The Joy of Science Excellence and Its Rewards
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JOY Of
SCIENCE EXCELLENCE AND ITS REWARDS
The
JOY Of
SCIENCE EXCELLENCE AND ITS REWARDS CARL J. SINDERMANN
Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Sindermann, Carl j. The joy of science. lncludes bibliographical references and index. 1. Scientists. 2. Research-Methodology. l. Title. Q147.556 1985 502'.3
85·6604
ISBN 978-0-306-42035-1 ISBN 978-1-4899-6018-4 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4899-6018-4
© 1985 Carl j. Sindermann Originally published by Plenum Press, New York in 1985 Softcover reprint ofthe hardcover 1st edition 1985 All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher
PREFACE
The vague outline of a book based on ca se histories of successful scientists emerged slowly in discussions with colleagues during a decade of exhausting research associated with the creation of an earlier book titled Winning the Games Scientists Play. The perception grew to overwhelming proportions that success in science is closely linked to pleasure in the practice of science, but that this simple observation had rarely been emphasized within or outside scientific circles. Since these insights could not be encompassed satisfactorily in the earlier book, the logical solution was to develop a second book emphasizing the broader horizons of successful careers of scientists. A few sampie chapters were drafted and floated past carefully selected colleagues. The response could not be described as wildly enthusiastic, but good sense dicta ted that the project be continued. Extensive field research was necessary to test the basic premises and the initial perceptions. The best data and the most brilliant insights were gained during late evening cocktail parties at professional meetings. Other good insights were acquired during "twilight sleep" while particularly boring scientific papers were being presented in dimly lit session rooms at those same meetings. v
PREFACE
vi
However, much of the factual base for the book was accumulated through detailed conversations resulting in oral case histories gathered over aperiod of several years. The present document thus has a reasonable quantitative foundation, although its factual base could hardly be described as "statistically robust." As the following pages will attest, this book is dearly, obviously, and emphatically not an attempt at autobiography; rather it is a tale told by an innocent, sometimes gullible observer of scientists in their preferred habitats. It is an account of some of the reasons for success in science, based on extensive scrutiny of those who seem to be contributing to knowledge and enjoying their profession. Books of this kind are of course based on perceptionswhich can vary greatly from one observer to another. This is a sagittal section of the scientific world as seen by one inhabitant, with its successes and
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