People often ask me why I persisted in doing research on a subject that was so controversial. I frequently respond by telling them that only a few scientists are granted the great fortune to pursue topics that are so new and different that only a small number of people can grasp the meaning of such discoveries initially.
Interpretation
Persistence in controversial research can lead to groundbreaking discoveries despite initial skepticism.
In this quote, Stanley B. Prusiner reflects on the value of perseverance in scientific research, especially when the subjects tackled are controversial or difficult for others to understand. He highlights the privilege that comes with working on novel topics, emphasizing that while the journey may be met with doubt, the potential for significant contributions to knowledge makes it worthwhile.
In practice
In a speech about career choices at a science fair, to inspire students to pursue challenging topics.
While it is quite reasonable for scientists to be skeptical of new ideas that do not fit within the accepted realm of scientific knowledge, the best science often emerges from situations where results carefully obtained do not fit within the accepted paradigms.
The Big Bang banged, and for some reason we’re here. And that’s astonishing. And that we can understand that, that’s the most astonishing.
I'm aware there are certain products that are being advertised - food products - with 'no chemicals whatsoever.' Well, that would be pretty hard to arrange, since everything around us is made up of atoms and molecules - chemicals - including ourselves.
There's a misconception that survival of the fittest means survival of the most aggressive. The adjective 'Darwinian' used to refer to ruthless competition; you used to read that in business journals. But that's not what Darwinian means to a biologist; it's whatever leads to reproductive success.
It is hardly possible to maintain seriously that the evil done by science is not altogether outweighed by the good. For example, if ten million lives were lost in every war, the net effect of science would still have been to increase the average length of life.
Clouds are not spheres, mountains are not cones, coastlines are not circles, and bark is not smooth, nor does lightning travel in a straight line.
Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character.
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