What do you think it takes to be a great scientist?

[thegreenyogi]

[HawkPerception]

I think I would have if I had better discipline and focus. There are a lot of things I'm curious about and research to a basic understanding.

Like I could tell you the amino acids in whey protein and all their functions and what the best ratio is for intake. Or how much protein you need per day and what caloric intake you need to lose or gain weight.

I can tell share a lot of natural remedies like: raw garlic is extremely healthy for you because of a compound called aliicin. Or pineapple is more effective than cough syrup because of something called bromelain. Or that green tea (especially matcha) has 2 compounds (EGCG and l-theanine) which are beneficial for different reasons and require different temperature of steeping to absorb them (if you want calming effects, then steep the matcha at a lower temperature and if you want metabolism and neuroprotection, then steep it a higher temperature).

There are so many things I've looked into because I'm curious about them and I think that curiosity is definitely needed to be a scientist.

[HawkPerception]

I read this incorrectly for some reason. I read "Do you think you have what it takes to be a great scientist?"

What the actual hell was I on? 😑

[OneViewpoint]

• Curiosity.
• Innocence.
• Naivete'.
• High IQ.
• An open mind.
• Math literacy.
• Introspective thought.
• A love of pouring through a boatload of data.
• The ability to do design of experiments (DOE).
• A lack of caring about current beliefs and historically accepted "facts".

[Chazmatazz269]

A scientific mind is open and curious, but critical and discerning.
For the record, anyone can be a scientist. However, due to charlatans of the past and our capitalistic hierarchy-driven society, we tend to only think of doctors as scientists, and we expect them to have a specialty associated with the extensive education and training required to earn their doctorate degree.
In which case, commitment, discipline and the ability to follow instructions and complete tasks with gradually decreasing oversight are all necessary beyond that open, curious and critical mind. Finally, decisiveness is necessary. One requirement for graduation is a thesis submitted for scrutiny, and i think publication but i could be wrong about that. My understanding is that it has to be unique in its examination of a known subject and compelling enough to warrant more experienced scholars testing proposed theories, methods and claimed results of the research.
It’s not difficult at all to be a scientist. Most people come by the fundamentals quite naturally. There is a great deal of work involved in becoming recognized as a scientist because it typically demands a doctorate and some recognition in a given field.

[sage2021]

I used to work with scientists for 7 years in a biotechnology laboratory.

They have a complete different mindset from people such as myself.

They are definitely left frontal cortex brain people. Very analytical, super good with math, not so good with people that much. They aren't people people.

They are very detailed oriented and extremely patient with experiments and such. Perfectionists.

I think they prefer to work alone. No distractions I guess.

Highly book smart but not street smart. 🤓
Not emotional. Not patient with people below them because they think that everyone should know that they know and get frustrated when you aren't interested in doing scientific stuff. Thick headed!!

They will help those in need and take care of people who mean something to them because they care about them.

You gotta be needy!! 🤓

[jshm2]

A big financial backer.

To be honest science can only move forward with a big financial backer. If you have no financial backing you will either be bought over, sidelined, or killed.

A quick tip for you is that a lot of these "great scientists" were not so great in their time. It' only when financial gains could be made from their work, that they became "great".

Isac Newton, for example was a better alchemist and astrologist than he was a scientist. But if his book sales had not erupted when they did, we would likely never have heard of him.

[abc3643]

I will answer this question in much more detail after I understand why are you asking this question.

So, please explain why you are asking it? What are your motivations?

[thegreenyogi]

Genuine curiosity.

[AviatorTom]

Luck. Most major discoveries in science just happen.

Sure, the scientist was doing things, but their major contribution was recognizing what they had found.

[Zack-Bann]

Endless curiosity and a vivid imagination


Also a drive and self pleasure that comes from solving problems

[RandomGirl42]

I think it takes funny hair and glasses. All the great ones seem to have that in common.

[Nikki1989]

They don't just accept that a phenomenon happens; they are driven to understand the underlying mechanism. The average person doesn't care enough to try to understand anything.

[Still-alive]

Step 1, know science. i know hot take there huh?

[WhitneySnow]

An inquiring mind and a lot of left brain analytical intelligence. And some right brain creative intelligence as well.

[Cute_User513]

I agree!!!

[WhitneySnow]

@Cute_User513 thanks! You need both halves of your brain to be truly great.

[Cute_User513]

Definitely!

[Xawyx-2]

Obviously - intelligence, good memory, and open mind.

[Friendlybro79]

You have to be smart to grasp the concepts of the science we already know but to be great you have to be able to see things that are not yet discovered or connected.

[msc545]

A good education, curiosity and objectivity and decent funding

[jahaims]

Objectivity and a unique brain, usually neurodivergent like Einstein, Elon musk, Tesla, da Vinci etc.

[YourExLover69]

Passion, knowledge, practical experiments etc.

[fish5505_87]

Perseverance, and to be able to accept failure.

[Nicole12t]

The ability to admit your wrong, and that some things still have no logical explanation!

[CuriousMufuxka]

Passion. While I do not have a degree, I've conducted many experiments.

[Bloodparadise]

Passion and really intense thirst for knowing

[FreyaRed]

Being evil and ruthless.

[slatyb]

Curiousity and persistence.

[Shiprex]

Dedication and curiosity

[Bowserforever]

A lot of time and effort

[AgentG111]

I can tell you who aren't. LoL.

[Cidknee]

Stubbornness