Otago HSFY chat - archive

[Indeterminist]

Medicine is obviously a really great undergraduate degree to do but there's a world of great possibilities that do not depend on a degree in medicine. Recently I was able to attend a seminar from a visiting professor, Dr Mike Murphy on targeting drugs to the mitochondria. The drug they are developing prevents oxidative damage to the heart during reperfusion after a stent is inserted. Research like that would not only be really cool to do but could save many lives. Dr Murphy doesn't have a medical degree. That is just one specific example - there are countless challenging research opportunities to do really useful work like this. Different undergraduate life science programmes will vary in how they are suited to your interests - if you have any doubts I'd advise doing some reading and coming down to Otago a bit early - talk to some academics in departments that interest you. There is nothing wrong with pharmacy or being a pharmacist.


If you are set on medicine then there are later possibilities for entry. But don't think whatever other programme you do first is a waste of time - do something that interests you and make sure you gain useful experience. Those are my thoughts anyway.

 

[Medstudentor]

Medicine is obviously a really great undergraduate degree to do but there's a world of great possibilities that do not depend on a degree in medicine. Recently I was able to attend a seminar from a visiting professor, Dr Mike Murphy on targeting drugs to the mitochondria. The drug they are developing prevents oxidative damage to the heart during reperfusion after a stent is inserted. Research like that would not only be really cool to do but could save many lives. Dr Murphy doesn't have a medical degree. That is just one specific example - there are countless challenging research opportunities to do really useful work like this. Different undergraduate life science programmes will vary in how they are suited to your interests - if you have any doubts I'd advise doing some reading and coming down to Otago a bit early - talk to some academics in departments that interest you. There is nothing wrong with pharmacy or being a pharmacist.


If you are set on medicine then there are later possibilities for entry. But don't think whatever other programme you do first is a waste of time - do something that interests you and make sure you gain useful experience. Those are my thoughts anyway.

No. Being a pharmacist you get looked down on by people like Cathay etc etc (people who got into med)

 

[Cathay]

No. Being a pharmacist you get looked down on by people like Cathay etc etc (people who got into med)

Hi there, since you've whipped out my real name right there (before I edited it), I'd ask that you don't use that on the forums, thanks.

Also, 1) I presume we've met, then? and 2) Not sure where you're getting the idea that I look down on pharmacists. Would you care to enlighten me on these two things?

 

[Voldemort]

No. Being a pharmacist you get looked down on by people like Cathay etc etc (people who got into med)

Why would we do that??? We're going to be working together soon! People who look down on you are the jacka*ses (and why would you accuse Cathay of that? )

 

[MacTonight]

This thread just got interesting!
I was worried where I'd get my daily dose of drama after Shortland Street finished for the summer...
I can't wait to see how this plays out!

 

[frootloop]

This thread just got interesting!
I was worried where I'd get my daily dose of drama after Shortland Street finished for the summer...
I can't wait to see how this plays out!

You think this is good? You should see the interfaculty events. Cheesy broadway-esque gangs having dance-battles, the scandals of forbidden interfac love, etc.... People have been killed, man.
[offtopic]I jest, of course .[/offtopic]

 

[Medstudentor]

Why would we do that??? We're going to be working together soon! People who look down on you are the jacka*ses (and why would you accuse Cathay of that? )

Say what you wish. But u cannot deny the truth. I'm sure dentists look down on others too. We pharmacists look down on physiotherapists (who im sure look down on radiotherapists, and so on)

 

[frootloop]

Say what you wish. But u cannot deny the truth. I'm sure dentists look down on others too. We pharmacists look down on physiotherapists (who im sure look down on radiotherapists, and so on)

Really? It's 'We pharmacists' already, when you haven't even started pharmacy classes yet?
Also, I'm sure most pharmacists would vehemently disagree with you there. (As would most dentists, and most docs...). You're either trolling, or horribly misinformed about the healthcare professions...

 

[hardwork]

Really? It's 'We pharmacists' already, when you haven't even started pharmacy classes yet?
Also, I'm sure most pharmacists would vehemently disagree with you there. (As would most dentists, and most docs...). You're either trolling, or horribly misinformed about the healthcare professions...

I'm afraid that I have to agree with Medstudentor here. I got into dentistry and I now look down and frown upon pharmacists. But I look up to the Med students.

 

[Ben]

Say what you wish. But u cannot deny the truth. I'm sure dentists look down on others too. We pharmacists look down on physiotherapists (who im sure look down on radiotherapists, and so on)

The truth? Sorry to be blunt but what would you know about the truth in this situation? All you think you 'know' is what you've made up in your head about being looked down on by others, I'm sure even if you did get through to the MBChB program you wouldn't stop there- possibly even insisting that unless you were the best in your class you'd be looked down upon; and this, guys, is how the villains in comic books are formed.

