This blog is about a question that always bothered me: Are scientists genius or genuine?

As a child, I was eternally fascinated by the miraculous nature of science. The chemical fizz, twinkling stars, and the nature of life seemed to narrate a symphonic story through the words of numerous scientists. But were all of them genius?

I grew up in the subcontinent of India with beautiful stories that shaped me as an individual. But the stories that remained with me were often replete with determination and persistence – words that are not as frequently linked to scientists. And this made me ponder about the nature of scientific personalities. Were all the scientists simply prodigies? Or were they pioneers who reached their destiny through persistence?

I feel that behind the knotty headlines and stories that reflect upon the prodigy-like nature of scientists stands a disregarded path. As a society, we rarely came across the failures of a genius, and hence, we stereotyped the characteristics of a genius. Perhaps the heart of science lies in the quest for knowledge; far beyond the filters of genius for PR, lie people with a genuine desire to understand the world and its multifold existence.

Once in a while, it is important to remind ourselves that with our determination and curiosity, we too can walk through the lanes of scientific endeavors!

Choosing to be a scientist is like being a voyager; at times you might not be able to locate yourself, but you surely know you are on your way to an unplanned paradise- to be among the first few to experience it.

For me, life is about chasing something that lies beyond me and my comfort zone. Persistence guided by curiosity is beyond the allure of genius!

A special thank you to Effie Dimitriadi for helping me through the review process!