What if instead of fear there was fascination?

I heard about the death of Leonard Nimoy whilst listening to the radio as I drove into the city to teach day two of my cosmetic chemistry course. The interview mash-up that was played contained a piece of conversation that resonated deeply with me, as the ‘science lady’.

I’ve talked quite a bit on this blog over the years about what science is and what it isn’t but I never thought an actor would sum the scientific mindset so perfectly.

Nimoy reminded me that as a scientist, when faced with something unknown, un-explained or un-usual rather than fear, the scientist feels an intense fascination and wonder, a desire to find out more.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were more scientists in the world?

Fear nothing fellow space travellers.