tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9633767.post2395081540903319108..comments2024-03-25T09:11:17.877-07:00Comments on The Curious Wavefunction: Robert Oppenheimer, Hans Bethe and the value of balance and compromiseWavefunctionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14993805391653267639noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9633767.post-77032873407487373832015-08-11T18:24:28.314-07:002015-08-11T18:24:28.314-07:00Well-said Dave! I am a big fan of Oppenheimer, but...Well-said Dave! I am a big fan of Oppenheimer, but in the end Bethe was the greater human being. Oppenheimer had a lot of potential, but Bethe actually realized his potential. And I also sense that he was far happier, which should count for something...Wavefunctionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14993805391653267639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9633767.post-2511895164761067592015-08-11T14:39:15.964-07:002015-08-11T14:39:15.964-07:00Ultimately, I think Bethe comes out ahead. Brillia...Ultimately, I think Bethe comes out ahead. Brilliance is often used as an excuse for being a horse's ass. I suppose, when the stakes are really high, people will indulge this. But once the crisis has passed, the guy who left more friends than enemies in his wake will prevail. <br /><br />Reading 'American Prometheus', I was struck by what an unstable fellow Oppenheimer was as a young man, leaving a poison apple for a mentor. <br /><br />Some brilliant people get away with being unpleasant all their lives. But no one lives or works in a vacuum. Being a jackass, even if you are the smartest person in the room, is just a mistake, I think.<br />Dave Eatonhttp://researchgarage.netnoreply@blogger.com