What does it take? |

I just finished reading a really terrible book. One for which I had high hopes. (No, I won’t insult the author by giving you his name or the book title. Even though I think he deserves such condemnation.) After it, it purported to discern whether mathematics could prove or disprove the existence of the Supreme Being.

The book proved nothing. It simply degenerated into a discussion of all the friends the author had that should impress us into considering how important he really is. (I could have been impressed- but I heard of- or knew- his friends, but never heard of him. But, that’s not why the book was bad. It was bad because it was poorly written.)

The one thing I enjoyed about the book was not even supposed to be part of the discussion. What is the difference between discovery and invention. Too many of us fail to comprehend the nuances.

According to the dictionary, invention is a unique or novel device, method, composition or process. Discovery, on the other hand, is the act of finding or learning something for the first time. Both can be done alone or in groups. But, truthfully, we all rely on prior knowledge or principles.

And, the fact of the matter is that rarely is our first foray or experiment the answer. Many different trials (and, usually, tribulations) are involved. It’s our ability to keep our cool- our interest- our elan- that permits us to “solve” the issue at hand.

As I was growing up, I remember learning about Paul Ehrlich. Dr. Ehrlich popularized the concept of the ‘magic bullet’- the ability to find the perfect compound to do the job. He also commercialized the concept of compound 606- the 606^th drug he tested that was finally able to treat syphilis. Now, that was a discovery.

Or, consider how much time Thomas Edison spent developing his incandescent light bulb. Trial after trial, from early 1878 through November 1879, when he filed for a patent (but still kept trying to perfect the invention).

My artificial kidney development took me years of trials. (OK, I admit it. I was very young and lacked sufficient knowledge at the start of my endeavor.) But, later on, my ability to make the first liquid bicarbonate dialysate took about 14 months. The colon lavage development was much quicker. But, our first china toilet (commode) took every bit of 12 months. (I- and my team- developed a healthy appreciation for the genius of Sir Thomas Crapper during that escapade.) The development of the first non-pasteurized apple cider- that had a 6 month shelf-life and no loss in flavor- was extremely quick- because I modified another invention for that specific purpose. (Cheating, I know.)

It’s that sort of perseverance that we need to teach our nascent scientists and engineers. Because without such traits, they may just give up and not keep trying- even when they are “this close”. Of course, the converse- knowing when it’s time to throw in the towel and try a completely new approach (or walk away completely)- is another learning experience that will be critical.

If we want to keep improving our lives- with discoveries and inventions- then this can’t be an afterthought.