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Another good time to remind everyone that the inventor of the maser (which led to the laser), Charles Townes, was discouraged by his department chair (allegedly
by gfodor 4y ago
Another good time to remind everyone that the inventor of the maser (which led to the laser), Charles Townes, was discouraged by his department chair (allegedly): "Look, you should stop the work you are doing. It isn't going to work. You know it's not going to work, we know it's not going to work. You're wasting money, Just stop!" A few months later, it worked. [1]
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2015/01/29/charles_townes_nobel_prizewinning_inventor_of_the_laser_dies_at_99/ https://www.theregister.com/2015/01/29/charles_townes_nobel_...
- nielsbot 4y ago"If we'd known it was impossible, we never would have succeeded!"
- quickthrower2 4y ago> He later explained that he was able to refuse to stop his research because he had tenure, so there was nothing they could really do to stop him. Not having to chase your next meal can make a big difference
- doikor 4y agoThis is why tenure for fundamental research is very important. You have to be free to fail without consequences or you won't be able to take the risks to figure this stuff out.
- chaosbolt 4y agoExactly, this is the biggest problem with modern universities. I wish billionaires would fund things like this directly as in no patent no nothing, just from the goodness of their hearts, which they claim is there seeing how much they all pledge to charities... But the reality is different, Oxford pledged to donate the rights to their covid vaccine for free then was urged by the bill & melinda "foundation" to reverse course and sold it to pharma companies.