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Scientists Can Change the World | Peter Gruss | TEDxOIST


[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

welcome everybody and and konnichiwa as

welcome everybody and and konnichiwa as we say here in Japan it’s a great

we say here in Japan it’s a great

we say here in Japan it’s a great pleasure to see in particular so many

pleasure to see in particular so many

pleasure to see in particular so many young and happy faces because it’s you

young and happy faces because it’s you

young and happy faces because it’s you young people the young students the

young people the young students the

young people the young students the young scientists the young postdocs who

young scientists the young postdocs who

young scientists the young postdocs who were born into an age with an advanced

were born into an age with an advanced

were born into an age with an advanced technology that recited in the

technology that recited in the

technology that recited in the historically highest level of prosperity

historically highest level of prosperity

historically highest level of prosperity but as a consequence you have also

but as a consequence you have also

but as a consequence you have also inherited some global challenges such as

inherited some global challenges such as

inherited some global challenges such as climate change such as increasing energy

climate change such as increasing energy

climate change such as increasing energy demand and there’s almost a real inner

demand and there’s almost a real inner

demand and there’s almost a real inner relative relationship between the wealth

relative relationship between the wealth

relative relationship between the wealth of a country and the amount of energy

of a country and the amount of energy

of a country and the amount of energy that is being used and in not so distant

that is being used and in not so distant

that is being used and in not so distant future we will have 9 billion people

future we will have 9 billion people

future we will have 9 billion people living on this planet many of them will

living on this planet many of them will

living on this planet many of them will be in aging societies with all the

be in aging societies with all the

be in aging societies with all the related diseases so mankind relies on

related diseases so mankind relies on

related diseases so mankind relies on your creativity your intelligence your

your creativity your intelligence your

your creativity your intelligence your integrity and your responsibility to

integrity and your responsibility to

integrity and your responsibility to solve these problems that are ahead of

solve these problems that are ahead of

solve these problems that are ahead of you and being on the brink of the fourth

you and being on the brink of the fourth

you and being on the brink of the fourth Industrial Revolution we will reach very

Industrial Revolution we will reach very

Industrial Revolution we will reach very soon the age of exponential knowledge

soon the age of exponential knowledge

soon the age of exponential knowledge that is to say the collective global

that is to say the collective global

that is to say the collective global knowledge will double every 12 hours

knowledge will double every 12 hours

knowledge will double every 12 hours this is a result of women and men

this is a result of women and men

this is a result of women and men worldwide dedicating their life to

worldwide dedicating their life to

worldwide dedicating their life to generating knowledge through science and

generating knowledge through science and

generating knowledge through science and as one of them I can assure you there is

as one of them I can assure you there is

as one of them I can assure you there is no profession that allows you such an

no profession that allows you such an

no profession that allows you such an intellectual freedom

intellectual freedom

intellectual freedom freedom to put your ideas into effect

freedom to put your ideas into effect

freedom to put your ideas into effect and have an impact on the course of

and have an impact on the course of

and have an impact on the course of history having spent a life in science

history having spent a life in science

history having spent a life in science myself I thought I sum up what is

myself I thought I sum up what is

myself I thought I sum up what is necessary to become young a good

necessary to become young a good

necessary to become young a good scientist in the essence of what I

scientist in the essence of what I

scientist in the essence of what I learned can be summarized in the five Cs

learned can be summarized in the five Cs

learned can be summarized in the five Cs of success first be curious Albert

of success first be curious Albert

of success first be curious Albert Einstein once said I have and we’ve just

Einstein once said I have and we’ve just

Einstein once said I have and we’ve just seen him we have well on a picture I

seen him we have well on a picture I

seen him we have well on a picture I have no special talent I’m just

have no special talent I’m just

have no special talent I’m just passionately curious so all of you will

passionately curious so all of you will

passionately curious so all of you will know that you are doing the right thing

know that you are doing the right thing

know that you are doing the right thing if you are passionate about it do not

if you are passionate about it do not

if you are passionate about it do not drag on projects or things that you do

drag on projects or things that you do

drag on projects or things that you do not like to do just to please others an

not like to do just to please others an

not like to do just to please others an intense curiosity has served many of the

intense curiosity has served many of the

intense curiosity has served many of the greatest scientists around the globe and

