re: WC 100K Post Challenge - You Ready?!
Of course we need them. I don't understand why somebody wants to become one. Payment is not that great, at least in Switzerland, you have to work shifts, you have a lot of pressure, too many patients, too little time, the next law suit is only a small mistake away, and then you still have to tell families that their beloved died.
It does take a certain type of person. The whole suing culture is another one of those problems but it's shows the issues within the field. Limiting doctor numbers in colleges/universities and making it an 'elite' subject is the issue.
As for some of the reasons you mentioned about becoming one, I can think of many more! I never wanted to become a doctor but there are many that do good work and would like to support them more. Then there are those who deserve our condemnation, Dr. Oz comes to mind.
It pays very little, it's an unsafe position, you only get contracts for a short period of time and a career is limited to a very lucky and talented few. Yeah, I agree, that's the reason I don't want to stay in science ;-)
What I meant, there are people who feel science encroaches on their 'god' and that they play 'god', especially biologists (you evil people you), as they find out more and more about the world. It wasn't to do with pay or anything like that. More of a social issue and mindset within society.
Science, to me, should have loads of money coming into it but unfortunately with our silly ideas of capitalism it remains an area that receives limited funds but has high expectations from populace.