Most lab scientists know that we can be divided into two groups, shown in this meme:
Now, normally, I’m the person on the right. I tried to take my own images of the above, and it was actively difficult to use the tips randomly instead of in straight rows.
But then there are the days when I’m running two large rounds of PCR or something, which involves so much pipetting my shoulder starts to hurt and I go through several boxes of tips. Doing nothing but pipetting for hours will slowly drive you insane, so I have to do something to keep myself entertained.
I start making designs with the pipette tips.
Sometimes they’re basic, like diagonal lines. As I keep using tips, the patterns change. Wide diagonals get thinner.
The designs get more intricate.
And sometimes I just make pretty pictures.
I’ve tried doing words occasionally, but they never turn out right. I’ll stick with geometric patterns instead of leaving messages for my coworkers.
Some of my coworkers actively do the same, or try to keep my patterns going if they borrow tips. I think the rest of them either don’t notice, or think I’m crazy. Considering they already put up with my K-pop music in the lab, I think we can safely say it’s the latter.
Jedi by Knight 
I’ve always suspected that 99% of scientists are crazy (speaking as one myself XD). Each field just seems to have its own unique variety of crazy! I love your pipett tip art, and would definitely be one of those who tried to maintain the pattern. ^_^
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Unique variety of crazy,” I like it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have never considered pulling the pipettes out to make a pattern. Very interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never underestimate the creativity that can be gleaned from boredom 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice! A robot would never think to do that…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope, not unless a programmer told it to…and I think the programmer would be more concerned about efficiency than aesthetics. Now I’m picturing my husband the programmer trying to analyze the best order to remove tips from the box…
LikeLiked by 1 person
*giggle* Also, I especially approve of kpop in the lab!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our grad student once had “Mr. Taxi” stuck in his head for about 24 hours straight. I felt a little bad. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahaha, perfect! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Patterns are cool. If I worked with these objects I’d be addicted to making patterns with them. Yours are great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha thanks 🙂
LikeLike
Nice designs! I’m definitely the person on the right, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if the people on the left only do it to drive the rest of us crazy ~_^
LikeLiked by 1 person
This just made my day :). Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know I’m not just entertaining myself 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person