The Society of the Ferris Wheel is an hallowed organization that
recognizes excellence in the pursuit of knowledge regarding the history
of microbial pathogenesis research. Membership is gained by
independent confirmation of the identities of ten famous scientists who
have made landmark contributions in the field. Anonymous
photographs of the scientists are displayed in a ferris wheel situated
in the office of the Society's Founding Officer, Victor Nizet,
M.D. Only on visits to discuss scientific matters, those
supplicants who aspire to Society membership can study the individual
photographs without taking notes. In private, and without
communication to others, the supplicant can use all educational
resources at their disposal to compile an official entry ballot for
membership. This entry ballot consists of the names of each of
the ten individuals, a description of their photo, and a brief synopsis
of their principal contribution to microbiology research. Upon
submission, the entry ballot is reviewed for accuracy, and the only
feedback provided is the total number of correct guesses (e.g. "seven
out of ten"). The individual supplicant is then prohibited for 14
days from resubmitting another entry ballot. An entry ballot with
all ten famous scientists correctly identified gains membership to the
Society, and the new Inductee is taught the secret handshake and secret
motto of the Society of the Ferris Wheel. Initiations are
celebrated with a wine and cheese ceremony during which the new
Inductee is asked to deliver a short speech what this important
accomplishment means to his/her life.
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