Points Which Turned Pointless

Let me recall a seemingly small but funny incident that took place many years back while I was working or rather discharging my duties and modest capabilities as a young scientist at a premier and prestigious R and D Institute of importance. I was working on a project related to Polymers and Membranes.

One fine day we had a surprise visit of experts from a peer review committee who wanted to review the progress made by us (scientists) in selective R and D projects of importance. Accordingly a group review meeting of young scientists with expert committee members was arranged by our institute Director the next day morning.

At the meeting which took place in the huge and majestic conference room, we were all formally introduced to the committee members and asked in random to identify/introduce the project and explain the status and progress of work in as much as two minutes only!

I do not understand the " 2-minute " concept which is really absurd and has become fashionable in terms of smart usage or trendy expression to indicate the importance of time. Let me assure you that you cannot achieve anything tangible or worthwhile in 2 minutes and extending further no person is 2-minute worthy or capable by any standard. For your information, it takes 15 minutes to prepare or cook the so-called popular 2-minute noodles!

Coming back to the important review meeting, after everyone had their say in 2 minutes (they only mumbled), it was my turn to speak. Fortunately or unfortunately I was the last speaker and considering the importance and sensitivity of my project which was in the field stage, I requested for more time to highlight the progress of work but my request was turned down and I was rudely reminded to stick to the time schedule of 2 minutes.

Feeling dejected and confused and not knowing how to do full justice to my scientific project which was almost in the "take off" stage, this is what I blurted out to the impatient and restless expert committee members (words flew out like missiles from my mouth) :

"Respected members, let me point out to you some of the points that have not been pointed out to the point as the atmosphere is really chill in this room because of the air-conditioner which is functioning at the extreme point. Well ofcourse you can see the valid point there. Now coming to the point, the point is that, while pointing your pointed finger at each one of us and instructing us to explain our points in just two minutes, you really overlooked one important point that ..... " 

At this point, the expert committee members who couldn't now digest any points from me, having reached almost to a point of utter disgust, got up from their uncomfortable chairs and made their way to the exit but not before pointing their accusing fingers at me!

Scientists do have a sense of humor, so what if they keep triggering verbal missiles instead of real missiles!!