greatest scientists around the globe and

greatest scientists around the globe and very often they did not find what they

very often they did not find what they

very often they did not find what they were originally setting out to do there

were originally setting out to do there

were originally setting out to do there was roentgens discovery of the x-ray

was roentgens discovery of the x-ray

was roentgens discovery of the x-ray there was Alexander Fleming discovery of

there was Alexander Fleming discovery of

there was Alexander Fleming discovery of lysozyme and penicillin and the more

lysozyme and penicillin and the more

lysozyme and penicillin and the more recent example or a manual sharpen Jay

recent example or a manual sharpen Jay

recent example or a manual sharpen Jay and Geneva dude nos discovery of the

and Geneva dude nos discovery of the

and Geneva dude nos discovery of the crisp our cusp a system now these two

crisp our cusp a system now these two

crisp our cusp a system now these two ladies set out to study a bacterial

ladies set out to study a bacterial

ladies set out to study a bacterial defense system a system that protects

defense system a system that protects

defense system a system that protects the bacteria from certain viruses but

the bacteria from certain viruses but

the bacteria from certain viruses but what that finding turned out to be is

what that finding turned out to be is

what that finding turned out to be is the hottest gene editing tool that is

the hottest gene editing tool that is

the hottest gene editing tool that is available currently and that has come

available currently and that has come

available currently and that has come out of curiosity driven research and

out of curiosity driven research and

out of curiosity driven research and with the help of this tool in the

with the help of this tool in the

with the help of this tool in the not-too-distant future we will be able

not-too-distant future we will be able

not-too-distant future we will be able to cure genetic diseases and I mean pure

to cure genetic diseases and I mean pure

to cure genetic diseases and I mean pure genetic diseases we will be able to

genetic diseases we will be able to

genetic diseases we will be able to treat certain cancers and that is just

treat certain cancers and that is just

treat certain cancers and that is just an example of what the value of funding

an example of what the value of funding

an example of what the value of funding basic research and as my mentor Nobel

basic research and as my mentor Nobel

basic research and as my mentor Nobel Prize laureate Manfred eigen said

Prize laureate Manfred eigen said

Prize laureate Manfred eigen said everything that is new has to come from

everything that is new has to come from

everything that is new has to come from basic research or else it wouldn’t be

basic research or else it wouldn’t be

basic research or else it wouldn’t be new of course you need to understand the

new of course you need to understand the

new of course you need to understand the new that you discover many have seen an

new that you discover many have seen an

new that you discover many have seen an apple fall but only Newton understood

apple fall but only Newton understood

apple fall but only Newton understood the concept of gravity next important

the concept of gravity next important

the concept of gravity next important issue is be creative because creativity

issue is be creative because creativity

issue is be creative because creativity comes from the recognition that there

comes from the recognition that there

comes from the recognition that there are alternative ways to see things it is

are alternative ways to see things it is

are alternative ways to see things it is the power to connect the seemingly

the power to connect the seemingly

the power to connect the seemingly unconnected now there are many examples

unconnected now there are many examples

unconnected now there are many examples for creativity but the one I selected

for creativity but the one I selected

for creativity but the one I selected here was that allows me also to have a

