Eternal Temptations

Celebrations and laughs

Turned 70 bylines old in the industry today. So, thought what would make a better post than the article itself. The write-up might not interest all, but it certainly marks my turning into a septuagenarian.

Nobility comes knocking

A Nobel Laureate in Physics, Georg Bednorz spoke to GARIMA SHARMA about the power of dreaming

We all live in an era, where time is the new cash. Wasting it on dreaming may well be considered a sin. But when someone with a Nobel Prize tucked under his belt advices you to dream as the ultimate way to success, it sure deserves consideration.

George Bednorz is a man with a purpose. He carries a twinkle in his eyes, a smile on his face and an attitude in his gait. He was recently in town through an initiative by IBM, to felicitate the winners of the ACM-ICPC contest. At the event, Bednorz held forth on some succinct and assured tips for success to the country’s technical reservoir. Bednorz aggressively advocated dreaming, quoting examples from history where scientists dreamed and achieved. He explained, “People constantly look for inspiration everywhere, but, you need inspiration only when you see a barrier. If you start dreaming, you prepare your mind to make an accident and then a discovery.”

Besides dreaming, Bednorz also has theories of equal simplicity worked out for deeper issues. We questioned him on the frustration of bound research and pat came the reply, “It is about getting inspired by the limits of technology and then one can find things relevant for tomorrow. This is the philosophy that leads to path breaking research.”

In 1987, Bednorz along with K. Alex Müller received the Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of high-Tc superconductivity in a new class of compounds. Post that, he accepts that his belief in dedication has increased manifold. He asserts that it is dedication that distinguishes the Indian youth and it is the responsibility of scientists like him to inspire them. For these youngsters refuse to accept pre-established norms. They go out and question the impossible- the ultimate attitude for conquering success.

Nobel thoughts, by a Nobel Laureate. It was time to sum up our petite rendezvous. And we did so by remembering George Bernard Shaw. He said, “People see things and ask why. I see things that are not and ask why not.”

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On this happy note, I thought I will close. But, there is something that I cannot resist sharing. I got a mail today, that talked about ways in which kids innovatively handled math problems. Forwarded with the mail was a message: Seems like this is how you too would respond.

Sharing weaknesses, especially mathematical, with your friends is the stupidest mistake to commit. I told a friend about the mail. He asked me to add 23 to 49. I fell silent. He laughed. I laughed. I know its 72.

However, on a cheery note, math can really be a torture. But kids sure know how to make it fun!!