Science and Inquiry discussion

It's been a while since we moderators introduced ourselves in the Introductions thread. So we thought you might like to know a little more about your moderators. Just some general bios and how we got here.

BETSY. I'm definitely not a scientist. I studied French and acting in college. Then I started my working career as a computer programmer when computers were room sized and programs had to be keyed in via punched cards. I enjoyed it, but when they started trying to move me into management, I decided to try something different. After a few years counseling teens and learning accounting, I moved across the country and went to work for a law firm. I worked there for more than 30 years but in several capacities, eventually as trainer and tech support. I've been retired for several years now and am very much enjoying it. When I discovered Goodreads I was overjoyed. I'd been looking for a way to catalogue my books and this seemed perfect. Then I discovered groups. I've always been interested in science in a general way; I believe that science is important and I like knowing generally what's going on in the world of scientific and intellectual thought. So this group seemed perfect to me. And when the original moderator left and David asked for some help, I jumped at the chance. I don't read all of the book group selections, but I try to read a good percentage of them. I see my role as facilitator, to run the monthly group reads, monitor posts for problems, and keep the bad guys out. I enjoy this work and hope I increase your enjoyment of the group.

DAVID. I am a scientist, and I specialize in physics and physical oceanography. Currently I am working about half-time, as I am nearing retirement. My second passion is composing music, which I've been doing since I was a teenager--aeons ago, it would seem! I used to go on research cruises on ships for a few weeks at a time. During my free time I would try my hand at composing while on board ships. What a mistake! These were small ships, and they would bounce up and down, and cut your IQ in half! The other half was wasted, just trying to stay upright without falling--it's like a roller coaster you can't get off--lots of fun!

I have always been a big reader. But since joining Goodreads, I've been reading a more diversified range of books, and smarter, too! What do I mean by that? Well, I see all these recommendations for books, and after reading reviews, I see that there is a much wider range of topics that can be fascinating, than I had previously thought. So, by "reading smarter", I mean that I can be more particular about the books I read, and as a result, I rate the vast majority with 4 or 5 stars.

When I first joined this "Science and Inquiry" group, I nominated a book that I thought would be great. I had not looked carefully at the reviews. It was voted to become the book of the month. I started to read it--and it was a total dud! Oh well, I learned my lesson.