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Scientific Prizes - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences

Scientific Prizes - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences The commentary by Robert L. Brent in the Feb. 3, 1992, issue of The Scientist [page 12] makes some legitimate points. Nevertheless, I am afraid that its principal effect will be to discourage young scientists. I cannot agree with the implications of Brent's remarks that individuals don't count and that awards are meaningless or, worse, the symptom of a corrupt, politicized scientific system. After more than 40 years of scientific research I still believe that recognition does come rather automatically and is based primarily on the quality of the scientific work, not on political maneuvering. I have been lucky enough to receive several awards. They don't include a Nobel Prize, but I worked side by side with someone who did win one. In his case, as in mine, the awards were not sought--each was a genuine surprise. In fact, I often remark to my students that science is one of the most equitable of all human activities, comparable perhaps to athletics--it's your performance that counts, not whom you know. It does a terrible disservice to young researchers to tell them that individual effort is meaningless and that there are no heroes or heroines. Tell young people, as do http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The Scientist The Scientist

Scientific Prizes - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences

The Scientist , Volume 6 (10): 12 – May 11, 1992

Scientific Prizes - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences

The Scientist , Volume 6 (10): 12 – May 11, 1992

Abstract

The commentary by Robert L. Brent in the Feb. 3, 1992, issue of The Scientist [page 12] makes some legitimate points. Nevertheless, I am afraid that its principal effect will be to discourage young scientists. I cannot agree with the implications of Brent's remarks that individuals don't count and that awards are meaningless or, worse, the symptom of a corrupt, politicized scientific system. After more than 40 years of scientific research I still believe that recognition does come rather automatically and is based primarily on the quality of the scientific work, not on political maneuvering. I have been lucky enough to receive several awards. They don't include a Nobel Prize, but I worked side by side with someone who did win one. In his case, as in mine, the awards were not sought--each was a genuine surprise. In fact, I often remark to my students that science is one of the most equitable of all human activities, comparable perhaps to athletics--it's your performance that counts, not whom you know. It does a terrible disservice to young researchers to tell them that individual effort is meaningless and that there are no heroes or heroines. Tell young people, as do

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Publisher
The Scientist
Copyright
© 1986-2010 The Scientist
ISSN
1759-796X
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The commentary by Robert L. Brent in the Feb. 3, 1992, issue of The Scientist [page 12] makes some legitimate points. Nevertheless, I am afraid that its principal effect will be to discourage young scientists. I cannot agree with the implications of Brent's remarks that individuals don't count and that awards are meaningless or, worse, the symptom of a corrupt, politicized scientific system. After more than 40 years of scientific research I still believe that recognition does come rather automatically and is based primarily on the quality of the scientific work, not on political maneuvering. I have been lucky enough to receive several awards. They don't include a Nobel Prize, but I worked side by side with someone who did win one. In his case, as in mine, the awards were not sought--each was a genuine surprise. In fact, I often remark to my students that science is one of the most equitable of all human activities, comparable perhaps to athletics--it's your performance that counts, not whom you know. It does a terrible disservice to young researchers to tell them that individual effort is meaningless and that there are no heroes or heroines. Tell young people, as do

Journal

The ScientistThe Scientist

Published: May 11, 1992

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