A rather limited study by neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart of brain patterns in 40 volunteer journalist subjects seems to show a prevalence of lack of emotional self-control, as well as lower than average problem-solving skills, among other deficiencies. High blood levels of cortisol were significant.
The headline conclusion reached is that journalists are undoubtedly subject to a range of pressures at work and home, but the meaning and purpose they attribute to their work contributes to helping them remain mentally resilient despite this. Nevertheless, there are areas for improvement, including drinking more water and reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption to increase executive functioning and improve recovery during sleep.
[...] As a group, the journalists also exhibited lower executive functioning scores than the average person, indicating a lower than average ability to regulate emotions, suppress biases, solve complex problems, switch between tasks, and think flexibly and creatively. It is likely that the levels of caffeine/alcohol and the lack of water consumed contributed to the low scores recorded for executive functioning because of the severe impact of dehydration on cognitive ability.
Read the study here: TaraSwart.com [PDF]
[ n1: This is not a peer reviewed study. It was launched in association with the London Press Club, and the objective was to determine how journalists can thrive under stress. Tara Swart is a Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan, she holds a BsC in Biomedical Science and PhD in Neuropharmacology from Kings College London, and a BM BcH in Medicine from Oxford University. ]
(Score: 2) by https on Sunday May 21 2017, @03:54AM (4 children)
You're spilling elitist nonsense.
Trying to paint physics/calculus as a "only the best get here" field is bullshit. A different set of skills are required. Maybe the average NYT reporter couldn't integrate ex without Wolfram, but the average mathematician couldn't tell a passive construct from a "dagling" participle - and they'll have spellcheck turned off because of all the abbreviations and jargon.
Offended and laughing about it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 21 2017, @05:50AM
It isn't true that the average mathematician couldn't tell a passive construct from a "dagling" participle. Mathematicians do better than journalists. Grammar is about precise logic, which is exactly what mathematicians are good at. They kick ass.
If "they'll have spellcheck turned off", oh well. They are less likely to need it.
You could make a legit complaint about obscure humor, being unable to evoke emotions as intended, or accidentally offending people.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 21 2017, @09:34AM
It is "only the best get here" field partly because it has so little employment opportunities and partly because it's fucking hard. I guess it was too hard for you, else you wouldn't feel the need to make yourself feel better by denigrating your intellectual superiors.
Yes, the two fields require different skills, but the skills required to be good at mathematics require far greater problem solving ability and a lot more work towards competence. Anyone with a YouTube channel can do journalism well, although obviously not as effectively and skillfully as someone with a long career in the field and proper work ethics. When it comes to mathematics on the other hand, you are just taking your baby steps until you finish your masters degree.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 21 2017, @12:34PM (1 child)
It was just an example. I couldn't list every single field of study now could I? Any high school kid who paid attention can write complete sentences, spell, and knows what a split infinitive is.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday May 21 2017, @01:39PM
My native language doesn't have such a thing as an infinitive form you insensitive clod.