• Question: do you have to be super smart to be a scientist?

    Asked by clairemcginn to Adam, Chris, Eleanor, Jessamyn, Sinead on 11 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Adam Murphy

      Adam Murphy answered on 11 Nov 2013:

      Hey Claire,

      Being smart isn’t so much the issue, you just have to be willing to do the work.

      Maths isn’t really my strong suit, and there’s a lot of maths in physics. But, I put in the work and I can do it when I try!

      Even more important is passion. If you’re passionate about what you do, whatever it is, you’ll find a way to succeed!

    • Photo: Eleanor Holmes

      Eleanor Holmes answered on 11 Nov 2013:

      I sure hope not!

      You have to have passion and a curiosity about the world that many people mistake for super-intelligence. But, no. Mostly you put in the work and learn the equations and talk to other people so that you can combine into a collective intelligence much greater than the sum of it’s parts.

      Also, if you don’t know something you can always look it up in a book.

    • Photo: Christian Wirtz

      Christian Wirtz answered on 11 Nov 2013:

      Hi Claire,

      I suppose it helps (as with most things in life), but it’s not necessary! You have to be hard working though and be able to deal with disappointment when things don’t work out as you hoped.
      I think having a high level of curiosity is more important than smartness as it’ll make you keep going better!
      Being good at maths certainly helps but as Eleanor said, you can always look it up in a book!

    • Photo: Jessamyn Fairfield

      Jessamyn Fairfield answered on 11 Nov 2013:

      I’m sure that everyone would answer this question differently, but I’d say no, you don’t have to be super smart to be a scientist. The two most important traits for scientists, in my view, are persistence and curiosity. If you’re interested in learning about the world around you, and willing to make mistakes a few times as you attempt something challenging, then you’d probably be a good scientist.

    • Photo: Sinead Cullen

      Sinead Cullen answered on 11 Nov 2013:

      Hi Claire,

      You do not have to be super smart to be a scientist. But lots of people think this and that’s what puts them off learning science because they instantly think it is too hard which is not to case at all!
      If you are interested in finding out how things work you will be good at science!

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