The Love Hypothesis

by Ali Hazelwood

Frankly, Olive was a bit on the fence about this whole grad school thing.

Immediatrly yes

Every time she aired out her doubts to friends and acquaintances, they all automatically offered the same trite, meaningless encouragements. You’ll be fine. You can do it. I believe in you. This guy was surely going to do the same.

her overall experience in STEM academia had been punctuated by self-doubt, anxiety, and a sense of inferiority.

‘Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man.’ ” “More than that, if possible.

“That’s the thing with science. We’re drilled to believe that false positives are bad, but false negatives are just as terrifying.” She swallowed. “Not being able to see something, even if it’s in front of your eyes. Purposefully making yourself blind, just because you’re afraid of seeing too much.”