“If physics is too difficult for the physicists, the nonphysicist may wonder whether he should try at all to grasp its complexities and ambiguities. It is undeniably an effort, but probably one worth making, for the basic questions are important and the new experimental results are often fascinating. And if the layman runs into serious perplexities, he can be consoled with the thought that the points which baffle him are more than likely the ones for which the professionals have not found satisfactory answers.” IfsShouldTryingMayImportantRunningFoundDifficultAnswersResultsEffortWonderSeriousPhysicsComplexityFascinatingPhysicistAmbiguityPerplexityLayman Author:Edward Condon
“On May 15, 1957 Linus Pauling made an extraordinary speech to the students of Washington University. ... It was at this time that the idea of the scientists' petition against nuclear weapons tests was born. That evening we discussed it at length after dinner at my house and various ones of those present were scribbling and suggesting paragraphs. But it was Linus Pauling himself who contributed the simple prose of the petition that was much superior to any of the suggestions we were making.” MayMadeIdeasScienceHouseBornSimpleStudentsBirthSpeechWeaponsTestsScientistExtraordinaryUniversityVariousDinnerNuclearSuperiorsEveningProseLengthNuclear WeaponsSuggestionsParagraphSuggestingPetitions Author:Edward Condon