Real-life 'Doogie Howser'

[zsdersw]

http://www.advocate.com/youth/2013/08/04/watch-meet-gay-teen-whose-discoveries-will-change-world

Jack Andraka is 16 years old. He's an award-winning scientist, an advocate for open source information, and at 14 years old, he developed a revolutionary way to test for pancreatic and ovarian cancer that is faster, cheaper, and more accurate than the current medical standards. That discovery led him to a series of highly acclaimed TED Talks, and a sit-down with President Obama. Andraka also happens to be openly gay.

Media startup Vocativ sat down with the teenage prodigy to talk about life as an openly gay teenage scientist, how American science education is destroying the next generation's curiosity, and why his generation will be the ones to change the world and finally do away with discrimination.

Watch the video below, and feel comforted that with kids like Andraka around, the future is in good hands.

So much for gay people never contributing anything to benefit society. (a stupid claim by some, to be sure, and this is just another example of how stupid that claim is)

If this kid wasn't accepted as gay and was, instead, harassed, bullied, or abused... would he have persevered and had the mental stability to be an accomplished scientist? I doubt it.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

What does him being gay have to do with anything?

 

[zsdersw]

What does him being gay have to do with anything?

To most people, nothing... because they don't think gay people are somehow inferior.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Exactly who is making this claim that gay people never contribute anything to benefit society?

 

[zsdersw]

Exactly who is making this claim that gay people never contribute anything to benefit society?

If you read any of the more recent gay/SSM threads on here there were a few forum members who expressed that view.

 

[nehalem256]

If you read any of the more recent gay/SSM threads on here there were a few forum members who expressed that view.

I believe that the claim was that gay RELATIONSHIPS are inferior. Not gay people themselves.

 

[zsdersw]

I believe that the claim was that gay RELATIONSHIPS are inferior. Not gay people themselves.

No, I remember reading something from one of the dimmest bulbs in our P&N marquee... I believe his name was futurefields... something about how he just doesn't think that gay people contribute anything to society.

 

[Smoblikat]

What does him being gay have to do with anything?

If youre rational, it means nothing. If youre a liberal it is somehow a slap in the face for everyone else.

 

[OutHouse]

well it was an interesting story until OP started ranting about the gay thing.

 

[zsdersw]

well it was an interesting story until OP started ranting about the gay thing.

That's ok, I'm under no obligation to make things interesting for you.

 

[SaurusX]

You're kind of becoming a one-trick pony aren't you?

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

You're kind of becoming a one-trick pony aren't you?

I see that you haven't been here very long. Welcome to ATPN!

 

[zsdersw]

You're kind of becoming a one-trick pony aren't you?

If by that you mean I mostly post stories concerning GLBT people/issues, well, that's just what I care to do.

Your "one-trick pony" apparently is posting irrelevancies about how you're not interested in or unhappy with the thread... as if you were somehow required to read or post in it.

 

[zsdersw]

I see that you haven't been here very long. Welcome to ATPN!

I continue to wonder why you don't care about this incident yet you're continuing to participate in the thread. Don't be so stupid.

 

[Vaux]

Dumb. Like what this kid does in his bedroom has any bearing at all on pancreatic research.

He probably drinks Coke too. I am sure that Coke will have an article soon about how a coke drinking scientist changes medical standards.

 

[Sinsear]

/yawn

 

[Exterous]

I see that you haven't been here very long. Welcome to ATPN!

Eh - I fell for it. I usually avoid his threads because they all turn into stupid pissing matches where both sides act like assholes but I thought this time would be different. Nope.

 

[Brigandier]

Fun fact, silver screen Doogie Howser is also gay.

The more you know.

 

[zsdersw]

Dumb. Like what this kid does in his bedroom has any bearing at all on pancreatic research.

If this kid was bullied/harassed for being gay instead of being supported as he apparently has been he very easily could've become the next gay/lesbian teen suicide statistic.

 

[woolfe9998]

Gay or straight, I'm amazed at people who can accomplish things like this at such a young age. I've always thought of myself as "smart." Then I look at people like this and I'm reminded that there are people to whom I'm quite dumb by comparison. Kudos to him for having the ability and desire to invent things which are beneficial to humanity at such a ripe young age. :thumbsup:

 

[nehalem256]

If this kid was bullied/harassed for being gay instead of being supported as he apparently has been he very easily could've become the next gay/lesbian teen suicide statistic.

Or maybe being bullied caused him to stick it to his bullies by being awesome?

 

[AustinInDallas]

OH I GET IT! hes like doogie houser because hes gay!

Long Live NPH!

 

[zsdersw]

Or maybe being bullied caused him to stick it to his bullies by being awesome?

That's not how it usually goes.

 

[Vaux]

If this kid was bullied/harassed for being gay instead of being supported as he apparently has been he very easily could've become the next gay/lesbian teen suicide statistic.

If anyone is bullied or harassed they can become a suicide statistic. Being gay has nothing to do with it. Stop trying so hard.

 

[nehalem256]

If anyone is bullied or harassed they can become a suicide statistic. Being gay has nothing to do with it. Stop trying so hard.

For some reason we are suppose to care more if a gay kid commits suicide.