Myntende Pledge for Scientists

A few years before my idealism was worn away, I composed the following voluntary pledge for scientists. I can’t remember where the word Myntende comes from (Google returns no hits – none at all) – I think it was a corruption of an Old English word for honour, or somesuch. I would welcome any comments.

I will not accept money from military or defence sources, be they private or government.

I will actively promote public understanding and enjoyment of science.

I will critically examine and respectfully question the work and opinions of others.

I will encourage and nurture those with less experience than myself.

I will daily remind myself why I started to study science.

I will considermy subject on all length and time scales.

I will not tolerate sloppy thinking, overblown results, deliberate obfuscation, or poor presentation.

I will consider the ethical implications of all work I undertake.

I will not seek only topics with guaranteed success.

I will remember that good science depends on clear and reasoned thinking but not on authority.

Comment posted by Alena Roo (from vox)
[this is good]

I will consider the ethical implications of all work I undertake.

Do many scientists think this way? Doesn’t appear to be so. What was that about satisfying your own curiosity for the governmental account?

Comment posted by Phil Wilson (from vox)
No, I don’t think many scientists think this way. It is very easy not to, because once expressed in scientific terms a problem can seem very far removed from its application. An example is a former colleague of mine who has recently spent some time redesigning the pilot step on the Black Hawk helicopter for its Japanese “market”. He cut about 25% of the weight in a simple and interesting way which I was intrigued to hear about. But still, he was making a killing machine more effective.

Comment posted by JustQwerty (from vox)
Hi Phil

got here from Alena’s blog.

where the word Myntende comes from (Google returns no hits – none at all)

My google rerturned 14 hits ( your’s was the very first one)

http://wandership.ca/projects/eow/grammar/verb.php?id=1100&output=macron

Myntende Pledge for Scientists – Really Hard SumsMyntende Pledge for Scientists. Dec 5, 2006 at 11:37 AM; 2 comments … I can’t remember where the word Myntende comes from (Google returns no hits – none …plw.vox.com/library/post/myntende-pledge-for-scientists.html – 32k – Cached – Similar pages

Really Hard Sums self application/atom+xml Really Hard Sums (Atom …I can’t remember where the word Myntende comes from (Google returns no hits – none at all) – I think it was a corruption of an Old English word for honour, …plw.vox.com/library/posts/atom.xml – 24k – Cached – Similar pages

myntendemyntende. Antall funnet 10Start 0. Ant Ord, Lengde, Ord, Id. 1, 7, menende, 19274, Synonym. 1, 7, slående, 27221, Synonym. 1, 8, pregende, 69376, Synonym …87.118.59.213/xord/Xsyn2.php?id=19275&word=myntende – 2k – Supplemental Result – Cached – Similar pages

sendende1, 8, myntende, 19275, Synonym. 1, 8, postende, 66329, Synonym. 1, 8, pælmende, 124838, Synonym. 1, 8, rekkende, 89606, Synonym …87.118.59.213/xord/Xsyn2.php?id=19273&word=sendende – 4k – Supplemental Result – Cached – Similar pages

chr *** ISBN 82-92428-46-1 *** noemata.net kstadron enerike …… pre instimisunnsere utlig stredtynge goldtatt myntende salvrå lig ved hjulpe plig utgytesender optikkshandret overhøne søre ågerkompebånd stabil vestau …noemata.net/chr/chr060901.txt – 105k – Cached – <a href=”http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&rls=GGLJ,G

Comment posted by Phil Wilson (from vox)
Hi, JustQwerty, and thanks for the links. My google weirdly is now returning fewer hits than before (or more, if you include this page!). I now remember that I took the word from the first link you provided.

Comment posted by JustQwerty (from vox)
Well as you are probably aware, google results depend on your geographical location, so no surprise here.

I left a comment for you here:

http://alenaroo.vox.com/library/post/how-to-stay-up-all-night.html#comments