). Speaking on the history of biotic classification, The Tree of Life makes an interesting point about why the general public still clings on to Linnaean classification, despite it being a scientifically antiquated concept:

The ideas underlying the concept of the Great Chain of Being were overwhelmed by the concept and consequences of descent with modification. However, this idea of a linear ordering to nature explains why, among the essential concepts of modern science, those linked with phylogenetics are the least assimilated by the general public. Indeed, if the biological basis of a concept is difficult to grasp, it is often easier on our self-esteem to avoid learning it and to replace it by some nonscientific icon from the past.

Earlier this month, I moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts for a six month research fellowship at Harvard University. Needless to say, it was a tremendously busy semester leading up to the move, as I tried to complete as much of my thesis research as humanly possible so that I could switch to working on it part time for the next six months. Despite the frantic (and no doubt unsustainable) pace, it was easily the most productive time of my graduate degree. Having a concrete deadline was exceptionally motivating and in the end, it proved to be a hectic but rewarding time.

Here in Cambridge, things are in transition. It’s a bit of a leap to go from working full time (and then some) on a project that is nearing its auspicous finale, to a pristine and unrelated project, in a new work environment. With that said, you pick up things quickly. As the end of my third week at Harvard draws to a close, I’m beginning to feel acclimatized. I’m not totally there yet, but it’s coming.

I think a part of me is still holding on to the naïve idea that the “next thing” is going to be so much better and easier then what I am currently doing. As if all the stresses and challenges of the current day will be just a mere memory in this not-to-distant, consolatory future, where everything is conducted with grace and ease. (Forgive the hyperbole, as it is merely for illustrative purposes. And I shamelessly enjoy the dramatic flourish.) While I do believe that the future will be better, I’m beginning to learn that with these new affordances are not without their own cost; that there is an eternal struggle, who’s ante is continually increased.

Before coming here, my early ideas of this Ivy League school were tainted with this puerile idea. Papers don’t write themselves, but the potential for interacting and working with some truly remarkable researchers is termendous. The amount of effort to realize those collaborations is still non-trival, but the difference is the abundance of opportunity. That’s the real advantage, and that’s why in my mind things are better.

As an aside, if I was looking for a school where papers write themselves, I really should have gone to MIT:  SCIgen truly does write the paper for you.  Albeit, this is old news, but it still puts a smile on my face. And with any luck, I should be going on a tour of the Media Lab in the next little bit. I’m looking forward to that.