<![CDATA[I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists.]]>I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?

One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.

As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.

I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?

Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/topic/9a96fce3-b1c8-4f21-b1f7-c9daf92925c7/i-had-an-interesting-discussion-over-beer-with-a-colleague-last-week-we-re-both-seismologists.RSS for NodeFri, 15 May 2026 09:34:22 GMTMon, 27 Apr 2026 22:15:18 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 23:54:59 GMT]]>@intrepidhero @wanderinghermit Yeah, that's the term I've seen in connection with iNaturalist

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://notes.kvibber.com/users/kelson/statuses/01KQB88YZ2XXBBV4QRS1EP7R8Jhttps://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://notes.kvibber.com/users/kelson/statuses/01KQB88YZ2XXBBV4QRS1EP7R8JTue, 28 Apr 2026 23:54:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:29:28 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit it sounds like wind in your hair feels, too, so there's that 😁

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Lizette603_23/statuses/116483513944040911https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Lizette603_23/statuses/116483513944040911Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:29:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:21:53 GMT]]>@Lizette603_23

Thanks for the suggestions! I think freelance might be the best I've seen so far.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116483248179345701https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116483248179345701Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:21:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:12:52 GMT]]>@Anne_Delong @wanderinghermit two more names I thought of this morning: irregular (which I like cause it sounds kinda punk) or community scientist.

I was thinking this effort is comparable to open source development, where the result is a collaboration between academia, industry, and freelance contributors.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://vmst.io/users/intrepidhero/statuses/116482976779138548https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://vmst.io/users/intrepidhero/statuses/116482976779138548Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:12:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:04:09 GMT]]>@intrepidhero @wanderinghermit

I think there are a lot of amateur astronomers who contribute to knowledge of the universe just by reporting what they see or record. Maybe you could check with professional astronomers and see what model they use to incorporate the data of part-timers.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://musician.social/users/Anne_Delong/statuses/116482706631236157https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://musician.social/users/Anne_Delong/statuses/116482706631236157Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:04:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:35:30 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit sure, why not, have a nice day

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Lizette603_23/statuses/116482122066148568https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Lizette603_23/statuses/116482122066148568Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:35:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:57:24 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit amateur/maven scientists ?
But this also bring a negative connotation.
What you propose is a bit similar to some practices done in astronomy.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.sciences.re/users/tiProton/statuses/116481264485064710https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://social.sciences.re/users/tiProton/statuses/116481264485064710Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:57:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:12:22 GMT]]>@doctormo

Perhaps I wasn't clear, looking for talent, not dollars. People who want to solve interesting scientific questions and who don't need a salary to do so.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116481087436964451https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116481087436964451Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:12:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:09:21 GMT]]>@Lizette603_23

Free-range?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116481075558053605https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116481075558053605Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:09:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:07:16 GMT]]>@rythur

I like it, thanks

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116481067362002427https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116481067362002427Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:07:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:12:57 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit

Scientish?

"Those who pay choose" so such a system must be designed to resist the overwhelming power of money from a single source. Diversify the income so you do not end up with a monopsony.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://floss.social/users/doctormo/statuses/116480381885823117https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://floss.social/users/doctormo/statuses/116480381885823117Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:12:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:04:42 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit

to take a lead from religion, I nominate "lay scientist" as in "one who follows the methodology best they can, considering their day-job", not an authority, but a viable teacher 😊

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.ca/users/teledyn/statuses/116480349450019467https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mstdn.ca/users/teledyn/statuses/116480349450019467Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:04:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:47:25 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit Community scientist?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/sunumbral/statuses/116480281532752710https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/sunumbral/statuses/116480281532752710Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:47:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:47:11 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit freelance? Unaffiliated? Affiliate? Independently contracted?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Lizette603_23/statuses/116480280601529361https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/Lizette603_23/statuses/116480280601529361Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:47:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:39:39 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit

Yeah I didn't think it was the greatest phrase either, but I didn't think of anything better. There is self-funded scientist, but I don't like that one

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://zeroes.ca/users/NilaJones/statuses/116480250963206010https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://zeroes.ca/users/NilaJones/statuses/116480250963206010Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:39:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:07:37 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit

"Free-Agent Scientist"

Shortened: "Free-Agents"

Idea comes mathjobs.org verbiage I've experienced.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/rythur/statuses/116480124994786988https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mastodon.social/users/rythur/statuses/116480124994786988Tue, 28 Apr 2026 03:07:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:18:22 GMT]]>@NilaJones @intrepidhero

I did not know about that, thanks for bringing it to my attention!

I like volunteer scientist better than independent scientist, but still doesn't seem to have the right flavor. Thanks for the suggestion!

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116479931373433102https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116479931373433102Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:18:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:05:37 GMT]]>@Robotistry

I solved this by getting a professor to hire me as a researcher, paying me for one hour per 2 week pay period. He gets a lot of free work, mostly software development. I get $48/month and a university affiliation and library privileges. Win-win.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116479881203277463https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116479881203277463Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:05:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:04:31 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit @intrepidhero

Volunteer scientist?

Are you familiar with the Patient Led Research Collaborative? Obviously in seismology you don't have patients😂. But their model of independent funding may be of interest

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://zeroes.ca/users/NilaJones/statuses/116479876884554585https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://zeroes.ca/users/NilaJones/statuses/116479876884554585Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:04:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:22:36 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit I retired due to disability this year and am attempting to follow this model. I have university researchers to collaborate with.

The key (for me, at least, working on the theoretical side of robotics) is establishing an official (if unpaid) affiliation with a university, so as to have library privileges. I'm still working out whether I'm going to be able to afford conference fees and APCs and am still at the "can you email me a copy of this paper?" stage of library access.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://fediscience.org/ap/users/116273813905610513/statuses/116479712035860647https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://fediscience.org/ap/users/116273813905610513/statuses/116479712035860647Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:22:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:04:22 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit the deep pockets of a retired oil exec or Monsanto exec, self-funding some “independent” research?

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/CheapPontoon/statuses/116479168524781383https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://beige.party/users/CheapPontoon/statuses/116479168524781383Mon, 27 Apr 2026 23:04:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:42:28 GMT]]>@wanderinghermit I've usually heard the terms "citizen scientists" or "amateur scientists". Possible bias: some research of mine got a mention in Discover Magazine in an article years ago. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-amateur-scientists-who-might-cure-cancerfrom-their-basements-16499

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://avgeek.social/users/ikluft/statuses/116479082426134043https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://avgeek.social/users/ikluft/statuses/116479082426134043Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:42:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:25:19 GMT]]>@intrepidhero

I like "citizen scientist" but that term is already in use with different connotations.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116479014937503309https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116479014937503309Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:25:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. on Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:23:27 GMT]]>@CheapPontoon

I think the point is independent as in self-funding.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116479007612224233https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://mindly.social/users/wanderinghermit/statuses/116479007612224233Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:23:27 GMT