Joshua ElkingtonFounder and General Partner at Axial

Jennifer Doudna, Good versus Great Scientists

Name: Jennifer Doudna, Good versus Great Scientists
Uploaded: 2024-05-24T16:11:10+00:00
Duration: 59 s
Channel: Joshua Elkington
Description: In this brief interview segment, the speakers discuss the qualities that distinguish merely good scientists from truly exceptional ones. Speaker A…

24 May 2024 · 1 min

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In this brief interview segment, the speakers discuss the qualities that distinguish merely good scientists from truly exceptional ones. Speaker A emphasizes that the key differentiators are relentless drive, deep passion for an idea, and the willingness to persist until a solution is found or to pivot when necessary, turning setbacks into new opportunities. Speaker B adds that embracing unexpected results is another crucial factor, viewing them as chances for discovery rather than obstacles. Together, they outline a mindset of persistence, adaptability, and openness to surprise as hallmarks of great scientific talent.

Chapters

But I think what separates the very good ones from the really, the absolutely off-scale people who I say, wow, they could, they should have my job, are those that are just, you know, really driven. They're passionate about an idea. Nothing's going to dissuade them from it. They're going to figure out a way to find an answer or get this idea to, to work or to decide that, you know, it's not going to and they're going to pivot to something else that turns out to be interesting in its own right. So it's really that kind of persistence and passion somehow that I think really separates people that I've seen, you know, the really the very, the very best ones. But I don't know how you would— what you would say, Shinya.
Well, I agree, I agree. But in addition to that, I have to say unexpected results are really a big chance.