Uri Alon: Why truly innovative science demands a leap into the unknown

Summary

The speaker shares their personal experience navigating the challenges of scientific research, highlighting the emotional and psychological struggles faced during the process. They describe the 'cloud'—a metaphor for the confusing and frustrating moments when assumptions no longer hold—and emphasize the importance of support, creativity, and resilience. Drawing from improvisational theater, they teach students to embrace uncertainty, collaborate, and use a mindset of 'Yes, and' to unlock creativity. The speaker advocates for a cultural shift in science, encouraging openness about the emotional aspects of research to foster creativity and more impactful discoveries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The research process is unpredictable and often leads to feelings of frustration and being 'stuck' in what is called 'the cloud.'
• 😀 Research in science is not a straightforward path from question (A) to answer (B); it involves navigating through uncertainty and failure.
• 😀 The 'cloud' represents the point in research where basic assumptions fail, and new, unexpected solutions (C) may emerge with enough support and persistence.
• 😀 Improvisation theater can provide valuable insights into the creative process of science by teaching how to navigate uncertainty and failure with humor and openness.
• 😀 Scientists often face emotional and subjective challenges that are not typically discussed in scientific culture, but acknowledging them can improve creativity and mental well-being.
• 😀 Saying 'Yes, and' in both improvisation and science helps foster collaboration and creativity, encouraging scientists to build on each other's ideas instead of rejecting them.
• 😀 Cognitive dissonance arises when your expectations (schemas) don't match reality, causing stress, but understanding this process can help you manage it more effectively.
• 😀 Students and scientists alike benefit from knowing that getting stuck is normal and part of the research journey, and it can lead to new insights if navigated properly.
• 😀 The emotional aspects of research—such as fear and despair—can limit creativity, but support from others and a positive mindset can help scientists push through difficult periods.
• 😀 There is a cultural myth that science is entirely objective and rational, but acknowledging the subjective and emotional side of research can make science more human and effective.
• 😀 By sharing the emotional and subjective challenges of research openly, scientists can reduce feelings of isolation and increase their collective creativity and discovery.

Q & A

What is the central concept of 'the cloud' in the speaker's research?

The 'cloud' refers to the period of uncertainty and difficulty in research where experiments don't work, assumptions stop making sense, and the researcher feels lost. It's a necessary part of the process in scientific discovery, representing the boundary between the known and the unknown.

How does the speaker relate improvisation theater to the research process?

Improvisation theater is used as a metaphor for research, where both involve stepping into the unknown without a clear script or plan. The speaker connects this idea with staying creative in the face of failure and being open to unexpected paths, much like actors must react in real-time to unforeseen developments on stage.

Why does the speaker emphasize the emotional and subjective aspects of doing science?

The speaker highlights that science is often taught as purely objective and rational, but the emotional and subjective challenges of research are equally important. Acknowledging these aspects helps reduce the stigma surrounding failure and allows for a more creative and supportive environment in research.

What role does 'Yes, and' play in both improvisation and science?

'Yes, and' is a key principle of improvisation, where participants accept and build upon each other's ideas. In the context of science, it encourages researchers to be open to each other's suggestions, fostering creativity and collaboration instead of shutting down ideas prematurely.

How does the speaker define 'cognitive dissonance' and its impact on researchers?

Cognitive dissonance occurs when there is a mismatch between one's mental expectations (schema) and reality. In research, this can lead to stress and frustration when experiments don’t work as planned, making it harder to stay creative. The speaker argues that understanding the cloud can help alleviate this stress.

What does the speaker mean by 'the boundary between the known and the unknown'?

The boundary between the known and the unknown represents the point where new scientific discoveries are made. To reach this boundary, researchers must challenge their basic assumptions, which can be uncomfortable, but it is essential for making breakthroughs.

How does the concept of 'the cloud' affect the speaker's approach to mentoring?

The speaker uses the concept of 'the cloud' to help mentor students through difficult moments in research. By acknowledging that failure and frustration are part of the process, the speaker is able to offer support and guide students through their own struggles, fostering a more resilient and creative mindset.

What was the significance of the discovery of 'network motifs' in the speaker's research?

The discovery of 'network motifs' — simple, repeating interaction patterns in biochemical networks — was a breakthrough that helped explain how cells make decisions. This discovery was made possible through a playful, creative approach in the lab, inspired by the principles of improvisation.

How does the speaker view the relationship between fear, creativity, and support in research?

The speaker emphasizes that fear and stress can limit creativity by narrowing the mind to safe, conservative paths. To overcome this, support from mentors and peers is crucial. Positive emotions such as hope and solidarity help researchers stay creative and navigate through difficult phases of the research process.

What is the speaker's vision for the future of science?

The speaker envisions a future where scientists are not only familiar with objective knowledge but also with terms like 'the cloud' and 'Yes, and.' This would create a more supportive and creative environment in science, leading to more unexpected discoveries and a more playful approach to research.