• Question: What is the scientific formula for success?

    Asked by N0t0r1us 3x4m1n4t0r to Connor, Jillian, Lidunka, Sarah, Steven on 16 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Jillian Scudder

      Jillian Scudder answered on 16 Jun 2015:

      I don’t think there is one. :/

      I don’t even think there’s a formula for scientific success, though for that one you can at least increase your odds a little by doing careful work, and making sure to advertise your work at conferences and with your coworkers.

    • Photo: Lidunka Vocadlo

      Lidunka Vocadlo answered on 16 Jun 2015:

      @N0t0r1us 3x4m1n4t0r hard work and integrity

    • Photo: Steven Thomson

      Steven Thomson answered on 16 Jun 2015:

      I wish I had a formula for success, but I don’t think anyone really knows for sure!

      Once, when I had a particularly big research success, I commented to a senior colleague “I’ve gotten really lucky lately!”

      He looked at me for a moment and said, “You know, it’s a funny thing. I find the harder I work, the luckier I get. You haven’t gotten lucky, Steven – you’ve worked hard.”

      So I guess that’s the closest thing I have to a formula for success – work hard!

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