Chapter 263 Digging a Big Hole for the United States
When Ridgway said that there was no physics in the United States, all the members of the American Physical Society present were shocked.
If there is no physics, then what are these people?
What is the American Physical Society?
It can be said that Li Qiwei’s words made everyone’s thoughts towards him become subtle.
However, Michelson in the front row looked at Li Qiwei with a complicated expression.
He was very grateful.
Li Qiwei’s words showed that he came today with sincerity.
Because criticism is unpleasant, but it represents the truth; while praise is pleasant, but it covers up shortcomings.
If people want to perfunctory, they can praise the level of physics in the United States, but what's the point?
The physics community in the United States is too closed and keeps amusing itself without realizing it.
To this day, outsiders use sharp words to expose this beautiful atmosphere.
But it is difficult for others to think like Michelson.
It is difficult for them to bear this statement in their hearts.
Especially Edison snorted coldly, and even Li Qiwei heard it.
But there are very few people like Edison.
Although everyone was dissatisfied, out of respect for Li Qiwei, they still remained silent and waited for his next words.
Li Qiwei on the stage looked at everyone's performance and couldn't help but sigh.
If his words were heard in Europe, there would probably be a commotion down there.
But the people present still restrained their emotions.
Because they actually know the true situation of physics in the United States, but no one is willing to be the first to stand up.
That means he will be an enemy of everyone.
Even Michelson adopted a roundabout strategy and invited Li Qiwei over.
At this time, Li Qiwei continued: "I know everyone here may be curious."
"Today I am obviously here to give an academic report and introduce the most cutting-edge developments in physics."< br>
"Why should I say at the beginning that there is no real physics in the United States."
"Because if we want to study the latest physics, we must first understand what real physics is."
“I don’t mean to discuss the difference between academic physics and applied physics.”
“Concerning this aspect, the speech given by the American physicist Professor Rowland in 1883 has already The most perfect explanation.”
“I am deeply moved every time I read his speech “An Appeal for Pure Science.”
"The spirit of pursuing true science is what I admire."
"Professor Rowland said: Telegraphs, electric lights and other conveniences are not science."
Speaking of which , Li Qiwei pretended to be apologetic and said to Edison: "Sorry, Mr. Edison, I didn't mean to offend."
Everyone suddenly started to laugh from their dissatisfaction.
This blues is too damaging.
Of course everyone here knows about Professor Roland's speech.
That is the so-called declaration of freedom in the American scientific community.
In his speech, Professor Roland made the most violent satire on inventors like Edison.
Think that they just stole the ideas of great people and applied them in daily life to make themselves rich.
Having no shame, they are complacent and look down on those researchers who really do pure science.
They regard the acquisition of wealth as the only meaning of science.
The most disgusting thing is that they have controlled public opinion and made countless ordinary people unable to distinguish what real science is.
Mistaking small mounds for mountains, thinking that small inventors or local celebrities are unattainable compared to international scientific leaders.
Insignificant inventions are exaggerated as scientific discoveries, third-rate people are set up as role models, and the highest honors are bestowed on mediocre people.
These phenomena can easily distort the thinking of young scholars.
As a result, pure science in the United States will become increasingly weak.
Professor Roland’s speech was inspiring and made everyone realize the importance of pure science.
Without science itself, there would be no applied science.
Of course, after more than two decades of development, American elites have begun to pay attention to it and take action.
The internal division between pure science and applied science is very clear.
Moreover, Michelson also used great courage to break the barriers between the two sides.
Let pure science and applied science complement each other and develop together to enhance the overall strength of American physics.
It can be said that the current American scientific community is no longer what it was back then.
Edison sitting here is the best proof.
As for what everyone thinks, whether there is any pride and prejudice, it is unknown.
Today, Li Qiwei suddenly mentioned Professor Roland's speech, reminding everyone of those passionate days again.
But Edison's mood was very unhappy.
It was equivalent to Li Qiwei belittling him in public. The key point was that he couldn't refute it because it was Roland who said it, not Li Qiwei.
Of course Li Qiwei did it on purpose. He promised Tesla and naturally he couldn't break his promise.
He just wants to show everyone that he will always support his own people.
And Edison's arrogance made him very unhappy.
It’s been a long time since I hit a villain in the face, and Li Qiwei’s hands are a little itchy.
At this time, he continued: "But everyone, don't be happy too early."
"Electric lights are not science, but you study and teach quantum theory, X-rays, and radioactivity. Is it true? Is that science?”
“I don’t think so”
Wow!
