A scientist, in a broad sense, is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word. Scientists perform research toward a more comprehensive understanding of nature, including physical, mathematical and social realms.
Philosophy can be seen as a distinct activity, which is aimed towards a more comprehensive understanding of intangible aspects of reality and experience that cannot be physically measured.
Scientists are also distinct from engineers, those who develop devices that serve practical purposes. When science is done with a goal toward practical utility, it is called applied science (short of the creation of new devices that fall into the realm of engineering). When science is done with an inclusion of intangible aspects of reality it is called natural philosophy.
Social roles that partly correspond with the modern scientist can be identified going back at least until 17th century natural philosophy, but the term scientist is much more recent. Until the late 19th or early 20th century, those who pursued science were called "natural philosophers" or "men of science".
Plot
Meek, little inventor Calvin Q. Calculus defies the ranting of his battle-ax wife and invents a portable hole, which will revolutionize dog bone storage, rescue of babies from safes, and golfer putts. But a thief steals Calculus' supply of portable holes and uses them to go on a crime spree.
Keywords: 1950s, 20th-century, bank-robbery, bossy-wife, burlesque-theater, cave-woman, caveman, child-in-peril, crime-does-not-pay, crime-wave
Calvin Q. Calculus: I invented the portable hole for the good of humanity. But let us all hope it will never be used for evil purposes.
[last lines]::[Prof. Calculus throws a portable hole on the floor, which causes his wife to fall down straight to hell; the devil comes out carrying her out of hell]::The Devil: Isn't it bad enough down there without her?
Plot
Segments: "A Rustic Ballad," a story of feuding hillbillys; "A Tone Poem," a mood piece set on a blue bayou; "A Jazz Interlude," a bobby-soxer goes jitterbugging with her date at the malt shop; "A Ballad in Blue," dark room, rain and somber landscapes illustrate the loss of a lover; "A Musical Recitation," the story of Casey at the Bat; "Ballade Ballet," ballet dancers perform in silhouette; "A Fairy Tale with Music," Peter and the Wolf; "After You've Gone," four musical instruments chase through a surreal landscape; "A Love Story," about the romance between a fedora and a bonnet; "Opera Pathetique," the story of Willie, the Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met.
Keywords: adoration, anthology, anthropomorphic-animal, anthropomorphic-clothing, anthropomorphic-hat, anthropomorphic-musical-instrument, anthropomorphism, automobile, ballet, baseball
Narrator: Peter, don't just stand that way!::[the wolf leans Peter downward]::Narrator: And don't stand that way either.
[last lines]::Narrator: [Willie impaled by a harpoon by Prof. Tetti-Tatti] Now Willie will never sing at the met. But don't be too harsh on Tetti-Tatti; he just didn't understand. You see, Willie's singing was a miracle, and people aren't used to miracles. [to Willie's seagull friend who mourns the whale's loss] And you, faithful little friend, don't be too sad, because miracles never really die. And somewhere in wherever heaven is reserved for creatures of the deep, Willie is still singing, in a hundred voices, each more golden than before, and he'll go on singing in a voice so cheery forever.
You shoulda made me a drunkard
Shoulda made me a liar
Made me a preacher
With a head full of fire
You coulda made me a gambler
Coulda made me a thief
Made me a salesman
Pockets full of receipts
But I chose water over wine
Jars of formaldehyde
Think of all the things I missed
Why'd you make me a scientist
Is this the best you've got
I'm not impressed
Anything you can do
I'll equate and project
I chose water over wine
Jars of formaldehyde
Think of everything I missed