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Message board > Members' Opinion Polls > Members' poll: It is rumoured that most rowers are scientists. Are you?

It is rumoured that most rowers are scientists. Are you?

You need not base this entirely on your degree although I think it will be clear for most

Scientist		65%

Artist		18%

Both		12%

Neither		6%

Total: 34 members' votes

by Erica - Sun 17th Oct 2004, 11:18pm

the reason for this is clear; "if you want something doing, ask a busy person". it's only the scientists with lots of lectures and about three times as many supervisions as anyone else, not to mention the practicals etc, who can find the time to row. people with time on their hands (in general) don't use it...

by Simon - Mon 18th Oct 2004, 5:42am

Erica said: people with time on their hands (in general) don't use it...

But it's also rumoured that most land economists are rowers, so that theory doesn't work...

by Simon - Mon 18th Oct 2004, 7:22am

Is rowing not both an art form and a science?

by Martin - Mon 18th Oct 2004, 10:02am

Scientist: 63%
Artist: 11%
Both: 16%
Neither: 11%

I guess to be a reflection on the true nature of rowing/boaties, this should be set against the science/art ratio in the university as a whole... Anyone know it?

by RTT - Mon 18th Oct 2004, 10:20am

Martin said: I guess to be a reflection on the true nature of rowing/boaties, this should be set against the science/art ratio in the university as a whole... Anyone know it?

And perhaps "Nothing" is the umbrella under which Land Economy falls?

by RTT - Mon 18th Oct 2004, 10:29am

RTT said: And perhaps "Nothing" is the umbrella under which Land Economy falls?

Probably shouldn't have quoted "Nothing" as that wasn't the category in the poll. "Neither" was what I meant. Apologies for any confusion. I shall return my B.I.G. badge forthwith, and cease to refer to myself as notorious.

by Mike - Mon 18th Oct 2004, 10:32am

Martin said: I guess to be a reflection on the true nature of rowing/boaties, this should be set against the science/art ratio in the university as a whole.

I would have thought it would be more accurate to compare it with the science/art ratio at Trinity, which I would expect to be higher than that of the university overall*

*I have no factual evidence to support this claim.

by Simon - Mon 18th Oct 2004, 1:54pm

Mike said: *I have no factual evidence to support this claim.

Now there's an idea for a great radio feature...

by Ingers - Thu 21st Oct 2004, 7:18pm

Erica said: "it's only the scientists with lots of lectures and about three times as many supervisions as anyone else, not to mention the practicals etc, who can find the time to row"

May I submit myself as a counter-example here?

I think it is fair to say that despite being a (very lazy) scientist, I recall going to very few lectures or practicals (especially after 1st and 2nd years) and once managed 15 months without attending a supervision. Mr Fisher (G & A) would also provide excellent exmples of the fact that it is entirely possible to be a scientist and have loads of free time, although I believe, sadly, that it is not quite so easy to get away with this much fun nowadays. But, obviously, as a teacher I can't possible condone this sort of behaviour...

Maybe the innate symmetry, repetition and the striving for perfection are the quantities that attract scientists?

by Alex - Fri 22nd Oct 2004, 12:17am

What if mathmos were considered separately from scientists? It was only the mention of Messers G & A Fisher that made me think of it... Given that Trin has so many of them, it would be interesting to see if they are represented proportionately.

Also, if scientists row because of a serach for perfection etc. etc., why the hell do artists row? The innate beauty of the sport? The endless titilating interplay of light and water in the gentle morning sun? The dulcet, even musical tones of coaches drifting through the air? The hitherto unappreciated potential of sweat as a literary image?

by Mike - Fri 22nd Oct 2004, 9:10am

Alex said: What if mathmos were considered separately from scientists?

From the Trinity admissions page, undergraduate proportions look to be about 50% arts, 20% maths and 30% other sciences. Doesn't really seem to reflect the nature of the boat club. Although maybe it's just the scientists/mathematicians who frequent the message boards...

by Dubya - Fri 22nd Oct 2004, 2:47pm

Alex said: why the hell do artists row?

This I continue to fail to grok. Maybe the ones that row are simply scientists who have been repressed by the system into doing an arts subject.

by RJN - Fri 22nd Oct 2004, 3:38pm

Dubya said: This I continue to fail to grok. Maybe the ones that row are simply scientists who have been repressed by the system into doing an arts subject.

I don't think I was repressed blah, blah - I just liked rowing and I liked my arts degree.