RE: Ask a theoretical physicist turned teacher, lecturer and author
July 21, 2017 at 2:23 pm
(This post was last modified: July 21, 2017 at 2:24 pm by Alex K.)
(July 21, 2017 at 1:50 pm)Kernel Sohcahtoa Wrote: My apologies if my question is vacuous (or if it has already been asked), but out of curiosity, what skills are absolutely necessary for success in theoretical physics? Do you have to be impossibly intelligent, incredibly curious, extremely focused, etc.?
Not impossibly intelligent. You have to be above average to very intelligent. A miraculous IQ sure helps, but is not a guarantee for success, and not necessary for it either. You have to be gifted enough at abstract maths that you can learn advanced topics in finite time. In addition to those basic requirements, curiosity to see and come up with exciting questions, a creative mind to find solutions and, last but not least, an excellent ability to think strategically about which topics are both interesting and within your capabilities to attack.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
