I thought some discussion might go in that direction, and I considered clarifying my intent on this thread to mean specific individuals. There are a great many "everyday heroes".
Of course, I don't make the rules around here, so I can't control what people post.
Haha.
Well that's why I felt the need to clarify this. This could easily morph into "whom do you admire?", and that could be a long list.
(Warning: Pegheycentric dork talk coming)
Carolyn Bertozzi inspired my interest in 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, specifically of azides and acetylenic compounds in addition to the long moribund Staudinger ligation. I met her at the pinnacle of her genius, around 1998 or so, when she was only about 30 and had a blazing intellect and vision that I have never in my life (before or since) been in the presence of. Her groundbreaking work is an incredible crossover between biochemistry and synthetic organic chemistry. When I saw her work and heard her speak, I was convinced she would win a Nobel prize one day.
Unfortunately, she became so wrapped up in her personal life as a champion of lesbian rights that she neglected her magnificent scientific talents. She is still a great chemist, but I believe that, if you'll allow the analogy, the orange tree that is her mind peaked in potential from 1997 to 2005, and she chose to turn her attention away from it to water a different tree during this time. She is of course free to choose her pursuits as she sees fit; I just think she was a better scientist than activist. Nevertheless, she had a profound impact on no small number of chemists, including me. Much of the later half of my PhD thesis work was inspired by her ideas.
The two most overused/abused words in the English language are hero and fiance...
I admire a great many people. I myself am reserving the word "hero" for people who have been truly the upper echelon. This is all I can think of.
Carolyn Bertozzi (whom I've met)
Albert Einstein
Glenn Seaborg
My heroes are Abe Lincoln, Helen Keller, and MLK.
I guess that I need to add VA now because he admitted that he was wrong. ; )
I stand corrected. I didn't realize that "flautist" was correct.
And the short answer is - no. The long answer is that it's possible that something in there somewhere has value, but if there is, it has not made itself known to science. Like almost All Things Woo they fall apart when subjected to controlled scrutiny.
Buuuuut I didn't want this thread to be about this.
Flautist is correct though I got a good laugh out of le Petomane. -I had no idea! :)
You put no stock in Ayurvedic medicine?
"@VA: turmeric is popular in Ayurvedic medicine"
I know. And I have argued about such things here for eons. There is no friendly way to continue it. Didn't I say that I know a lot - perhaps even most - people believe in this garbage? We are beer leaving it at that.
"Irish flautist."
A very amusing typo. Halfway between "flutist" and "flatulist". Look up "Le Petomane".
@VA: turmeric is popular in Ayurvedic medicine. It is great for anti inflammatory issues- as are most spicy or hot spices like cimamon and I believe some peppers.
My Hero: James Galway- Irish flautist. He brings such unadulterated joy to the music he plays. To me his playing is a gift of love.
I was ready for a heap of bullshit when I went in to see what these cretins wrote.
Will wonders never cease. Jonas Salk. An outstanding choice. Proof that even the worst batter hits a home run at least once in a while.
ncal, "TRUTH HAS ITS REWARDS"
DR. James Engstrom. The last honest professor at an American University. He paid the ultimate price for telling the truth when the politicians and the establishments wanted lies.
A true American hero. He gave up everything for the truth.
Doctor Jonah Salk, 1952. If sports players are paid what they get. How much wasDoctor Jonah Salk worth?
James Randi.
James Fucking Randi. This probably surprises nobody who knows me and knows who he is.
A far more talented and dedicated debunker of bullshit then myself. He IS a hero. He has dedicated his life to destroying charlatans and fraudsters - many very famous ones - and pissing off almost everyone in the process with no apologies.
I know there are no small number of people here and in my family and friends who believe in everything from faith healers to psychics to magnetic wristbands to chakras to the healing powers of crystals or the herb of the day. I believe this week it's turmeric. I see a vast wasteland of fraud and lies and it makes me angry. People like Randi at least let me know that I am not alone and that there are people who work tirelessly to stop these thieves.
Who are you heroes? More specifically, who do you look up to and admire for what they do for the world?
I have a few, although only one is likely to be known to anyone here... and that is.....
