Is Einstein the ultimate genius?

Major breakthroughs in science are the field of individuals and not of research institutes. Galileo, Copernicus, Edison and Einstein had to work in their own labs or reflect on the universe in personal studies.

But in recent decades, especially since the successful launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite in 1957, the trend has created many large research institutes that promote cooperation and large grants.

It is now more difficult to achieve great scientific progress. A study by Nobel laureates in 2005 found that knowledge accumulation over time forces large brains to work harder before they reach a breakthrough. The era in which thinkers created great innovations increased six years in the 20th century.

But do not rush to set aside individual geniuses at this time.

The balance between the individual method and the institute's method is the best idea, according to Duke University engineer Adrian Bejan, who thinks academics benefit most from co-existence. exist of large self-organizing groups and single scientists making great initiatives.

Bejan wrote in the December issue of the International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics: 'The history of scientific achievements is marked by individual researchers, from Archimedes to Newton and Darwin. Independent thinkers are very influential throughout the history process because natural science itself has benefited their minds as well as the prosperity of society. Although the trend towards large research groups, individuals still flourish '.

But the concept of a single genius is overestimated, even geniuses confirm this.

As Isaac Newton, for example, he said that he had no achievements in his research, such as that movement and gravity rule by 'standing on the shoulders of giants'.

Soviet pressure

The modern research process changed unexpectedly after October 4, 1957, when the former Soviet Union became the first country to bring Sputnik into space. The event triggered a spectacular development of US funding for the major research institutes of the institute. This model is adopted by smaller research institutes, they also form a larger research group to attract funding.

However, big independent thinkers did not disappear. Bejan thinks they continue to grow. He thought that his construction hypothesis was born in 1996 that could explain why.

When will the next generation Einstein appear? (Photo: poster.ne)

The hypothesis states that the so-called evolutionary flow system balances and minimizes imperfections, reduces friction and other forms of resistance so that the least amount of energy is used. Examples in the wild include rivers, streams that fill up plains or complex airways in the lungs.

In research conducted by humans, Bejan found that there are two main flows: the idea flow in the form of scientific discovery, and the flow of support measured by tangible agents such as grants and laboratories.

He said: 'Successful research groups are self-developing and transforming groups over time. For example, an individual came up with a new idea, he received funding, and a research team began to formulate it. This creates a framework in which many small groups contribute to the general idea. '

Solitary confinement

Bejan thinks that extremism is not conducive to science.

He said: 'If a research institute consists only of individual researchers, it will have many ideas but have little support. On the other hand, a large group for the benefit of the majority will have a lot of support, but there will be fewer initiatives based on the number of researchers'.

This problem is the epitome of the old Soviet-style research, where the government sets the goals and scope of research, and sets the monolithic structure with scientists of the same purpose.

There is no inheritance disagreement between research empires and individuals, but balance to serve the greater benefit. Therefore, research institute managers need to be more comfortable with individuals with big ideas.

Bejan said: 'I think that managers force their partners to work in large groups just to attract funding, to increase their profile or to spend more paper. They are operating in opposition to the self-organizing nature of research and research institutes. Absolute association in large groups does not happen and will never happen. '

Einstein generation inherited?

Some argue that the nature of genius is irrevocable or untouchable.

A 35-year study published in 2006 on how children with innate mathematical skills will live in their lives revealed the composition of a great brain with many innovations: ability to receive consciousness, educational opportunities, passion and hard work. Not everyone who is born smart will become a genius.

So when will the next generation Einstein appear?

It was a question that even Einstein could not answer. But according to other great genius opponents of Einstein, two decades between Einstein and Newton meant nothing. That means that Einstein's posterity may be a newborn or may not be born yet.