Why are the most famous scientists physicists and not mathematicians?

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The discussion centers on the disparity in fame between physicists and mathematicians, highlighting that renowned scientists like Newton, Einstein, Rutherford, and Hawking are more recognized than mathematicians such as Gauss, Euler, and Descartes. The consensus is that the general public finds physics more relatable and appreciable than mathematics, leading to greater fame for scientists. Participants argue that while mathematicians contribute significantly to science, their work is often less accessible and engaging for the masses, resulting in lower public recognition.

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  • Understanding of basic physics concepts
  • Familiarity with notable figures in both physics and mathematics
  • Knowledge of the distinction between scientists and mathematicians
  • Awareness of public perception and appreciation of science versus mathematics
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  • Research the contributions of mathematicians like Grothendieck to understand their impact on science
  • Explore the relationship between physics and mathematics in scientific discovery
  • Investigate public engagement strategies for science versus mathematics
  • Examine case studies of famous scientists and their communication methods to the public
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Students, educators, and science communicators interested in understanding the dynamics of fame in the scientific community and the public's perception of different fields of study.

alexmahone
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World famous scientists like Newton, Einstein, Rutherford, Hawking are all physicists. However mathematicians like Gauss, Euler, Leibniz, Descartes etc are much less famous.

Why is that? Is it because most people can relate to physics better than maths?
 
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Alexmahone said:
World famous scientists like Newton, Einstein, Rutherford, Hawking are all physicists. However mathematicians like Gauss, Euler, Leibniz, Descartes etc are much less famous.

Why is that? Is it because most people can relate to physics better than maths?

1. Newton was also a mathematician.

2. Gauss, Euler and Descartes were also scientists.

3. Mathematicians are not scientists.

CB
 
Alexmahone said:
World famous scientists like Newton, Einstein, Rutherford, Hawking are all physicists. However mathematicians like Gauss, Euler, Leibniz, Descartes etc are much less famous.

Why is that? Is it because most people can relate to physics better than maths?

Why are most famous people in the world celebrities?
 
ThePerfectHacker said:
Why are most famous people in the world celebrities?

Because they're celebrities? What's your point?
 
Alexmahone said:
Because they're celebrities? What's your point?

But why? Why is someone like the queen of England so famous? The queen of England is a parasite. She achieved nothing whatsoever in her life. Even dictators of the world had to do something, work hard, to get that position. The queen is the most parasitic person, no individual accomplishments at all. She was simply handed over that position as she was born into it. She is not a gifted person, she is not smart, she is not artistic. She achieved nothing. But why is she famous?

The point is that people choose who they like. How famous someone is is determined by what others think of him. The reason why scientists are not as well known as celebrities on television is because the masses prefer the actors over the scientists. That is it. However, on this forum we talk more often of the scientists, for us they are more famous, as we value them more.

Most people can at least see some value in science, much harder for them to appreciate mathematics. Thus, they value the scientists more.
 
I think science is conceptually more appreciable than mathematics. It's easier for someone to appreciate the work of Einstein than it's to appreciate that of, say, Grothendieck. I know more maths than physics, but I've a more general grasp of what Einstein did than what Grothendieck did. I think it's also far easier to get curious about science than maths. Therefore scientists tend to be understandably more famous than mathematicians.
 

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