Why *physics*?? Why not economics?!

To steer the conversation totally away from Mr. Vox, let me ask this:

Why do people pick 'physics' as the epitome of hard science when they make statements like this?

So-and-so 'can't hack the physics'-- why physics? Why not chemistry? Molecular biology? Biochemistry? Why not math by itself?

What makes physics so special?

FWIW, I hold two bachelor's level degrees in hard science, but it was the applied science (statistics, economics) that truly and well kicked my ass.

ETA...

I'm reading the thread on Mr. Vox again this morning as I write my AM progress notes.

Bad idea: the two-letter acronym BS showed up in the middle of my note, accidentally.

Eh-heh-heh-heh.

Fortunately, BS can be used for multiple observations in multiple organ systems. Or parts of life!

Dirty Little Spectra.

My sister Kim is sitting here at the table, reading spectra (NMR 2D, 3D and MS and IR) and singing to them.

"Do deee dum.  Doo deeee dum.  You suuuu-uuuuck, dirty little spectra."

Given that she's watching the way the spin states shifted within the molecules she made,  with an eye to identifying compounds, so that she can submit yet ANOTHER paper to JOC (Journal of Organic Chemistry)?

I find reading Mr. Vox's thread to be even more surreal.

Glad to see I"m not the only one who found it late.

Discussion.

Two questions for open discussion. One semi-heavy, one light.

1.  Why is it that short story writers are not considered to be 'real writers' by the public at large?

(Yes, I *am* getting tired of having people who find out I write say, "Oh, you must be working on a novel."  Or worse, "You must have a book out, then.  Right?")

2.  Regarding writing a story longhand with fountain pen.  What are the advantages, o ye who are fountain pen mavens?  What are the disadvantages?