• Question: Would you rather be a scientist, or a billionare?

    Asked by to Bethany, Hannah, Keith, Peter, Ramya on 15 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Peter Elliott

      Peter Elliott answered on 15 Jun 2014:

      If I was a billionaire then I could fund my own research so I could do any work I’d like (providing I didn’t break the law anyway) so have the best of both worlds.

      But I’d rather do the science than have the money as I love doing my job and in the long run happiness is worth more to me than money.

    • Photo: Bethany Dearlove

      Bethany Dearlove answered on 15 Jun 2014:

      Can I say both? To be honest, if I wanted to be a billionaire, I’m probably going the wrong away about it. That doesn’t mean to say you can’t be a scientist AND a billionaire though – think Bill Gates (computer programmer of Microsoft fame, and donor to scientific research programs), or Tony Stark (Ironman!). As a billionaire, I’d still want to do the science, as I’m passionate about what I do. The money would just allow me to fund others that are passionate about finding answers too.

    • Photo: Hannah Tanner

      Hannah Tanner answered on 16 Jun 2014:

      If it has to be either or – I’d be a scientist. I’m lucky to earn enough money to live on doing what I enjoy. I think having a lot of money would create a lot of difficult decisions for me.

    • Photo: Keith Grehan

      Keith Grehan answered on 16 Jun 2014:

      Basically agree with everyone else here. The dream is to be both but if I was to become a billionaire today I think I would come into work as per normal tomorrow. I worked in a well paid job for a few years before deciding to go into research full time.
      I liked my job but by being a scientist I get to do my dream job and money wouldn’t change that…but I would buy myself a helicopter to get to work 🙂

    • Photo: Ramya Bhatia

      Ramya Bhatia answered on 16 Jun 2014:

      Very truly said by everyone here. I think some people go into their jobs for the money that comes with it. But there will be very few scientists who choose to become one because they want money. Being a scientist is more a way of life than earning money. So i would choose to be in science!

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