The Superiority of Marine Science

I enjoy being a ecologist. Not just because I like being outside and am supposedly working towards solving some of the worlds problems. I like being an ecologist because ecologists are fun people. For the most part we get to play outside in the mud, grass, underwater, etc and get paid for it so many of us haven’t really grown up all that much. And, every now and then, we tend to drink a little bit. Its nice after a long day in the field to kick back with a beer, some wine, maybe a mixed drink and relive the day – chased by rhinos, saw cool cheetahs, etc.

Sometimes a sundowner beer to end the day turns into several beers and that makes the next day’s research a little slower. But, a few too many beers one evening after counting plants all day led to my epiphany of why marine ecology is superior to terrestrial ecology.

If you are working with a hangover counting grasses in the middle of the South African savanna, you are miserable. Your head hurts, your back hurts, you are dehydrated and all this while sweltering in 100 degree heat with no shade and no clouds. Not exactly the best hangover cure.

However, if you are a marine ecologist, you get to go SCUBA diving with your hangover, and that, my loyal readers, is a magical hangover cure. First, the cool seawater on your headache is like the best salve you can imagine – it feels like sticking your head in the refrigerator, heavenly. The weightlessness takes all your aches and pains away and after the dive you feel 100% better. (Diving also works if you had a very late night and maybe still have a little alcohol in your system. Just dries you right out. HEALTH WARING: Diving while still a little drunk can be dangerous and should be attempted only by highly trained professionals.) I guess you could just not drink the night before you have to be out in the field, but working hard and playing hard is one of the best ways to enjoy field work.