"Certainty creates strength... Uncertainty creates weakness". Strongly stated by John M. Barry, author, whom feels strongly about the work and world of science. Barry says these words in telling that to be a good scientist, one must be certain in analyzing research and finalizing in an accurate conclusion. Barry provides several examples in explaining his theory on scientist and what makes them good and what makes them weak. He has no doubt that to be a scientist, one must know all and have all in coming up with a correct answer. He is also aware of what it takes to be a successful scientist and that is is not just a skill that some people have. John Barry uses many devices to state his opinion on what is takes to conduct scientific research.
Firstly, Barry states what a good scientist is, which he feels many people feel often do not realize. "To be a scientist not only requires intelligence and curiosity, but passion, patience, creativity, self-sufficiency, and courage". Barry is explaining that not only do one need to have knowledge and yearn for knowledge, but also that desire to take previous discoveries to the next level. He understands that not everything can be concluded in one experiment, which is why patience is so key. To conduct experiment and experiment takes a lot of patience, but with the drive to come up with a conclusion, one will start thinking outside the box, thus making a good scientist.
Barry compares real scientist of today to them being of the frontier. He say that they all "deal with the unknown". That only the best of scientist can go to where there is nothing and still make something of it. To be able to out to where there is nothing and no rhyme or reason, nor tools and order. To utilized all that is available and make something of it. In this comparison, Barry is explaining how "In the wilderness the scientist must create... everything". It would be like starting from scratch and having no rule book to be a guide.
Next, Barry used a device where he is pondering a series of what-if questions. By doing this, he is making the reader thing logically of what scientists must do to conduct experiment when having nothing to play off of. Barry uses an example where he is explaining that if a scientist is in the wilderness, he must know what he is trying to find and then what is takes in order to find what is desired. "It is grunt, tedious work that begins with figuring out what tools one needs and then making them". Series of questions are to be analyzed when thinking about what it is that needs to be found, and what it will take to find it. With no tools, one must make then. A lot must be taken into consideration when trying to figure these specifics out.
In all, it is true that conducting scientific research is not an easy task to accomplish. It takes a lot of patience and time, but once successful, it is worth it. Barry makes several good points and uses good devices to come up with a fair explanation on what is takes to be a successful scientist and how it is not a task that everyone can accomplish. |