1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 233 I only know a little about evolution

Li Qiwei, who was talking about evolution with Wilson, turned around and found that the other person was a middle-aged man.

He has a typical British look and is very gentlemanly.

Li Qiwei was puzzled. He had never seen this person before, but the other party seemed to know him.

"Hello sir."

"Excuse me, who are you?"

Even though Li Qiwei didn't know him, the visitor didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled and said, "Hello, Professor Bruce. My name is Bateson."

Li Qiwei had no impression, but Wilson was very excited.

"Wow, aren't you the first professor of genetics appointed by Cambridge University in 1908?"

Bateson smiled and said, "That's me."

Only then did Li Qiwei remember who the big boss in front of him was.

Bateson is commonly known as "Bear Grylls".

It was this man who coined the term "genetics".

He inherited and developed Mendel's experiments and perfected them into a science, namely genetics.

When Mendel published his paper, he did not propose a theoretical system of genetics and the various terms required.

Based on Mendel's theory, Bateson made various genetic processes scientific and used specialized terminology.

For example, homozygous, heterozygous, etc.

Since then, genetics has become a systematic science.

After Bateson became a professor at Cambridge University, he founded the genetics school, so it can also be said that genetics emerged and developed in Britain.

If Darwin is the Newton of life sciences, then Bateson is the Planck.

So, this is a top boss in the industry.

Ridgway responded: "Hello, Professor Bateson."

"Excuse me, I don't think we have ever met. I don't know how you know me."

Bateson smiled and said, “Professor Bruce, I have often heard your stories since I came to Cambridge.”

"My son is also a physics major, and he often tells me how much he admires you."

"And I also graduated from Cambridge University for my undergraduate degree, so I am even more interested in you."

"If it was someone else, I wouldn't have recognized him."

"But Professor Bruce, you are still easy to identify."

After saying this, Bateson smiled secretly.

Li Qiwei suddenly realized, oh, he almost forgot this.

He was a Qing citizen, standing here, chatting and laughing with Wilson.

Anyone with a normal brain should know that he is the famous Bruce.

"Maybe I was distracted by the noise at today's meeting and my thoughts are all messed up."

Bateson laughed and said, "Professor Bruce, no matter how confused you are, your brains are better than ours."

Ridgway and Wilson laughed.

Bateson, who looks to be in his 50s, is surprisingly humorous and has a very young mentality.

"Call me Bruce, Bateson."

Bateson smiled and said, "It's great to meet you, Bruce."

"Me too, Bateson."

Then, Li Qiwei introduced Wilson to the other party.

I didn't expect that all of you are from Cambridge University.

As a result, the communication became more joyful.

More connections, more paths.

Professors need more high-end connections, as they may need them someday when their children or relatives come into contact with them.

This is also why professors are keen to attend conferences.

At this time, Bateson said: "Bruce, I just heard you talking to Wilson, and it seems that you are very interested in the theory of evolution."

"Have you also paid attention to the progress in the field of life sciences?"

Bateson looked at Ridgway with great anticipation. If a physics master like him switched to life sciences, he would definitely be a killer.

After all, life sciences and liberal arts in this era are similar.

The humanities are about finding literature and then summarizing it.

Life science is about conducting experiments, recording the results, and then summarizing them.

There is no essential difference between the two, and there is no need for any mathematical logic.

Mendel's use of simple statistics and mathematical analysis was decades ahead of his time.

One can imagine the scientific level of scholars in the field of life sciences at that time.

If a physicist were to do the lab, he would definitely have a deeper understanding of the results.

Of course, this is all Bateson's imagination.

At that time, physicists looked down on even chemistry, let alone biology, which was even inferior to chemistry.

Of course, Ridgwell had the experience of later generations, and he knew that all natural sciences were equally important.

Although physics is the source of all sciences, it is not as convenient as imagined when explaining certain problems.

"Bateson, it's a long story."

“Since I returned to China in 1903, I have been committed to the development of domestic education.”

"You know, my country is still relatively backward, and there is nothing in the field of natural sciences."

“So after I returned to China, I mainly helped the country improve its construction and foundation in natural sciences.”

“In addition to establishing several public universities across the country, I also founded a private university myself.”

