1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 263 Digging a Big Hole for the United States

When Ridgway said that there was no physics in the United States, all the members of the American Physical Society present were shocked.

Without physics, what would they be?

What is the American Physical Society?

It can be said that Li Qiwei's words made everyone's thoughts about him become subtle.

However, Michelson in the front row looked at Li Qiwei with a complicated expression.

He was very grateful in his heart.

Li Qiwei's words showed that he came here with sincerity today.

Because criticism is unpleasant to the ear, but it represents the truth; while praise is pleasant to the ear, but it covers up shortcomings.

If people want to be perfunctory, they can just praise the level of physics in the United States, but what's the point?

The physics community in the United States is too closed and has been entertaining itself without realizing it.

Until today, this beautiful atmosphere has been shattered by outsiders' sharp words.

But it is difficult for others to think like Michelson.

It is difficult for them to tolerate such statements in their hearts.

Edison, in particular, snorted coldly, and even Li Qiwei heard it.

But there are few people like Edison.

Although everyone was dissatisfied, out of respect for Li Qiwei, they remained silent and waited for his next words.

Li Qiwei on the stage couldn't help but sigh as he watched everyone's performance.

If he had said this in Europe, there would probably have been an uproar.

But the people present still controlled their emotions.

Because they actually know the true situation of physics in the United States, but no one is willing to be the first to stand up.

That means he will be the enemy of everyone.

Even Michelson adopted a roundabout strategy and invited Li Qiwei over.

At this point, Li Qiwei continued, "I know everyone here may be curious."

"Today I am here to give an academic report and introduce the most cutting-edge advances in physics."

"Why did you say at the beginning that there is no real physics in the United States?"

"Because in order to study the latest physics, we must first understand what real physics is."

"I don't mean to discuss the difference between academic physics and applied physics."

"In 1883, the American physicist Professor Rowland gave the most perfect explanation of this aspect."

“Every time I read his speech ‘An Appeal for Pure Science’, I am deeply moved.”

“That spirit of pursuing true science is what I admire.”

"Professor Rowland says: The telegraph, the electric light, and other conveniences are not science."

At this point, Li Qiwei pretended to apologize to Edison and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Edison, I didn't mean to offend you."

Everyone suddenly stopped expressing their dissatisfaction and started to hold back their laughter.

This Bruce is too mean.

Of course, everyone here knows Professor Roland’s speech.

That is known as the declaration of freedom of the American scientific community.

In his speech, Professor Roland made the most violent satire on inventors like Edison.

They believe that they are simply stealing the ideas of great people and applying them in their daily lives to make themselves rich.

Instead of being shameless, they are complacent and look down on those researchers who are truly doing pure science.

They regard the acquisition of wealth as the only meaning of science.

The most hateful thing is that they control public opinion, making it impossible for countless ordinary people to distinguish what is real science.

They mistake a small mound for a mountain and believe that a small inventor or local celebrity is more unattainable than an international scientific leader.

Trivial inventions are exaggerated into scientific discoveries, third-rate people are set up as examples, and the highest honors are bestowed on mediocre people.

These phenomena can easily distort the thinking of young scholars.

As a result, pure science in the United States will become increasingly weak.

Professor Roland's speech was eye-opening and made everyone realize the importance of pure science.

Without science itself, there would be no applied science.

Of course, after more than two decades of development, American elites have begun to pay attention and take action.

There is a clear division internally between pure science and applied science.

Moreover, Michelson broke down the barriers between the two sides with great courage.

Let pure science and applied science complement each other, develop together, and enhance the overall strength of American physics.

It can be said that the current American scientific community is no longer what it was in Roland's time.

Edison sitting here is the best proof of this.

As for what each person thinks in their heart and whether there is any arrogance and prejudice, it is unknown.

Today, Li Qiwei suddenly mentioned Professor Roland's speech again, which reminded everyone of those passionate years.

But Edison was in a very bad mood.

It was equivalent to Li Qiwei belittling him in public, and the key point was that he had no way to refute it because that was what Roland said, not Li Qiwei.

Of course Li Qiwei did it on purpose. He had promised Tesla and he naturally couldn't go back on his word.

He just wants to show everyone that he always supports his people.

And he was very upset by Edison's arrogant behavior.

It's been a while since I last slapped a villain in the face, and Li Qiwei is feeling a little itchy.

At this time, he continued: "But everyone, don't be happy too soon."