here was that allows me also to have a

here was that allows me also to have a bridge between creativity and

bridge between creativity and

bridge between creativity and breakthrough innovation because they are

breakthrough innovation because they are

breakthrough innovation because they are based on very similar principles this

based on very similar principles this

based on very similar principles this one is from Tim berners-lee and Tim

one is from Tim berners-lee and Tim

one is from Tim berners-lee and Tim berners-lee

berners-lee

berners-lee was a young man only of the age of 25

was a young man only of the age of 25

was a young man only of the age of 25 when he was working in CERN and came up

when he was working in CERN and came up

when he was working in CERN and came up with a proposal to the to the the chair

with a proposal to the to the the chair

with a proposal to the to the the chair of CERN to the director of CERN to

of CERN to the director of CERN to

of CERN to the director of CERN to arrange a communication system between

arrange a communication system between

arrange a communication system between computers that were widespread around

computers that were widespread around

computers that were widespread around the campus and as you can see the

the campus and as you can see the

the campus and as you can see the director of CERN then wrote it’s vague

director of CERN then wrote it’s vague

director of CERN then wrote it’s vague but exciting and indeed he gave Tim

but exciting and indeed he gave Tim

but exciting and indeed he gave Tim berners-lee the freedom to continue with

berners-lee the freedom to continue with

berners-lee the freedom to continue with this idea with this concept and we all

this idea with this concept and we all

this idea with this concept and we all know what’s happened the World Wide Web

know what’s happened the World Wide Web

know what’s happened the World Wide Web the internet actually the entire global

the internet actually the entire global

the internet actually the entire global communication system has been based on

communication system has been based on

communication system has been based on that particular discovery next one is be

that particular discovery next one is be

that particular discovery next one is be courageous don’t accept a trottin path

courage means you do not accept limits a

courage means you do not accept limits a friend of mine you

friend of mine you

friend of mine you see here Stefan hello we worked at the

see here Stefan hello we worked at the

see here Stefan hello we worked at the same Institute had an interest in light

same Institute had an interest in light

same Institute had an interest in light microscopy now you have to understand

microscopy now you have to understand

microscopy now you have to understand that the resolution power of light

that the resolution power of light

that the resolution power of light microscopy is half the wavelengths of

microscopy is half the wavelengths of

microscopy is half the wavelengths of light which comes up to about 250

light which comes up to about 250

light which comes up to about 250 nanometer now Stefan was interested in

nanometer now Stefan was interested in

nanometer now Stefan was interested in increasing the resolution power in

increasing the resolution power in

increasing the resolution power in getting more visibility in living

getting more visibility in living

getting more visibility in living objects and he was actually pretty

objects and he was actually pretty

objects and he was actually pretty criticized by many people around the

criticized by many people around the

criticized by many people around the globe but he didn’t gave up and so he

globe but he didn’t gave up and so he

globe but he didn’t gave up and so he developed a tool that he termed

developed a tool that he termed

developed a tool that he termed stimulated emission depletion it’s a

stimulated emission depletion it’s a

stimulated emission depletion it’s a system with fluorescence microscopy that

system with fluorescence microscopy that

system with fluorescence microscopy that now allows you the resolution to go down

