Nobel Minds 2016

Transcript

hello and welcome to the concert hall in Stockholm where this year's Nobel laurates received their awards from the king of Sweden for their outstanding contributions to science and economics and they join a small and Elite group and this is the first time that they'll be appearing together on TV and we've also invited their family and friends to ou... Read More

Summary

This video is a discussion with Nobel laureates in various fields, including economics, chemistry, and physics. The laureates discuss topics such as the age at which Nobel prizes are awarded, the challenges of being a scientist in today's fast-paced, digital age, the role of mentors in scientific research, the importance of distinguishing facts from opinions, and the future applications of their research. The discussion also touches on the impact of Brexit, the rejection of experts' advice by the public, and the lack of women receiving Nobel prizes in science.

Questions & Answers

Q: Do the Nobel laureates think it's a good thing to wait longer to be recognized for their work in economics?

The laureates in economics believe that waiting longer to be recognized can ensure that the contributions being recognized stand the test of time. They acknowledge the importance of ensuring the long-term significance of the work before awarding prizes.

Q: Is there a higher quantity of physicists now compared to a hundred years ago? Does it take longer for real talent to shine through?

The physicists believe that the quantity of physicists has increased significantly, making it harder to determine which piece of work will be significant. They emphasize that talent doesn't necessarily take longer to shine through, but the abundance of information to assimilate makes it more challenging to identify significant contributions.

Q: Does the Nobel laureate in chemistry think the prize acknowledges the benefits of incrementalism?

The laureate in chemistry agrees that incrementalism is beneficial and acknowledges the importance of building upon previous knowledge and experiences. However, they also highlight the occasional eureka moments that open up new fields and the recognition they bring.

Q: Does fast science play a pivotal role in addressing urgent problems like the Zika virus?

The laureate in chemistry recognizes the urgency of problems like the Zika virus and acknowledges that faster scientific progress is necessary to develop drugs and vaccines. However, they also stress the importance of basic science research, which may not have immediate practical applications but could lead to breakthroughs in the future.

Q: How has technology affected the younger generation's ability to focus and conduct research?

The students in the audience express concerns about the impact of technology on their attention spans and the constant distractions they face. However, the Nobel laureates believe that technology can be both an opportunity and a threat, depending on how it's utilized. They emphasize the importance of teaching students how to select and evaluate information critically.

Q: Are Nobel laureates in economics concerned about the trend of reducing funding for fundamental science research?

The laureates in economics acknowledge the pressure on young scientists to secure funding for their research. They believe that maintaining a mentoring system and providing funding for long-term projects are critical to ensuring high-quality research. They also emphasize the importance of distinguishing between good and not-so-good research rather than differentiating between fundamental and applied research.

Q: What are the fundamental limits to the size of artificial molecular machines?

The laureates in chemistry discuss the challenges of the size and integration of molecular machines. While they acknowledge that there are limits to how small these machines can be, they also highlight the importance of integrating them into larger systems for practical applications.

Q: Will molecular robots be mainly used in medicine or molecular electronics?

The laureates in chemistry believe that molecular robots could have applications in both medicine and molecular electronics. However, they acknowledge that the development of these technologies takes time and collaboration between scientists and industries.

Q: What are the negative social or environmental challenges that could arise from the misuse of molecular machine technology?

The laureates in chemistry acknowledge that the misuse of molecular machine technology, like any other technology, can have negative social and environmental consequences. They emphasize the need for responsible and ethical use of new technologies and the importance of understanding the distinction between facts and opinions.

Q: What can Nobel laureates and the general public do to encourage more women to pursue careers in science?

The laureates discuss the underrepresentation of women in science and the importance of role models, mentoring, and addressing subconscious biases. They believe that promoting diversity and creating supportive environments are vital to encouraging more women to pursue careers in science.

Q: Do the Nobel laureates think technological advancements like quantum computers will come from the new insights in quantum mechanics?

The laureates in physics believe that their discoveries in quantum mechanics could lead to technological advancements, including advancements in quantum computers. However, they emphasize that their initial motivation was purely curiosity-driven rather than focused on practical applications.

Q: Are the Nobel laureates concerned about the lack of women receiving Nobel prizes in science?

The laureates express their desire to see more women receive Nobel prizes in science. They highlight the need for institutional support, encouragement, and changes in societal perceptions. They also discuss the challenges that women face at different stages of their scientific careers and the importance of addressing subconscious biases and discrimination.

Takeaways

The discussion with the Nobel laureates covers a wide range of topics, including the age at which prizes are awarded, the challenges of contemporary science, the impact of technology, the role of mentors, the need for critical evaluation of information, the funding of fundamental research, the potential applications of molecular machines, and the underrepresentation of women in science. The laureates emphasize the importance of supporting long-term research, responsible use of technology, and creating an inclusive and supportive environment to encourage more women to pursue careers in science. Overall, the discussion highlights the complex and ever-evolving nature of scientific research and the need for continuous exploration and innovation.