It's time to quit cowering

Abstract

Chemists cower. That's a stern statement, and, admittedly, a generalization. But it embraces much too much truth for comfort or complacency. It's time we faced up to some truths. Acknowledged our cowering. Did something corrective. Stood tall. Developed stance. Posture. Pride. Survey after survey has established that many chemists are burdened with an inferiority complex. They crave public regard for their profession, for their accomplishments, and recognition of their true role in the progress of mankind. Yet chemists—and chemistry—currently receive only a fraction of the recognition and acclaim to which they are quite properly entitled. Why? There are a number of reasons but let me cite just two which, in my judgment, are pre-eminent. One is obvious: People don't readily understand what chemists do. (The human mind seeks out simple—and often pictorial—understandings. A physician looks after the ill, a lawyer drafts deeds and mortgages and addresses juries, a civil engineer lays out highways and builds ...