Judith Viorst
It’s all well and good to look back with a special issue on the “most influential scientists, thinkers and inventors” of this century. However, you seemed to emphasize the usual superstars of the physical and biological scientists while treating as unimportant the social, environmental and management-type thinkers. But ideas form the late 20th century are what will get us through the next few decades, when we deal with issues of continuing development global economy, aging and human rights. Coping with these problems will be far more important than any flashy new technology.
James R .Socas
If there is one issue of your magazine that a young person should read, it is this one, on the century’s greatest minds .In a generation where young people like me are trapped by being commonplace, it is inspiring to know that there were others long before us who did not give up on their dreams.
Beverly Betz
Ours has been a full century looking for answers, proud of solutions .Somehow the bigger picture had escaped us .All the wonderful advances you covered are seen from inside the universe .No one seems to be stepping outside to ask the big questions: why is there time? Why should there be life, matter, space? What’s the reason for existence, including that of God? If we cannot find answers, we are in fact nowhere .Let’s admit it, none of us has a clue.
Stanley R .Liberty
If the great minds of the century have given us the atom bomb, rockets, the Internet and genetic engineering, maybe next time you should celebrate somewhat lesser minds.
Larry Walker
I sit at a monitor( thanks to electrical engineer Philo Farnsworth) at my computer (thanks to Alan Turing, John Von Neumann, William Shockley and Robert Noyce) .Today the entire world can communicate — 218 — PETS 3 Reading and Writing by websites and e-mail, almost instantly . No longer are time and distance limiting. Tim Berners-Lee’s creation of the Internet has changed Albert Einstein’s space-time continuum.
Statements
1. Judith Viorst
2. James R .Socas
3. Beverly Betz
4. Stanley R .Liberty
5. Larry Walker
A. Your article is meaningless to natural scientists.
B. With the development of technology, the concept of time and space has changed.
C. We cannot talk about progress unless we find answers to the basic questions of life.
D. The great minds of the century have sometimes given us undesirable things like the atom bomb.
E. Great minds of the past can encourage the young generation.
F. A social scientist’s work, as well as that of a natural scientist’s, is essential to help solve problems in the future society.
G. Your selection is totally unnecessary, for people don’t agree as to who are the best minds of the century.