ideal researcher
Publishing thousands of pages over one's lifetime in numerous books and technical articles should not be the aim. The goal should be coming up with an original, simple, beautiful and ground breaking idea that can be explained to a smart high-school student in a couple of hours.
(Of course, in today's academic environment which is ruled by the principle "publish or perish", this will amount to a career suicide. You can not risk not publishing anything!)
Coming up with one such brilliant idea and then leaving the scene is even more ideal. There is something aesthetic about letting your name be historically associated with only one single idea. You have discovered the peak of a large mountain after a rough (but very enjoyable) climb. Now the other climbers (i.e. researchers) can explore the various pathways from this peak to other mountains. You have shown them the way to the top, and unfolding the implications of your finding should be courteously left to others. If you continue hiking around in the hope of another peak, you will be exhibiting the territorial hunger of a savage. It is better to be modest. Besides there is always the risk of being forced to end your research career in an anti-climatic fashion. Legends are not made that way. You are better off leaving the stage while you are still at the top.
(Of course, in today's academic environment which is ruled by the principle "publish or perish", this will amount to a career suicide. You can not risk not publishing anything!)
Coming up with one such brilliant idea and then leaving the scene is even more ideal. There is something aesthetic about letting your name be historically associated with only one single idea. You have discovered the peak of a large mountain after a rough (but very enjoyable) climb. Now the other climbers (i.e. researchers) can explore the various pathways from this peak to other mountains. You have shown them the way to the top, and unfolding the implications of your finding should be courteously left to others. If you continue hiking around in the hope of another peak, you will be exhibiting the territorial hunger of a savage. It is better to be modest. Besides there is always the risk of being forced to end your research career in an anti-climatic fashion. Legends are not made that way. You are better off leaving the stage while you are still at the top.
