SCIENTISTS 



activity. F. M. Burnet considers that part-time research is usually 

 "of relatively unimportant character". 



Piatt and Baker suggest that a research worker may have to 

 choose between having a reputation as being good natured and 

 easily accessible to visitors but mediocre, or on the other hand 

 temperamental but successful. Visitors to laboratories who are 

 merely scientific sightseers ought to be severely discouraged, but 

 most research workers are glad to make time to talk to visitors 

 who have a genuine and serious interest in their work. 



Just before his death Pavlov wrote : 



" What can I wish to the youth of my country who devote 

 themselves to science? Firstly, gradualness. About this most 

 important condition of fruitful scientific work I can never speak 

 without emotion. Gradualness, gradualness, gradualness . . . 

 never begin the subsequent without mastering the preceding . . . 

 But do not become the archivist of facts. Try to penetrate the 

 secret of their occurrence, persistently searching for the laws 

 which govern them. Secondly, modesty ... do not allow haughti- 

 ness to take you in possession. Due to that you will be obstinate 

 where it is necessary to agree, you will refuse useful and friendly 

 help, you will lose your objectiveness. Thirdly, passion. Remem- 

 ber that science demands from a man all his life. If you had two 

 lives that would not be enough for you. Be passionate in your 

 work and your searching." 



68 



Enthusiasm is one of the great motivating forces, but, like any- 

 thing associated with emotion, it can be fickle. Some people are 

 given to bursts of intense enthusiasm which are short-lived, 

 whereas others are able to sustain their interest for long periods, 

 usually at a more moderate intensity. It is as well to learn as much 

 as possible about oneself in this, as in other respects. Personally, 

 when I feel myself in the grip of an enthusiasm, warned by past 

 experience, I try to assess the situation objectively and decide 

 if there is a solid foundation for the enthusiasm or if it is hkely 

 to burn itself out leaving that deflated feeling from which it is 

 difficult to rouse further interest in the subject. One help in 

 sustaining interest in a subject is to share that interest with 

 colleagues. This also helps to sober one up and check ill-founded 

 bursts of enthusiasm. Young people are especially liable to get 

 excited about their ideas and be impatient to try them out without 



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