Reflections on the nature of genius: on the 300th anniversay of Mikhail Lomonosov (1711-1765)

• Main Author: Shiltsev, V.
• Other Authors: United States. Department of Energy. Office of Science.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory 2012
• Subjects: Other; Fermilab Other; Historical Aspects; Evaluation; 71 Classical And Quantum Mechanics; General Physics; Mikhail Lomonosov
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc837944/

This presentation goes beyond celebratory narration of the life and scientific achievements of Russia's first modern scientist Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov (1711-1765). Coming from the notion of complexity of sciences, we introduce 'a genius formula' G = TBD for semi-qualitative evaluation of a person's impact on the society, distinguish two type of geniuses, give several examples and draw general conclusions. The work largely follows presentation at the Fermilab Colloquium in November of 2011.