now allows you the resolution to go down

now allows you the resolution to go down to 20 nanometers so you can literally

to 20 nanometers so you can literally

to 20 nanometers so you can literally see macromolecules in living cells and

see macromolecules in living cells and

see macromolecules in living cells and while he was criticized and originally

while he was criticized and originally

while he was criticized and originally had a say problem finding even jobs he

had a say problem finding even jobs he

had a say problem finding even jobs he wouldn’t have this problems today

wouldn’t have this problems today

wouldn’t have this problems today because in 2014 he received the Nobel

because in 2014 he received the Nobel

because in 2014 he received the Nobel Prize for that finding next is be

Prize for that finding next is be

Prize for that finding next is be critical and seek intellectual input for

critical and seek intellectual input for

critical and seek intellectual input for your work it is sometimes daunting and

your work it is sometimes daunting and

your work it is sometimes daunting and when it’s a little bit afraid of

when it’s a little bit afraid of

when it’s a little bit afraid of actively seeking criticism but it is

actively seeking criticism but it is

actively seeking criticism but it is necessary in order to assure that

necessary in order to assure that

necessary in order to assure that quality research is being done the best

quality research is being done the best

quality research is being done the best is you find mentors and sometimes

is you find mentors and sometimes

is you find mentors and sometimes mentors can be with you can be partners

mentors can be with you can be partners

mentors can be with you can be partners for life have a nice anecdote between

for life have a nice anecdote between

for life have a nice anecdote between two people who I value very highly

two people who I value very highly

two people who I value very highly friends one is Sydney Brenner and one is

friends one is Sydney Brenner and one is

friends one is Sydney Brenner and one is Munford I can boast got the Nobel Prize

Munford I can boast got the Nobel Prize

Munford I can boast got the Nobel Prize in various things and the story goes

in various things and the story goes

in various things and the story goes like the following Manfred Eicher was

like the following Manfred Eicher was

like the following Manfred Eicher was also an accomplished pianist so gay he

also an accomplished pianist so gay he

also an accomplished pianist so gay he gave a piano concert oh and Sydney

gave a piano concert oh and Sydney

gave a piano concert oh and Sydney Brenner was in the audience sitting next

Brenner was in the audience sitting next

Brenner was in the audience sitting next to a professional piano player in one

to a professional piano player in one

to a professional piano player in one Sydney a once month it has was done with

Sydney a once month it has was done with

Sydney a once month it has was done with his Mossad performance Sydney asked his

his Mossad performance Sydney asked his

his Mossad performance Sydney asked his the woman next to him

the woman next to him

the woman next to him so what do you think of him she said oh

so what do you think of him she said oh

so what do you think of him she said oh it’s not bad for a chemist so a day

it’s not bad for a chemist so a day

it’s not bad for a chemist so a day later

later

later Sidney and Manfred they were strolling

Sidney and Manfred they were strolling

Sidney and Manfred they were strolling around the Basel it was and Manfred

around the Basel it was and Manfred

around the Basel it was and Manfred explained to Sidney his latest theory

explained to Sidney his latest theory

explained to Sidney his latest theory about hypercycle in evolutionary biology

about hypercycle in evolutionary biology

about hypercycle in evolutionary biology so then Manfred our city so Sidney tell

so then Manfred our city so Sidney tell

so then Manfred our city so Sidney tell me what do you think of this theory he

me what do you think of this theory he

me what do you think of this theory he said not bad for a pianist so you can

said not bad for a pianist so you can

said not bad for a pianist so you can see even at that level you have you need

see even at that level you have you need

see even at that level you have you need to understand criticism and you invite

to understand criticism and you invite

to understand criticism and you invite criticism and you will get a lot of

criticism and you will get a lot of

criticism and you will get a lot of criticisms for your brand applications

criticisms for your brand applications

criticisms for your brand applications for your manuscripts they will be

for your manuscripts they will be

for your manuscripts they will be scrutinized some of them will be

scrutinized some of them will be

scrutinized some of them will be rejected but let that not discourage you

rejected but let that not discourage you

rejected but let that not discourage you because the peer-review system is not

because the peer-review system is not

because the peer-review system is not without flaws publish or perish is very

without flaws publish or perish is very

without flaws publish or perish is very real and we all know I think it’s not

real and we all know I think it’s not

real and we all know I think it’s not fair to judge a scientists merit by the

fair to judge a scientists merit by the

fair to judge a scientists merit by the number of publication he is being done

number of publication he is being done

number of publication he is being done or using matrix of impact factors of

or using matrix of impact factors of

or using matrix of impact factors of journals but it is a matter of life in

journals but it is a matter of life in

journals but it is a matter of life in science and we have to live with it in

science and we have to live with it in

science and we have to live with it in particular bureaucrats love it because

particular bureaucrats love it because

particular bureaucrats love it because it’s very easy to just say top medium or

it’s very easy to just say top medium or

it’s very easy to just say top medium or bottom we have to live with it but try

bottom we have to live with it but try

bottom we have to live with it but try to concentrate on content publications

to concentrate on content publications

to concentrate on content publications are necessary for career development why

are necessary for career development why

are necessary for career development why because they provide a means of

because they provide a means of

because they provide a means of documenting your results and more

