Giorgio Parisi: “Fundamental science is crucial.”

Transcript

hello hello am i speaking with professor parisi yes i'm george hello my name is adam smith i'm calling from the website of the nobel prize many congratulations on the award of the nobel thank you very kind of course there has been speculation that you might be in the running for a nobel prize for some years how does it feel to be awarded the prize ... Read More

Summary

In this video, Professor Parisi, who has been awarded the Nobel Prize, discusses his work on complex systems and the importance of fundamental science. He also talks about the need for the government to understand and support fundamental science. Additionally, he shares his perspective on the attention he will receive after winning the Nobel Prize.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does it feel to be awarded the Nobel Prize?

Professor Parisi expresses his happiness and gratitude for receiving the Nobel Prize. He sees it as a recognition of the importance of the field he has worked on for many years and developed since the early days of studying complex systems.

Q: What attracts Professor Parisi to a particular problem?

For Professor Parisi, the key factor in choosing a problem to work on is finding it deeply interesting and enjoyable. He believes that working on something fun leads to unexpected ideas and breakthroughs.

Q: Does Professor Parisi choose problems that are almost impossible?

The complexity of the problem is not necessarily a deciding factor for Professor Parisi. While a problem may seem relatively simple, it can still be extremely hard to fully understand and study. The challenge lies in unraveling the underlying mechanisms and finding solutions.

Q: How does the recognition from the Nobel Prize highlight the importance of fundamental science in understanding climate change?

Professor Parisi agrees that fundamental science plays a crucial role in understanding climate change. By recognizing his work, the Nobel Prize emphasizes the significance of studying the fundamentals and how they contribute to applied science and finding solutions for humanity.

Q: Do people generally understand the importance of fundamental science?

Generally, people do understand the importance of fundamental science. However, there are instances where governments overlook its significance when making decisions. Professor Parisi mentions countries like South Korea, which values fundamental science, but also highlights the need for other governments to do the same.

Q: How does Professor Parisi feel about the increased attention that comes with winning the Nobel Prize?

Professor Parisi hopes that the attention won't change his life too much. He anticipates a temporary disruption due to a high volume of calls, but he believes it is important for people interested in science to have some understanding of the work he does.

Takeaways

Professor Parisi's perspective on his Nobel Prize win reflects his dedication to studying complex systems. His work, which spans various fields, demonstrates the importance of fundamental science in understanding complex phenomena such as climate change. Additionally, his desire for governments to value and support fundamental science highlights the need for a balance between fundamental and applied sciences. The recognition from the Nobel Prize will inevitably bring greater attention to his work, but he remains hopeful that people will gain a deeper understanding of science through this recognition.