Chapters 8 through 14 of Letters to a Young Scientist, talked mostly about Wilson’s work with different ant species. However, there were some character traits of a scientists that he talked about, and some that he actually displayed himself. One of the things that he brought up in the reading was that research scientists are prone to being introverted opposed to extroverted. I do not believe this to be true, however, from what we have previously read and viewed with other scientists it makes sense why he would think this. I think that the reason research scientists tend to be introverted is due to the characteristics that they have. These characteristics can cause scientists to be focused on their work — what they are passionate about — which can make it seem as though they are introverted, and in some cases can actually add to the introversion.
Another thing that came up in the reading was how observant Wilson is. Attentiveness to detail and being observant are important characteristics in a scientists; we have seen this characteristic in other scientists we have read about as well including Einstein and McClintock. This observant quality allows scientists to notice things that others may have missed, or might not have noticed if they were not observant to the world around them. Wilson’s dedication to his research and work is another character trait that he exhibits. This dedication can also be seen in some of the other scientists talked about this semester, for example Barbara McClintock. McClintock was so dedicated to her research and her work that she knew corn better than most others in her field. This dedication allowed her — and others talked about — to get their work done not only thoroughly but passionately as well. In the reading Wilson also discussed how a “feeling for an organism” can allow someone to do better, more passionate, work. As soon as this sentence was stated I automatically thought of Barbara McClintock. It was often said that she had a “feeling for the organism” which allowed her to discover the truths about corn that others had overlooked. This “feeling” is not needed to be a great scientists, however, I think that it does help make a scientists more passionate about their research and work. This passion is the driving force of science and it is what allows scientists to make such great discoveries.
Another thing that came up in the reading was how observant Wilson is. Attentiveness to detail and being observant are important characteristics in a scientists; we have seen this characteristic in other scientists we have read about as well including Einstein and McClintock. This observant quality allows scientists to notice things that others may have missed, or might not have noticed if they were not observant to the world around them. Wilson’s dedication to his research and work is another character trait that he exhibits. This dedication can also be seen in some of the other scientists talked about this semester, for example Barbara McClintock. McClintock was so dedicated to her research and her work that she knew corn better than most others in her field. This dedication allowed her — and others talked about — to get their work done not only thoroughly but passionately as well. In the reading Wilson also discussed how a “feeling for an organism” can allow someone to do better, more passionate, work. As soon as this sentence was stated I automatically thought of Barbara McClintock. It was often said that she had a “feeling for the organism” which allowed her to discover the truths about corn that others had overlooked. This “feeling” is not needed to be a great scientists, however, I think that it does help make a scientists more passionate about their research and work. This passion is the driving force of science and it is what allows scientists to make such great discoveries.