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    Stem cell thinking outside the box contest: win $50 and have essay published
    By Paul Knoepfler | May 29th 2012 11:45 AM | 10 comments | Print | E-mail | Track Comments
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    About Paul

    Associate Professor of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy at UC Davis School of Medicine. Long-time stem cell and cancer scientist. Cancer survivor...

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    I'm tired of group think and binary thinking and linear thinking in science. These habits amongst scientists slow science down and squash innovation. 
    Because I'm sick of this stuff and it happens a lot in my field of stem cells, I'm sponsoring a stem cell essay contest with the only challenge being to think outside the box. Surprise me. Change my thinking. Be concise as there is a 500 word limit. 

    The prize winners (two age categories) will each have their essays published on my lab's blog and receive a $50 iTunes gift card. 

    I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. 

    The full info can be found here. Deadline is June 30, 2012.

    Go for it! Wow me with your revolutionary thinking about stem cells. 

    Comments

    vongehr
    An iTunes gift card?!? That is the most boxed up thinking you could have possibly applied.
    And who are the judges? Will my entry "Stem Cells, Evil Tools of the Devil" meet an unbiased jury?
    Sascha Vongehr | 05/29/12 | 22:49 PM
    Hank
    Anyone willing to spend $50 to encourage people to do an end-run around group think is okay in my book.  
    —
    Want more no-nonsense, independent science? Buy Science Left Behind
    Hank Campbell | 05/30/12 | 02:29 AM
    pknoepfler
    Thanks, Hank. Sascha, I'm paying the prize out of my own pocket and and iTunes gift card seems reasonable and practical to encourage international participation. Importantly, I also think it'll encourage participation by younger people! 
    —
    Paul S. Knoepfler, Ph.D. Associate Professor UC Davis School of Medicine http://www.ipscell.com
    Paul Knoepfler | 05/30/12 | 11:30 AM
    vongehr
    You have just proven how old you are, ha ha. Here is what an iTunes gift card is worth to a young person in China who can use the internet as much as it would need to read your blog or indeed have half an opinion on stem cells: Nothing!
    Sascha Vongehr | 05/30/12 | 19:43 PM
    pknoepfler
    Age is relative, right? You don't exactly seem like a spring chicken yourself. You are actually wrong about many young people in China. They love iPhones and music, they go on the Internet. You just revealed your own bias and lack of awareness. China is also very into stem cells and pushing to become a leader. The web traffic to my lab's stem cell blog from China is skyrocketing.
    —
    Paul S. Knoepfler, Ph.D. Associate Professor UC Davis School of Medicine http://www.ipscell.com
    Paul Knoepfler | 05/31/12 | 12:51 PM
    Hank
    Well, he lives in China. His lab is all young Chinese people.  It's just that his style and tone is German.
    —
    Want more no-nonsense, independent science? Buy Science Left Behind
    Hank Campbell | 05/31/12 | 14:47 PM
    vongehr
    Sorry, but trust me old man, the Chinese who love iPhones and don't know how to download free music, although there are many (any type of Chinese is many many many many), are not the ones you want to write about stem cells. I have never met an intellectual or even just bright person here who touches such overpriced products that they afterward cannot even use properly with all the services offered in Asia. Chinese with brains buy HTC or suchlike (except of course if they are in the business of cheating stupid people; in that case having an iPad to flash is a rational strategy much like smoking expensive cigarettes).
    Anyway: Seems you want those who support iAnything or are happy about winning a Mc Happy Meal to write about stem cells and you do free advertising for iNonsense. It immediately makes the whole thing look suspect and low level.
    Sascha Vongehr | 05/31/12 | 22:44 PM
    pknoepfler
    I can see your point even if I disagree.
     What would you recommend as a prize instead? Cash? Donation to charity of their choice?

    These seem like reasonable picks too and perhaps more politically correct in your mind?
    I'm 45 years old and not ashamed of it. Is that old? I guess it depends on who you ask. 

    How young are you? 30-something at least, I'd wager. 

    I used to think that was old when I was in my 20s.

    It's all relative. 

    I don't view you calling me "old" as an insult if that's the effect you are hoping for. 


    —
    Paul S. Knoepfler, Ph.D. Associate Professor UC Davis School of Medicine http://www.ipscell.com
    Paul Knoepfler | 06/01/12 | 14:54 PM
    Hank
    If he didn't drive you out on day one with his insults, you're here to stay.  He is our Charon - ya have to pay the ferryman to write here I guess.

    I'm 46 so I'll buy you a coffee next time I am in Davis, youngster.
    —
    Want more no-nonsense, independent science? Buy Science Left Behind
    Hank Campbell | 06/01/12 | 16:05 PM
    vongehr
    Ha ha - I love how people always get my age wrong so much. Paul - old man - why can an old man not call another old man an old man?
    And what does old mean? Is "old" if you cannot grasp the point of view of the younger generation for example?
    Sascha Vongehr | 06/01/12 | 21:48 PM