"The electric light is not science, but you study and teach quantum theory, X-rays, and radioactivity. Is that science?"

"I don't think so."

Wow!
This time, no one could laugh anymore.

Many people were complacent just now, thinking that they were doing pure scientific research and wanted to see Edison's joke. But now Li Qiwei hit them on the head and made them dizzy.

What? I study gravity, so how come it’s not science?

"The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded since 1901. This is the tenth time this year, but only Professor Michelson is an American winner."

"And there is not even an American winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry or the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine."

“That speaks volumes.”

"After Professor Roland, the United States thought it valued the study of pure science or academic science."

"But you have never thought about what pure science is."

"Narrowing the scope, what kind of research can be called physics?"

hum!
There were whispers from the audience.

Apparently everyone began to understand what Li Qiwei meant.

"In this day and age, you can pick out the best student from any university."

"I can say with certainty that his work on the laws of mechanics must have been better than Newton's."

"I can solve problems faster than Newton."

"But can this student be called a physicist like Newton?"

"Obviously not!"

"According to the current classification of physicists, only those who have proved or made breakthroughs in a certain detail problem within the existing theoretical framework can be considered true physicists." (Chapter 115)
"And he's just an average physicist."

“There is still an infinite distance to Newton.”

"Then we can't help but ask, what is the essential difference between this student and Newton?"

The people in the audience looked ashamed at this moment. In fact, they knew that Li Qiwei was deliberately giving them face.

Because this student actually represents all of them present here.

“I think the essence is the ability to identify problems.”

"The ability to discover a simple but profound physics problem."

"Being able to solve gravity problems of varying difficulty is not a skill."

"Being able to figure out how long gravity lasts and how far it affects is the real ability."

"This is also the most important quality for a physicist."

“Why is there no real physics in the United States? Because you have always been following European physics.”

"Enjoying the fruits of others but not planting your own seeds."

"Europe discovered radioactivity, and you followed suit to look for various radioactive elements, but Rutherford studied the nature of radioactivity."

"Europe discovered X-rays, and you followed suit to look for other rays, but you didn't care about the principles of how the rays were produced."

“Why are there so few American papers in Nature? Because they lack originality.”

"Don't think I'm talking nonsense. I came to this conclusion after reading a lot of papers published by you Americans."

Of course, Li Qiwei was talking nonsense. So far, the number of papers he had read did not exceed 10 in total.

However, his words were deafening to everyone's ears.

It can be said that he pointed out the current problems in American physics very accurately.

In the name of science, what we are actually doing is the work of engineers.

"So, although it seems that you are studying cutting-edge physics, such as relativity, quantum theory, atoms, etc."

“But you don’t have your own system.”

“I don’t have my own style.”

“At the first Bruce Conference, Professor Michelson proposed applying the theory of relativity to atomic research.”

"This is the direction a true physicist should think about."

"I just don't know how your research in the United States is progressing in this direction."

Michelson saw that under Li Qiwei's instigation, everyone present was dejected, obviously they were hit hard.

As the boss of American physics, he naturally has to stand up and cheer up his younger brothers and boost their confidence.

So, he smiled and said, "Bruce, don't underestimate us."

"We have achieved some results so far, and we are just waiting for the second Bruce Conference to be held so that the European physics community can take a closer look."

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "Then I really have to wait and see."

"However, in addition to the atomic field, I think there are several other areas that are very suitable for the current United States."

Everyone breathed quickly after hearing this; it was obvious that Bruce was about to say something substantial.

At this moment, everyone was extremely grateful to Li Qiwei.

Not only is he willing to risk being wrongly accused, he is also willing to directly point out the problems of American physics.

Moreover, they share the most important topics without reservation.

Bruce is truly a good friend of the American people.

However, what no one knew was that they would be fooled by their good friend in front of them and their legs would become lame.

From then on, the scientific level of the United States completely fell to second-rate, and it could only pick up the leftovers of China.

Li Qiwei showed a sincere smile on his face, appearing to be selfless and willing to share his knowledge.

Previously, at the first Bruce Conference, Michelson and others focused on the application of relativity to atoms.

Although this can slow down the level of physics in the United States, it is far from enough.

Because the United States has a large population, it has produced many physicists.

One research direction cannot attract too many people.

Now, Li Qiwei wants to add some more ingredients.

It would be best if the United States could spend countless manpower and material resources, but end up with nothing in return.

No, at least a lot of papers can be published.

And now, he has a perfect super pit for the United States.

(End of this chapter)