Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019
How do you recognise a good teacher?
John B. Goodenough: First, if they are clear and understand what they are talking about but they also have to know how to challenge you. Not in a way that turns you off, but in a way that challenges you to turn on. So a good teacher always makes you do something a little bit more than you thought that you could do.
What qualities do you think you need to be a successful scientist?
John B. Goodenough: First, don’t copy. Think about the problem and to remember that we compete against problems, not against people.
What life advice can you share?
Well I think you should be enthusiastic about life. You should enjoy what you do.
I think to live life to the fullest you have to be able to have dialogue with people who want to dialogue with you. I think you have to just be thankful for life and be thankful for people who like to engage in meaningful dialogue with you. I don’t think pessimism gets us anywhere. Even though we may live in illusions we have to work very hard to fulfill our illusions as best we can.
What environment encourages creative thinking?
John B. Goodenough: Quietness. (laughing) I mean you have to think, that’s hard work. I suppose I do my best thinking when I am in dialogue with somebody about a problem. I think dialogue is very important for thinking. And sometimes when you have to write something up, you are dialoguing with yourself as you are writing something up and you think about things. You have to try to be clear when you write. And you have to try to be brief. Get away with the clutter and just get to the point.
Majicman Notes 
Leave a comment