No one could laugh anymore.
Many people were complacent just now, thinking that they were doing purely scientific research, and wanted to see Edison's jokes. As a result, Li Qiwei now struck them in the face with a blow, making them dizzy.
Why, if I study gravitation, it is no longer science.
"The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded for the tenth time since it was awarded in 1901, but only an American, Professor Michelson, has won the prize."
"The Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine are even more... Not one American."
"This is enough to illustrate certain problems."
"After Professor Roland, the United States thought that it valued pure science or academic science research."< br>
“However, you have never thought about what is pure science.”
"Narrowing the scope a bit, what kind of research can be called physics?"
Buzz!
There were whispers in the audience.
Obviously everyone is beginning to understand what Li Qiwei meant.
“In today’s era, you can select the best student from any university.”
"I can say with certainty that his research on the laws of mechanics must be better than Newton's."
"He can do the questions faster than Newton."
"But this student can and Like Newton, is he called a physicist?”
“Obviously not!”
“According to the current classification of physicists, there is only a certain detail within the existing theoretical framework. Only those who make proofs or breakthroughs can be regarded as real physicists” (Chapter 115)
"And he's just an ordinary physicist."
"There are still countless distances from Newton."
"Then we can't help but ask, what is the essential gap between this student and Newton? ?”
Everyone in the audience looked ashamed at this moment. In fact, they knew that Li Qiwei was deliberately giving face.
Because this student actually represents the people here.
“I think the essence is the ability to discover problems.”
“The ability to discover a simple but profound physical problem.”
“Being able to solve gravity problems of various difficulties is not an ability.”
“Being able to tell how long gravity lasts and what its range is is the real ability.”
“This is also the most important quality of a physicist.”
"Why there is no real physics in the United States, because you have always followed European physics."
"Enjoy the fruits of others, but do not cultivate your own seeds."
"Europe discovered the phenomenon of radioactivity, and you followed suit to search for various radioactive elements, but Rutherford studied the nature of radioactivity."
"Europe discovered X-rays, and you followed suit to search for other rays. , but don’t care about the principle of ray generation.”
“Why are there so few American papers in the regular issue of Nature? It’s because they lack originality.”
"Don't think I'm talking nonsense. I came to this conclusion after reading a lot of papers published by you Americans."
Of course Li Qiwei is talking nonsense. The papers he has read so far add up to There are no more than 10 articles.
But his words were deafening to everyone's ears.
It can be said that he pointed out the current problems of American physics sharply.
In the name of science, what we do is actually the work of engineers.
"So, although it seems that you are studying cutting-edge physics, such as relativity, quantum theory, atoms, etc."
"But you don't have your own system."
"You don't have your own style. ."
"At the first Bruce Conference, Professor Michelson proposed using relativity in atomic research."
"This is the direction a real physicist should think about."
"I just don't know what the current research progress is in this direction in the United States."
Michelson saw that under Li Qiwei's stimulation, everyone present was dejected, and it was obvious that he was severely hit.
As the boss of American physics, he naturally has to stand up to cheer up his younger brothers and boost their confidence.
So, he smiled and said: "Bruce, don't underestimate us."
"At present, we have also achieved some results. We are just waiting for the day when the second Bruce meeting will be held, so that The European physics community should take a good look. ”
Li Qiwei smiled and said: "Then I really have to wait and see."
"However, in addition to the atomic field, I think there are several directions that are also very suitable for the current United States."
Everyone heard His breathing became rapid, and it was obvious that Bruce was going to have something to say.
At this moment, everyone was extremely grateful to Li Qiwei.
Not only was he willing to risk being wronged, but he directly pointed out the problems with American physics.
And he also shared the most important topics without any secrets.
Bruce is really a good friend of the American people.
However, what no one knows is that they will be deceived by the good friend in front of them and become lame.
From then on, the scientific level of the United States was completely reduced to second rate, and it could only pick up the leftovers of China.
Li Qiwei had a sincere smile on his face, appearing to be selfless and giving everything he had to others.
Previously, at the First Bruce Conference, Michelson and others paid attention to the application of relativity to atoms.
Although this can slow down the level of physics in the United States, it is not enough.
Because the United States still has a large population, it produces many physicists.
One research direction cannot attract too many people.
Now, Li Qiwei still needs to add some ingredients.
It would be best to make the United States spend countless manpower and material resources, but also have them gain nothing in the end.
No, at least I can still publish a lot of papers.
And now, he has an excellent super pit for the United States.
(End of this chapter)