def scientist(keyword, to_reverse=False):
    global writing

    for index, word in enumerate(writing):
        if sorted([word, keyword])[0] == keyword:
            if to_reverse:
                writing[index] = word[::2][::-1]
            else:
                writing[index] = word[::2]
        else:
            if to_reverse:
                writing[index] = word[::3][::-1]
            else:
                writing[index] = word[::3]