Originally Posted by Val
. We should still have met the next Einstein decades ago. Didn't happen. What's missing?

I think the explanation may be that there was more virgin territory in physics at the beginning of the 20th century than the 21st. Great achievement depends on working in a young field, not just talent and hard work.

Some of the smartest people in physics today are working in string theory -- and they may be squandering their careers. Has string theory made any testable predictions? Lee Smolin wrote a book "The Trouble with Physics" on this. Because physics is a relatively mature subject, I may advise my children to specialize in biology instead, where I think there is more to discover. Of course, they should LEARN a lot of physics, which is applicable to all other sciences and engineering.

Last edited by Bostonian; 04/08/11 07:17 PM.
"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle." - George Orwell