I'm a scientist, not a super hero!

I said I wanted to be a chemist, not a super-human freak of nature. I'm a supporter of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Who decided that scientists are above the rest of society and don't need that category of the pyramid entitled "BASIC NEEDS"? There is a reason why those basic needs (water, food, sleep, breathing, homeostasis, excretion) are at the FOUNDATION of the pyramid. They aren't supposed to be optional. I would like to point out that eating and sleeping are placed in the same category as breathing and excretion. So, if you (whoever you are) think that I should deny myself food and sleep for the sake of my success then that is as ludricous as saying I should hold my breath and never go to the bathroom. If dedication is about ignoring basic human needs then I guess I better have a catheter strapped to my leg because we all know bathroom breaks are a huge waste of time.

I'm smart. I work hard. I have what it takes. What I don't have is the ability to sacrifice my basic human needs in order to rise to the echelons of the scientific community. I surrender. You win. You're better than me because you don't have to eat or sleep or piss or breathe. Yay for you. I'm out to find the balance between science and a sound mind. I think it is absolutely ridiculous that I should even have to think about sacrificing so much of life in order to be successful and I refuse to play that game. Maybe I won't graduate with honors, maybe I won't have pages upon pages listing my publications, maybe few people will know who I am and what I do, maybe I'll never win an award during my career. BUT, I don't care. I won't feel like I'm less successful. I'm out to find the career that lets me love science but also lets me eat, sleep, socialize, and be human. I want all the levels of the pyramid, including the foundation.