The Scientists

Edward O. Wilson, on control as one of a scientist's core motivations:

Reading is to discovery what a spark is to a fire.

“Ingenuity without wisdom is dangerous.”
- Walter Isaacson, The Code Breaker

“Live in the serene peace of laboratories and libraries.”

- Louis Pasteur

These insights were prepared from my notes on great scientists.

I'm compiling notes on their life and work as a resource you can use to learn their lessons.

To support this project, follow the link below:
Becoming Great Scientists
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3. Love the process:

2. Expect failure (and prepare for it):

1. Maintain flexibility:

If persistence is prerequisite for success, then how can a scientist avoid becoming demoralized?Charles Darwin, Peter Medawar, and Pierre Curie offer the following advice:
1. Maintain flexibility
2. Expect failure
3. Love the scientific process

"I advise you to look for a chance to break away, to find a subject you can make your own.
...
Therein you have the best chance to become a leader and, as time passes, to gain growing freedom to set your own course."

- Edward O. Wilson, "Letter to a Young Scientist"

Four things you can do to increase your chance of scientific discovery:

1. Gather all the facts in a field.

2. Describe them and their relationships in simple language.

3. Make quantitative what was previously qualitative.

4. Pay attention to contrary evidence.

#science

To learn how great scientists like Einstein, Curie, Faraday, Maxwell, Crick, etc. made their discoveries, follow the link below:

Becoming Great Scientists
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Albert Einstein, on Marie Curie's relentless determination:

"Once she had recognized a certain way as the right one, she pursued it without compromise and with extreme tenacity."

#science #alberteinstein #mariecurie

I'm compiling sources on the life and work of great scientists and innovators.

The goal is to make this a singular resource for learning to become a great scientist.

For more highlights, or to support this project:

Becoming Great Scientists
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Harvard biologist, E. O. Wilson, on commitment as prerequisite to scientific discovery:

“... there can be little doubt that the most significant event of the 19th century will be judged as Maxwell’s discovery of the laws of electrodynamics.” - Richard Feynman

Here are my top highlights on James Clerk Maxwell from "The Man Who Changed Everything" by Basil Mahon.

#science #physics

#science #advice #maxwell

There is much to be gained and little to lose by testing your ideas.

James Clerk Maxwell’s rule:

For more insights and lessons from Marie Curie's life and work, follow the link in bio or here:
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#science #advice #mariecurie

Nurture your curiosity. Great scientific work is impossible without it.

For more tips for pursuing a career in science, follow the link in bio or below on Fred Sanger's path from student to double Nobel laureate:
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#science #advice #biochemistry

In choosing what to work on, avoid areas where you're at a disadvantage.

Instead, look for work that feels easy for you but hard for others.

Double Nobel winner Fred Sanger avoided physics, which led him to biochemistry--where he excelled.

Top Highlights from “Francis Crick” by Matt Ridley The book: “Francis Crick: Discoverer of the Genetic Code” by Matt Ridley.

For more insights on Francis Crick and his research style, follow the link in bio or below:
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Aim high. Go for great.

It doesn't guarantee you'll get there, but without it you certainly won't.

“It’s true that by blundering about we stumbled on gold, but the fact remains that we were looking for gold.”
- Francis Crick

#science #advice

Focus, Simplify, and Persist: Top Highlights from “True Genius: The Life and Science of John… The book: “True Genius: The Life and Science of John Bardeen: The Only Winner of Two Nobel Prizes in Physics” by Vicki Daitch and Lillian…

For more insights from double Nobel winner and inventor of the transistor, John Bardeen, follow the link in bio or here:
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#science #advice

How do the best scientists solve difficult problems?

By solving the simplest version of the problem that you can understand first.

Reduce it to its essence. Solve that. Then layer in complexity, and work your way back.

John Bardeen, on problem solving:

Top Highlights from “The Electric Life of Michael Faraday” The book: “The Electric Life of Michael Faraday” by Alan Hirshfeld.

For more advice from Michael Faraday, follow the link in bio or here for top highlights from "The Electric Life of Michael Faraday":
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#science #advice #faraday

Take action. Get results. And follow up.

Step by step, you improve your thinking--you get to the right answer.

Michael Faraday, on experimentation as a tool to for fixing bad ideas:

Top Highlights from “Advice to a Young Scientist” The book: “Advice to a Young Scientist” by P. B. Medawar.

For more advice from P. B. Medawar, follow the link in bio or here for my top highlights from "Advice to a Young Scientist":
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#science #advice

To get started, copy.

If you're not sure where to start, feeling stuck, or discouraged, then try copying work you admire.

Successes and results encourage you--both emotionally and intellectually.

Advice from Nobel winner P. B. Medawar, on results as a source of self-confidence:

Top highlights from “Letters to a Young Scientist” The book: “Letters to a Young Scientist” by Edward O. Wilson.

For more advice from E.O. Wilson's lifetime in science, follow the link in bio or here for highlights from "Letter to a Young Scientist":
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