documenting your results and more

documenting your results and more importantly they allow others to

importantly they allow others to

importantly they allow others to reproduce these data and build on them

reproduce these data and build on them

reproduce these data and build on them so innovation and breakthrough

so innovation and breakthrough

so innovation and breakthrough discoveries have only been possible due

discoveries have only been possible due

discoveries have only been possible due to the many experiments that preceded

to the many experiments that preceded

to the many experiments that preceded and publications that preceded them a

and publications that preceded them a

and publications that preceded them a Newton once said if I have seen further

Newton once said if I have seen further

Newton once said if I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of

it is by standing on the shoulders of

it is by standing on the shoulders of giants

giants

giants but make sure your work is correct we

but make sure your work is correct we

but make sure your work is correct we hear a lot of fake news or alternate

hear a lot of fake news or alternate

hear a lot of fake news or alternate effects and to me it sometimes appears

effects and to me it sometimes appears

effects and to me it sometimes appears that the Enlightenment movement of the

that the Enlightenment movement of the

that the Enlightenment movement of the 18th century has by has passed by a

18th century has by has passed by a

18th century has by has passed by a great number of people enlightenment as

great number of people enlightenment as

great number of people enlightenment as you know laid the foundation for reason

you know laid the foundation for reason

you know laid the foundation for reason it’s the primary source of authority and

it’s the primary source of authority and

it’s the primary source of authority and brought to the world Liberty progress

brought to the world Liberty progress

brought to the world Liberty progress and formed the basis for democratic

and formed the basis for democratic

and formed the basis for democratic governments there’s nothing like

governments there’s nothing like

governments there’s nothing like alternate effects except sometimes when

alternate effects except sometimes when

alternate effects except sometimes when I step on my scale in the morning I wish

I step on my scale in the morning I wish

I step on my scale in the morning I wish for some alternative facts but for you

for some alternative facts but for you

for some alternative facts but for you guys fake data in science the kiss of

guys fake data in science the kiss of

guys fake data in science the kiss of death of a scientific career last point

death of a scientific career last point

death of a scientific career last point be concerned be concerned with the

be concerned be concerned with the

be concerned be concerned with the research environment there are

research environment there are

research environment there are governmental institutions startups this

governmental institutions startups this

governmental institutions startups this industry there are philanthropic

industry there are philanthropic

industry there are philanthropic organizations they all can provide a

organizations they all can provide a

organizations they all can provide a conducive research environment the

conducive research environment the

conducive research environment the research goal of them may be different

research goal of them may be different

research goal of them may be different but many of these organizations allow

but many of these organizations allow

but many of these organizations allow what I like to call high trust funding

what I like to call high trust funding

what I like to call high trust funding and let me explain a little bit high

and let me explain a little bit high

and let me explain a little bit high trust versus low trust funding most

trust versus low trust funding most

trust versus low trust funding most organizations most universities depend

organizations most universities depend

organizations most universities depend on low trust funding they have to bring

on low trust funding they have to bring

on low trust funding they have to bring in research funds from grants and

in research funds from grants and

in research funds from grants and applications peer review however is a

applications peer review however is a

applications peer review however is a process that depends on ex-ante a priori

process that depends on ex-ante a priori

process that depends on ex-ante a priori predictions regarding the application

predictions regarding the application

predictions regarding the application consequently it favours mainstream work

consequently it favours mainstream work

consequently it favours mainstream work not risky projects only half-jokingly

not risky projects only half-jokingly

not risky projects only half-jokingly here’s the reason first time you bring

here’s the reason first time you bring

here’s the reason first time you bring in an application

in an application

in an application the referees say it can’t be done you

the referees say it can’t be done you

the referees say it can’t be done you work on it

work on it

work on it submit the second time this application

submit the second time this application

submit the second time this application the argument is well you didn’t do it

the argument is well you didn’t do it

the argument is well you didn’t do it right third time you published your

right third time you published your

right third time you published your publication you bring in your

publication you bring in your

publication you bring in your application

application

application the argument is well it’s obvious

the argument is well it’s obvious

the argument is well it’s obvious anyways so it’s very hard to satisfy the

anyways so it’s very hard to satisfy the

anyways so it’s very hard to satisfy the demand of referees a priori and the

demand of referees a priori and the

demand of referees a priori and the general supporting structure does not

general supporting structure does not

general supporting structure does not support high-risk project that’s why

support high-risk project that’s why

support high-risk project that’s why Stefan Hill Emmanuelle Charpentier or

Stefan Hill Emmanuelle Charpentier or

Stefan Hill Emmanuelle Charpentier or Tim berners-lee all had high trust

Tim berners-lee all had high trust

Tim berners-lee all had high trust funding for their research in this

funding for their research in this

funding for their research in this research funding is given based on

research funding is given based on

