It's a good point and probably true for most "geniuses", but I would also argue that Inspirational stories and cultural narratives matter, especially to young talented thinkers who face challenging circumstances/criticism. Sure, this may only matter on the margins, but in a modern science that is increasingly a crapshoot in terms of indi…
It's a good point and probably true for most "geniuses", but I would also argue that Inspirational stories and cultural narratives matter, especially to young talented thinkers who face challenging circumstances/criticism. Sure, this may only matter on the margins, but in a modern science that is increasingly a crapshoot in terms of individual success, we want scientists who have confidence in themselves to think individually. Working in a team is not the same as working by yourself, they lead to distinct forms of thinking/working that have their own strengths/weaknesses. Science requires more teamwork than ever, that's necessary and a good thing, but that doesn't mean there are costs.
"I would also argue that Inspirational stories and cultural narratives matter, especially to young talented thinkers who face challenging circumstances/criticism. Sure, this may only matter on the margins" I think we are in agreement here that this is a good thing to an extent, but isn't the end all be all. This could be tied in with the idea, more associated with the left, that "Diversity Matters" in terms of providing Inspirational stories and cultural narratives about pathways to success. The quintessential example being Obama's presidency (like him or not) as inspirational story for AA children.
One of your other commenters said this "It's an overriding myth because it seems to fulfill our fantasies of the hero's journey," I think that they are right in this and I think for this reason we don't have to worry about it going away, because A) It is easier to write History this way, B) People engage with this narrative style more so it sells more and C) If we are talking about younger audiences, the main focus is getting them interested in Science with a good story and less about a nuanced discussion of who exactly should get what credit for what. Hopefully these younger readers also aren't reading the neoliberal garbage on vox.com either, but who knows what Gen-Z is doing.
It's a good point and probably true for most "geniuses", but I would also argue that Inspirational stories and cultural narratives matter, especially to young talented thinkers who face challenging circumstances/criticism. Sure, this may only matter on the margins, but in a modern science that is increasingly a crapshoot in terms of individual success, we want scientists who have confidence in themselves to think individually. Working in a team is not the same as working by yourself, they lead to distinct forms of thinking/working that have their own strengths/weaknesses. Science requires more teamwork than ever, that's necessary and a good thing, but that doesn't mean there are costs.
"I would also argue that Inspirational stories and cultural narratives matter, especially to young talented thinkers who face challenging circumstances/criticism. Sure, this may only matter on the margins" I think we are in agreement here that this is a good thing to an extent, but isn't the end all be all. This could be tied in with the idea, more associated with the left, that "Diversity Matters" in terms of providing Inspirational stories and cultural narratives about pathways to success. The quintessential example being Obama's presidency (like him or not) as inspirational story for AA children.
One of your other commenters said this "It's an overriding myth because it seems to fulfill our fantasies of the hero's journey," I think that they are right in this and I think for this reason we don't have to worry about it going away, because A) It is easier to write History this way, B) People engage with this narrative style more so it sells more and C) If we are talking about younger audiences, the main focus is getting them interested in Science with a good story and less about a nuanced discussion of who exactly should get what credit for what. Hopefully these younger readers also aren't reading the neoliberal garbage on vox.com either, but who knows what Gen-Z is doing.
agreed and well said!