Also, I have no idea where you've gotten the impression Cathay looks down on, well... anyone; looks like another 'truth' that you've made up in your head.

[offtopic]

This thread just got interesting!
I was worried where I'd get my daily dose of drama after Shortland Street finished for the summer...
I can't wait to see how this plays out!

Amg, ikr! Why didn't Zac get dealt with in the final episode?? Did Murry die?? Will Josh ever be cleared?? Oh mid January answers... [/offtopic]

 

[frootloop]

I'm afraid that I have to agree with Medstudentor here. I got into dentistry and I now look down and frown upon pharmacists. But I look up to the Med students.

You frown upon pharmacists? So you'd prefer there just were no pharmacists?
There's a good quote, I forget who said it, but it goes along the lines of: 'A society is screwed when it values a crappy philosopher more than a brilliant plumber, simply because philosophy is the more 'noble' profession. In this society, neither its ideas, nor its pipes, will hold water'.
You will learn.

 

[Ben]

I'm afraid that I have to agree with Medstudentor here. I got into dentistry and I now look down and frown upon pharmacists. But I look up to the Med students.

You frown upon pharmacists? So you'd prefer there just were no pharmacists?
There's a good quote, I forget who said it, but it goes along the lines of: 'A society is screwed when it values a crappy philosopher more than a brilliant plumber, simply because philosophy is the more 'noble' profession. In this society, neither its ideas, nor its pipes, will hold water'.
You will learn.

I am nearly certain hardwork is being sarcastic.

 

[hardwork]

You frown upon pharmacists? So you'd prefer there just were no pharmacists?
There's a good quote, I forget who said it, but it goes along the lines of: 'A society is screwed when it values a crappy philosopher more than a brilliant plumber, simply because philosophy is the more 'noble' profession. In this society, neither its ideas, nor its pipes, will hold water'.
You will learn.

For those who are curious, this is a quote by John Gardner, late President of the Carnegie Foundation.

 

[NAMPOLEON]

Say what you wish. But u cannot deny the truth. I'm sure dentists look down on others too. We pharmacists look down on physiotherapists (who im sure look down on radiotherapists, and so on)

Not sure if trolling or just horribly ignorant

It's not the profession that brings about that arrogant behaviour (hope so), it's just arrogant people

 

[Medstudentor]

Not sure if trolling or just horribly ignorant

check this out. The Angry Pharmacist » Blog Archive » The true story about Retail Pharmacists and Twitter Doctors
There are many other articles written by others who share similar views.

 

[Indeterminist]

Some philosophers seem to look down on everyone. "One must be above mankind in strength, in loftiness of soul—in contempt.", Nietzsche (The Antichrist). Nietzsche went on to contract syphilis and died following a mental breakdown.

Obsession with status is a lamentable part of human nature. It always reminds me of the pecking orders in cockerels. Nietzsche had some really good ideas - as well as being a bit of an arse. He advocated embracing life and the world, following ones natural instincts. But I don't want to be a cockerel.

 

[finallyready]

Speaking of looking down upon people, I look down upon those who look down upon people in professions they will one day need, utilise and refer to. If the comments were not trolling, then I can only hope attitudes change or they will find themselves and isolated career and life.

 

[frootloop]

Some philosophers seem to look down on everyone. "One must be above mankind in strength, in loftiness of soul—in contempt.", Nietzsche (The Antichrist). Nietzsche went on to contract syphilis and died following a mental breakdown.

Obsession with status is a lamentable part of human nature. It always reminds me of the pecking orders in cockerels. Nietzsche had some really good ideas - as well as being a bit of an arse. He advocated embracing life and the world, following ones natural instincts. But I don't want to be a cockerel.

Exactly. You're going to be a doctor, not a rooster. As such, you may have to act and think slightly differently to a rooster (although I'm given to understand that a rooster-like wake-up time is required in some specialties ).

 

[hardwork]

Exactly. You're going to be a doctor, not a rooster. As such, you may have to act and think slightly differently to a rooster (although I'm given to understand that a rooster-like wake-up time is required in some specialties ).

Did you know that Dan Humphreys is GOSSIPGIRL!>!>!?!?

 

[miss_universe]

Did you know that Dan Humphreys is GOSSIPGIRL!>!>!?!?

Did you know thats the most offtopic comment in this thread? (thats an achievement~)