research funding is given based on previous accomplishments believing that

previous accomplishments believing that

previous accomplishments believing that the best scientist will produce the most

the best scientist will produce the most

the best scientist will produce the most important results very simply put front

important results very simply put front

important results very simply put front people not projects that is the essence

people not projects that is the essence

people not projects that is the essence of Hydra Stanly of course there is

of Hydra Stanly of course there is

of Hydra Stanly of course there is quality assessment but the quality

quality assessment but the quality

quality assessment but the quality assessment is retrospectively and there

assessment is retrospectively and there

assessment is retrospectively and there are many examples of small pioneering

are many examples of small pioneering

are many examples of small pioneering research organizations that allow for

research organizations that allow for

research organizations that allow for more creative enterprises as well as

more creative enterprises as well as

more creative enterprises as well as some big companies that actually allow

some big companies that actually allow

some big companies that actually allow for basic research being funded

for basic research being funded

for basic research being funded historically there are two very

historically there are two very

historically there are two very well-known it’s the Bell Laboratories

well-known it’s the Bell Laboratories

well-known it’s the Bell Laboratories and the Institute of immunology in Basel

and the Institute of immunology in Basel

and the Institute of immunology in Basel and there are certain institutional

and there are certain institutional

and there are certain institutional factors that foster creativity hire the

factors that foster creativity hire the

factors that foster creativity hire the top scientists and leaders if scientific

top scientists and leaders if scientific

top scientists and leaders if scientific independence early on generate small but

independence early on generate small but

independence early on generate small but interdisciplinary groups with a wide

interdisciplinary groups with a wide

interdisciplinary groups with a wide scientific scope usually the most

scientific scope usually the most

scientific scope usually the most efficient group site is eight and give

efficient group site is eight and give

efficient group site is eight and give enough institutional Co funding and

enough institutional Co funding and

enough institutional Co funding and allow external third party income so

allow external third party income so

allow external third party income so what will be your visions what will be

what will be your visions what will be

what will be your visions what will be your accomplishments by the time you

your accomplishments by the time you

your accomplishments by the time you reach my age well it’s hard to say of

reach my age well it’s hard to say of

reach my age well it’s hard to say of course and like Peter Sellers the

course and like Peter Sellers the

course and like Peter Sellers the British comedian once said predicting

British comedian once said predicting

British comedian once said predicting the future is a bit like scratching

the future is a bit like scratching

the future is a bit like scratching yourself before being stung but based on

yourself before being stung but based on

yourself before being stung but based on our knowledge today we

our knowledge today we

our knowledge today we to expect progress in sustainable energy

to expect progress in sustainable energy

to expect progress in sustainable energy provisions we hope for reduce co2 level

provisions we hope for reduce co2 level

provisions we hope for reduce co2 level we will have and see intelligence and

we will have and see intelligence and

we will have and see intelligence and autumn autonomous robots which will

autumn autonomous robots which will

autumn autonomous robots which will result in a lot of labour forces lost in

result in a lot of labour forces lost in

result in a lot of labour forces lost in our productor in our manufacturing

our productor in our manufacturing

our productor in our manufacturing industry we will see a lot of

industry we will see a lot of

industry we will see a lot of man-machine interfaces the word is

man-machine interfaces the word is

man-machine interfaces the word is Internet of Things we will lead longer

Internet of Things we will lead longer

Internet of Things we will lead longer and healthier lives some even believe

and healthier lives some even believe

and healthier lives some even believe that the current longest living person

that the current longest living person

that the current longest living person with 120 some is not the absolute limit

with 120 some is not the absolute limit

with 120 some is not the absolute limit that there is no absolute limit but what

that there is no absolute limit but what

that there is no absolute limit but what is most important does that result in a

is most important does that result in a

is most important does that result in a happy life well in order to do so of

happy life well in order to do so of

happy life well in order to do so of course you all have to work to take our

course you all have to work to take our

course you all have to work to take our society’s along in any case I wish that

society’s along in any case I wish that

society’s along in any case I wish that with you by the time you retire the

with you by the time you retire the

with you by the time you retire the landscape of science will have changed

landscape of science will have changed

landscape of science will have changed the world for the better or as the

the world for the better or as the

the world for the better or as the science philosopher naturalist

science philosopher naturalist

science philosopher naturalist politician Francis Bacon several hundred

politician Francis Bacon several hundred

politician Francis Bacon several hundred years ago in other words a more

years ago in other words a more

years ago in other words a more traditional English has said science

traditional English has said science

traditional English has said science should make the world a better place to

should make the world a better place to

should make the world a better place to live in and this is my ultimate

live in and this is my ultimate

live in and this is my ultimate invitation to you thank you very much

invitation to you thank you very much

invitation to you thank you very much [Applause]

”

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