Comments on: Fritz Zwicky, scientist.

By: barbarina zwicky

barbarina zwicky — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 18:06:34 +0000

Thank you.

By: Mangesh

Mangesh — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 17:46:55 +0000

Barbarina: we often use the Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Scientist heading to express our admiration for brilliant scientists who have lived extraordinary and colorful lives. Honestly, I think of it as an honor, and I only wish I were intelligent enough, and charismatic enough to join the ranks: Richard Feynman, Tycho Brahe, Einstein, Alan Turing, Tesla and tons more. There is no doubt your father was a “trailblazing genius,” as Mary put it, but we also love the fact that history seems to be filled with wonderful anecdotes about him. He seemed to have a great personality, and sense of humor. But because you seem sincerely offended, I’m happy to change the title and take him off the list. It’s a minor gesture, but I do hope it helps soothe your annoyance with us. best wishes. /mangesh

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 17:40:57 +0000

Barbarina –

I’m sorry you find the title offensive. “MMMMS” is a regular feature on the site and the use of the word “mad” is meant in extreme jest — to indicate thinkers who are or were far ahead of their colleagues, in fact. Other scientists who have appeared in this feature include Nobel-winning biochemist Paul Berg, beloved songwriter and mathematician Tom Lehrer, and (most recently) Amy Smith, an MIT engineer who has contributed greatly to the environmental movement. Obviously we don’t think any of them are “mad” in the clinical sense. We are featuring them because we admire their accomplishments and their brainpower.

As far as the picture, I’ve replaced it with another, since I can not seem to find any of the other three photos you mention. (The one that was originally featured here has been reproduced by itself many other places.) I did feel that the original photo captured your father’s playful spirit and was clearly an outsize comedic pose that he was striking for the camera.

By: barbarina zwicky

barbarina zwicky — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 17:26:18 +0000

I believe that the title of “Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Scientist: Fritz Zwicky” is outrageous and offensive to my father’s name. The photograph is not only taken out of context, but is highlighted by an inflammatory title. It is the author who wields the influence and can taint the fabric of truth by using this technique. It is also the author’s individual compass that guides his/her work. I am posting my comments for the record only.

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 21:02:54 +0000

Barbarina — wow! It’s amazing to hear from you. I don’t doubt for a second that your father was a trailblazing genius (and yes, way beyond those grudging colleagues you mention). Had I know the photo was part of a series of four, with captions, I would have shown them all! (And certainly I think it’s obvious from the photo that he’s striking a funny pose.) If you know where I can find them, I’d love to put up all four with context/captions…

By: barbarina zwicky

barbarina zwicky — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 20:15:56 +0000

It is unfortunate, that the many exaggerated anecdotes and stories about my father are repeated, as if verified fact, by those who have read them. As a scientific trailblazer and visionary, my father’s theories were so advanced that it took his colleagues over 50 years to even begin to comprehend them. My father was referring to the spherical nescience to truth and the incompetence of many grudging colleagues. The photograph printed is actually taken out of context from a series of four with captions. I was present when those photographs were taken at Caltech, portraying a scientist in comical, deliberately exaggerated fashion.