If you could question of any scientist in history

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of questioning historical scientists. Participants share their thoughts on which scientist they would choose to question and what inquiries they would pose, reflecting on personal interests and historical contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares a personal anecdote about Stephen Hawking and reflects on the nature of questions posed to him.
  • Another participant suggests asking Galileo about his views on Christians, indicating a curiosity about historical perspectives on religion.
  • A different participant expresses a desire to ask Charles Darwin about his fears regarding ostracism due to his theories conflicting with Biblical literalism.
  • Another question proposed is directed at Gregor Mendel, inquiring whether he manipulated data in his experiments.
  • A participant expresses interest in asking Einstein about the phrasing of his statement regarding the behavior of fast clocks.
  • One participant wishes to ask Dr. Eugene Shoemaker about his findings in the Tanami Desert, hinting at personal suspicions and a desire for confirmation.
  • A humorous suggestion is made to Fermat, presenting him with an empty notebook, implying a playful approach to his famous last theorem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express diverse interests in questioning different scientists, with no consensus on a single figure or question. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple competing views.

Contextual Notes

Participants' questions reflect personal interests and historical contexts, but the discussion does not delve into the implications or accuracy of the scientists' work or the questions posed.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the history of science, the personal lives of scientists, and the interplay between science and society may find this discussion engaging.

Ivan Seeking
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If you could question any scientist in history

Darn. Didn't get back in time to fix the title.

I recently heard a story about a tech at Femi Lab who found himself alone for a few minutes with Stephen Hawking. What would you say!?

Also, when I saw Hawking at the U of O some years ago, we all submitted a questions and ten were selected to be answered. I really had to think about my question; where to begin...?

If you could ask one question of any scientist from history, who and what would you ask.

My favorite question that was asked of Hawking: "If you could go anywhere in the universe, where would it be?" It seems that no one had ever asked him this before. His answer [effectively]: If somehow made possible, inside of a black hole.

Hawking asked the tech at Fermi Lab if he like his job. The tech said something like, "my job kind of sucks sometimes but the work is interesting". Hawking eventually replied: "Me too".

Hey Integral, if you are reading this, did I get that right? Did he actually say "sucks" to Hawking or did he just say that to us? Maybe he just said "boring".
 
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"Hey Galileo, what do you think of Christians?"
 
I am not going to be able to top that, Dagenais!

I would ask Darwin, "Did you fear being ostracized by your community for providing a theory that was so at-odds with Biblical literalism?"

Second choice: I would ask Gregor Mendel if he fudged any of his data in his pea-plant experiments.
 
Einstein. I'd ask him if he really meant to write "Fast clock run slow." or if "Fast clocks will be measured as running slow" wouldn't have been a better way to put it.
 
Dr Eugene Shoemaker

I've conversed with many famous scientists over the years.

The one that I would like to ask just one more question of, is the late Dr Eugene Shoemaker.

I would ask him, "What did you find on your final visit to the Tanami Desert?"

I have my suspicions, but I'd like confirmation.

PS: I was the one who recently obtained (and posted) the Coroner's Report on Dr Eugene Shoemaker.
 
Dagenais said:
"Hey Galileo, what do you think of Christians?"

Galileo: Some, like me, are good. Some, like Ludovico delle Colombe, are bad.
 
"Now Mr. Fermat, here's a nice, empty notebook with lots of space in these pages..."
 

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