First, I’ll admit that in the past I’ve gone from being puzzled by this question to annoyed to down-right pissed off. It’s uncanny how often it comes up when I meet someone new. However, lately, I’ve learned to take it in stride. I’ve figured out that people are either genuinely curious what a physics student might do after they graduate, or they are pretty much clueless about life in general. It’s actually a great advantage for me to get this question from someone early on . If I figure out which of the two cases they fall into, I can quickly decide whether to continue the conversation or go do something better, like eat a burrito.
Let me explain what’s wrong with this question, but, first, let me point out that if it’s asked, by mistake, by someone who’s genuinely curious, I’m happy to let it slide. “What are you gonna do with that?” First of all, the phrasing of the question is messy, inconsiderate and displays a general ignorance about higher education. It assumes that everyone is in school to graduate and get a job–in that order only. What if I’m in school because I’m genuinely fascinated by physics? What if I don’t care to work for some middle-manager who looks at me and only sees a conveyor belt? Is there any room for those possibilities in the phrasing of that question? The question is a setup. It’s deliberately, though sometimes by mistake, cornering me and saying, “So, tell me what desk you’re gonna be jockeying when you graduate.” After all, we’ve all got to be good little string puppets because there’s no room for independent thought in our society, right?…….wrong!
Some people ask the question in a way that’s just downright snobbish. These people suck. They are actually saying, “Physics? Hahaha why would you study that? Only bankers and doctors make real money.” After all, life is all about money. When our delicate society crumbles and I get thrown in a political prison or if I make a few risky investments that go awry, my life will be over because all my precious green slips of paper will be gone. I should just end it all, right?…….wrong!
Finally, can’t we just talk about something else? Is it so hard to make conversation? Ask me about physics itself. I just might explain things in a nice way that doesn’t make your face do that thing. How about I ask you about how your Aunt Willie May makes her raccoon stew? I hear it’s mighty tasty. Let’s laugh, carry on and be friends, but if you ask me that damn question, I’ll hit you square in the face with a burrito…..haha, just kidding…..but seriously.