Quote:
Originally Posted by tdvance
Well, does Physics and Bongo Drums count?
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Sorry for leaving everyone in a lurch...today...
What I have seemingly noticed during my brief lifetime is that those who become so-called "polymaths" --- have always possessed innate (or have been nurtured to express) their ingenuity.
I have personally attended small lectures by Professor Emilio Segre and Professor Douglas Osheroff.
Professor Segre's lecture was to promote his book:
Form X-Rays to Quarks. He definitely struck me as an individual who (1) knew physics and lived it (2)...He also was extremely personable and professional--basically a person who you would like to have as a dissertation mentor
Professor Osheroff's lecture came on the heels of his Nobel prize-- and he told us why he wanted to pursue science --about how (he originally intended to be -- I presume -- a pre-med) and much to his chagrin did not like the sight of blood. He seemed extremely professional and approachable. He spoke of how he came across his "aha" moment of *discovery*. And, again he struck me as a person who a lot students would like as a dissertation mentor.
Another individual whose lecture I was privileged to attend was: Dr. Linus Pauling at the Hitchcock Memorial Lectures at U. C. Berkeley...that lecture was extremely informative...but harder to comprehend because of the size and type of audience he lectured to.
I also knew of a colleague (who goes unmentioned)-- who gave me (I believe?) a very good description of what some characteristics of some of these people possess: an
idiosyncratic way of approaching, solving and knowing when to abandon a problem.
As far as I am concerned...every person mentioned in this series of posts deserves credit for their major contributions and (definitely) because they have had successes in influencing others to pursue a life in astronomy/physics/technology/etc...
I am sure there will be those who will disagree with me...
Clear skies to all...