With the dead of Stephen Hawking last week, I thought about modern mythology a bit more. I was aware that Scientists, in general, are part of modern mythology. We see scientists in their labs, esoteric experiments, dubious ones and some that could truly save lives. Their lab coats are impeccable. They have safety glasses even if there is the risk explosion is minimal. Scientific research seems so much mysterious, I find it is akin of the old Alchemists of the Middles Ages.
The Scientific myth is a bit dual. There is the plain scientific mind researching useful cures or understanding our universe. There is also the Mad Scientist like Doctor Frankenstein in old black and white movies. Their researches seems to be wilder and crazier. It deal more as cautionary tales to me. They seems to go to the limits of morality. It is science going the wrong way. With all the stores of mad scientist, it look easy to say: «Mister Sceintist, don't go that way. You may regret it. It is so darn wrong!»
I must admit I am fond of the Mad Scientist myth. Exploring unethical experiements have a exciting element. I feel I can be the bad boy of science and be safe at the same time. Exploring under a dexk safety. Those scientists are living on the edge and don't necesseraly see the ramification of their acts. It is the case of Doctor Frankenstein, in the original story.
On the other hand, there is scientist who made their discovery under unexpected conditions. It is also exciting. Those scientists can have a nice public persona. Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking are the perfect example. They are seen as geniuses in their field. They are the reference when we talk about intelligent people. I think they help consolidate the myth of the bright and intelligent scientist, a modern myth we have right now.
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