Questionably Critical
Fall is usually a good time for tradeshows and conferences. And, after nearly three years of not attending any events due to COVID, I’m back at many of the shows.
It’s actually good to be back, it helps to see the people in the industry and listen to presentations on the latest technologies, trends, and issues.
I like to sit in on as many presentations as possible. They help me identify topics for future issues and talk to prospective authors.
At a recent conference I did something I have never done before.
I asked a question.
As an editor in a roomful of scientists I usually keep my mouth shut. No need to expose myself in a room full of experts.
And it was easy, I didn’t have to get up and ask the question. Just write it anonymously on a note card.
The presentation was broadly about critical thinking and how it can and should be used to solve problems in the pharmaceutical industry. The part that caught my attention was how the speaker described the education process for most scientists. They are given information to study, they commit it to memory, and then are asked to (typically) pick the correct answer on a multiple-choice test.
This got me thinking. We know it takes well-educated people to bring new drugs to market. But when it comes to problem-solving are they flexible enough to think outside the box? To see things in shades of gray and not necessarily as always in black and white. In these situations, would it be helpful to have someone in the room who didn’t have a Bachelor of Science degree?
And that was my question. Scrawled onto the notecard and dutifully handed to a proctor.
“Regarding critical thinking, in your opinion, who has a more flexible mind - a person with a Bachelor of Science degree or a person with a Bachelor of Arts degree?”
I watched intently as my question was handed to the moderator. Then I watched as the moderator read my question and others that were handed in. The moderator asked all the questions – except mine.
I thought my question was reasonable – but apparently, it wasn’t.
So, I’ll ask all of you – what do you think?
Oh, and don’t be too critical.
Mike Auerbach
Editor-In-Chief
[email protected]
Subscribe to our e-Newsletters
Stay up to date with the latest news, articles, and events. Plus, get special
offers from American Pharmaceutical Review delivered to your inbox!
Sign up now!