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I am a huge fan of extroverted scientists such as Galileo and Feynman. But assuming all great thinkers are extroverted is doing scientific progress a disservice
by FD3SA 13y ago
I am a huge fan of extroverted scientists such as Galileo and Feynman. But assuming all great thinkers are extroverted is doing scientific progress a disservice [1][2]. YC bases its model on picking winners who are excellent self-promoters. I believe there should be another way to support research for those who are not extroverted, but are extremely talented such as Perelman or Henry Cavendish.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Perelman http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Perelman
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cavendish http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cavendish
- comatose_kid 13y agoWozniak's genius might never have been exposed to the broader world had he not paired with a Steve Jobs.
- FD3SA 13y agoPrecisely. It seems to me insane that there are Wozniaks out there who are undiscovered. We shouldn't need to depend on a Jobs to find an introverted genius. Woz could have done wonders at a Bell Labs or equivalent. He was successful regardless due to his interests being aligned with the growing microcomputer industry at the time, but he would not have been as lucky had he been born in another era. My point is that we need research institutions with stable funding over long periods for talented people to push the boundaries of science, without relying on the circuses of VCs and Wall St.
- comatose_kid 13y agoOkay, thanks for the clarification. Definitely agree that research institutions have an important role (alongside VCs) in fostering innovation.