[RWebb]

Ok, my big game (UO stomped a HS team) is over, so I also have an "advancement" story:

you start out using binoculars, a datalogger, and writing your own programs - life is good
next, you use spreadsheets
then statistical packages (some of which can or have to be programmed)
then, a word processor - life starts to go downhill a little bit, but you are still writing up your own research on the word processor (still a grad. student)
then, it's mostly just using a word processor, and you start having to write grant applications, lectures, and your own research
then, lectures, grant applications and reports
then editing lectures, grant applications and reports - mostly not even for you, just to support your grad. students - life has gone downhill
finally, you aren't doing any research anymore, just "directing" others - life is downhill