Ambition

Ok so it feels like I’m just plucking random words out of the dictionary at the moment and writing a whole post on em’, lol. Seriously though, what is ambition?

Definition: an ardent desire for rank, fame or power; desire to achieve a particular end.

I’ve never thought of myself as overly ambitious but like everyone I have many goals and ambitions to that I would like to fulfil in my lifetime. I feel lucky to have been provided with so many opportunities. Opportunities that my parents never had and in a way I guess I kinda owe it to them as well to succeed and be the best I can. I don’t think I’ve ever really been held back in my life, perhaps there have been some difficult circumstances where I’ve had to reconsider things, but I’ve never been held back, well at least not to my knowledge :)

Talking to a former classmate from high school, I discovered that some people see ambition differently. Upon telling him about my plans for the future, for my career, he seemed slightly taken aback. When I enquired as to why this was; he replied by saying that he had expected me to settle down fairly quickly and start my own family. I laughed and replied saying that it was the 21st century and that women were actually allowed to do both. He replied that had I been born in my parent’s era or in another country that wasn’t considered as part of the western world; then the thought of ambition would never have entered my mind. I would have assumed that having a family was the only thing that I could do in my life and that would have been my ultimate goal. Having a career or being an independent woman would not have been my top priority. I did understand the point he was trying to make but at the same time I couldn’t stop the look of disbelief from appearing on my face. How could my friend be such a sexist person? Some might say that I shouldn’t be surprised as he is a guy at the end of the day but still!

He explained that he found it hard to compete with women as well as men in the professional world. Apparently I was a major cause for concern during our A level’s as he saw me as competition and yet we still became friends, lol. He also commented that looking for a potential other half would also be more difficult as women just didn’t accept that you were the best match possible. They don’t just settle for whoever they first meet but instead think about their decisions, (heaven forbid!) :P I commented on how insecure he must feel and how a tiny part of him must now know what women have to put up with in a man’s world. I did actually laugh out loud (sensitive I know!), listening to my friend to paint such a sad picture of life. Basically my friend saw ambition as a curse for women specifically asian women I think. I know of many people, especially my fellow girlfriends that would be outraged at his point of view. I do get what he talking about but at the same time I just think that you have to move with the times. I mean the guy is in his twenties but thinks he’s living in the dark ages.

It’s funny that some people see ambition as a curse whilst some may see it as a blessing...

CASE STUDY: Athene Donald

Have no clue who she is?

This lady is a British physicist and a professor at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physics. She became the only second British scientist to become a laureate of the “For the women in science” awards. Her work on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease showed how brain proteins could be used to contribute to the development of diagnostic tests and treatments. Physics is usually perceived to be a male dominate area of science; science in general is thought to be male dominant. Therefore had she not been ambitious in her professional life, striving to be the best then she would not have been able to achieve all that she has.

So back to the question ... is ambition a good thing or bad thing? Does it depend on what gender you are, when you were born or does none of that have any bearing on it?

Seeing is believing

Back in 2005 I think, US and German scientists collaborated to produce a bionic eye. It worked by using a chip that contains tiny electrodes, that is placed at the back of the eyeball. The chip is linked to a video camera that is built into a pair of glasses which the individual wears. The images from the camera are relayed to the chip, which are converted into impulses that the brain can process. Basically the implant stimulates the viable cells by bypassing diseased cells in the retina, which can occur from a number of reasons such as macular degeneration. The work was to be tested in humans later on in the year and if successful, it meant essentially that the blind would be able to see again.

Forward to 2009 and a man that lost his sight 30 years ago can now see flashes of light after being fitted with a bionic eye, developed by the US company ‘Second sight’. 18 people across the world have been successfully fitted with the bionic eye so far. Although still in its’ trial period, the progress made by the patients is promising and scientists are now looking at how they can improve the level of vision for patients. Ron’s progress is discussed in more detail on the Inside out documentary on the BBC – Wednesday 4th March at 1930.

Linked to issues of vision, I’ve recently been contemplating laser eye surgery. Currently my vision is classed as short sighted and I’ve had a stable prescription for many years now. Although I like my glasses, I used to find them a hassle sometimes when working in labs/theatres, as I had to wear protective goggles in addition to my glasses. As my time spent in labs/theatres began to increase, I took to wearing disposable contact lenses on the days I knew I would need them and felt content with this arrangement. However recently I was offered the opportunity to have a free consultation about laser surgery from a well known company with the cost being picked up by the company itself in return for me to be included in some PR /prize draw stuff or something along those lines. I remember wanting to have laser surgery when I was 18 years old but was scared witless after being informed by one of my biology teachers that there is a slight chance that I could end up being blind. Ok maybe he was being extreme but still it scared me and I didn’t think it was worth the risk. The effects of the surgery were not known as many people were not having it done at the time and it was also a very costly surgery, something that my father would not have been pleased about.

Time passed and now four or so years later, I’m contemplating having surgery again. This time it is more affordable and more and more people are having it done, yet the long term effects are still not clear. Also I have issues with myself… I’m pretty sure that I’m not doing it for cosmetic reasons but more for the fact that I’ll have the freedom of not having to wear glasses again. Well at least for 10 years or so – the time that the surgery is guaranteed to remain effective for. I mean in terms of vanity, just by removing my glasses will not suddenly make me pretty – to think that would be ridiculous! So now that I’m sure about why I would like to have the laser surgery and that my reasons are not purely cosmetic… why is it I ask myself that I still haven’t made that call back yet?

Diseases I invented

The disease necrotizing fasciitis (a flesh eating disease caused by a number of bacterium such as Clostridium perfringens) was being discussed at a family party. Yep we’re a fun bunch I know :P Ok so I admit it, I'm the one who started it but then I got accused of making the disease up! There’s just no trust sometimes, lol. It then got me thinking about diseases and conditions that have been made up. For example a lady called Elaine Murphy (now a baroness) back in 1974, as a young doctor got together with her husband John Murphy and made up a condition. They called it ‘cello scrotum’ and err you can take a guess as to what it concerned… or Google it :) The condition was then widely reported in a number of medical journals. After 34 years, Baroness Murphy finally admitted her hoax by writing a letter to the British Medical Journal – the same journal where she revealed her amazing discovery. You see if you're gonna make something up, that’s the way to go about it. I started wondering about other ridiculous sounding conditions… but those which are actually true, not hoaxes. Anyhoo here’s my list of odd sounding conditions:

1) Tennis elbow – small tears of tendons attaching the forearm muscles to the bone at the elbow.
2) Housemaid’s knee – friction between the skin and the patella, causing inflammation.
3) Jogger’s nipple – soreness created by friction between skin and layer of clothing.
4) Fiddlers neck – skin irritation caused by contact between the skin and the instrument.
5) Bird-fancier’s lung – lung inflammation caused by contact with bird faeces. Causes chills, fever and cough.
6) iPod finger – doctors say using the same finger to operate your MP3 or texting can cause RSI.
7) Phossy jaw – white phosphorous (found in matches) causes brain damage and makes the jaw waste away.
8) Hatter’s shakes – Mercury used in hat making caused nerve damage and shakes.
9) Baker’s itch – rash on the hand caused by allergies to flour and other bread making ingredients.
10) Scrivener’s palsy – neurological condition that causes cramps/ spasms due to repetitive movements such as handwriting; aka writer’s cramp.

Most of these are now quite commonly known but they still sound a bit ridiculous and made up. Also I'm pretty sure there are more than 10 but I can't think of any right now. Feel free to add away any that come to mind. Meanwhile I’m going to go away and make up a ridiculous sounding disease now. Look out for me in the next issue of the British Medical Journal :P