“In my capacity as university president, I also serve as a lecturer at the School of Life Sciences.”

Bateson was immediately filled with respect. He believed that Ridgway was willing to return to serve his country even though he had better options, which was a manifestation of his noble qualities.

Such scientists deserve more respect. Li Qiwei continued: "But I don't understand life sciences either."

"Don't laugh at me, but before I returned to China I only knew a few simple terms like evolution and natural selection."

Bateson smiled and said, "Bruce, don't belittle yourself. I only know the two terms relativity and quantum theory."

The three of them laughed.

"But even so, I am already one of the top biological talents in our country."

"So in order not to mislead the students, I started to teach myself about life sciences."

"I asked someone to buy a lot of books and papers, and then I devoted myself to studying them."

"Somehow, I seem to have a talent for life sciences. The more I learn, the more interested I become."

"In this process, I understood Darwin's core ideas and discovered the interesting aspects of Mendel's experiments."

"The hereditary factors he proposed, oh, now they are called genes, right? I think this concept is very meaningful."

“I personally think it’s a pretty genius idea.”

At this moment, Bateson suddenly exclaimed.

"Oh my God, Bruce, you know Mendel."

"You even know the word gene?"

"That was an improved term proposed by Professor Johnson only last year."

"It is now generally accepted in the academic community that genes can be used to replace hereditary factors."

"Based on this alone, you are more professional than even the average biologist."

Bateson was extremely shocked. Is this the strength of the world's top physicist? It was so terrifying.

The other party can understand life science so thoroughly by just spending a little time.

On the other hand, for those biologists like them, wanting to understand the most cutting-edge physics is simply a fantasy.

Without a certain level of mathematical ability, they can't even understand the paper.

Thinking of this, he could only smile bitterly.

Comparing people to each other makes people angry!
Li Qiwei was very satisfied with his ability to fool people and gave himself a thumbs up.

He had to find a convincing reason to prove that he knew chemistry and biology.

There is no one in this world who is born understanding.

Therefore, everything must stand up to scrutiny. Even if the process is flawed, at least people will not doubt his identity.

"Bateson, don't ever talk about me like that."

"I only know a little bit about the theory of evolution. In front of you, I am just showing off my knowledge."

"When it comes to evolution and genetics, you're the expert."

"I'm just figuring it out on my own."

Bateson has now placed Ridgeway in a higher position.

At first, he thought that the other party had a high status in the field of physics and was a master.

But Bateson was not bad either, and even pioneered the discipline of genetics.

In some ways, this is as important as Ridgway's theory of relativity.

Therefore, Bateson considered himself and Ridgway to be equal.

However, the conversation just now made him deeply understand the terrifying nature of the man in front of him.

Bateson didn't believe at all that Ridgway said it was just a casual study.

Considering the other person's identity, since he dares to say it, it means he must have a deep understanding.

At least no worse than an ordinary biologist.

Thinking of this, Bateson suddenly chuckled, thinking that maybe he could get something out of Li Qiwei.

He knew about the first Bruce Conference that caused a sensation in the scientific community last year.

It is this man in front of us who has opened up countless directions for physics.

It is also rumored in academia that Bruce possesses god-like prophetic abilities.

His physical intuition, and even his scientific intuition, are extremely terrifying.

Very accurate!
Otherwise, it would not have made such a great contribution to the artificial synthesis of ammonia.

Therefore, Bateson wanted to persuade Ridgway to give a speech, preferably to express his views on evolution and genetics.

"Oh, Bruce, I was so busy chatting here that I almost forgot about the business."

"There are so many people here, it's not convenient to discuss."

"How about you two come with me to the VIP seats, where it's quieter and closer to the speaker."

"Besides, I have some good friends there and we can discuss it together."

Li Qiwei looked at Wilson, who didn't care. It would be the same no matter where the meeting took place.

As for the physics session, given their status, it would be better for them not to go.

It's a pity that because of the shortage of VIP seats, Thompson directly excluded Li Qiwei and Wilson.

We are all family, so don't be picky, just be patient.

As expected, the first ones to suffer misfortune are always our own people.

"Okay, Bateson, thank you very much. I'm quite interested in life sciences."

"Learn more so that it will be easier for you to return to your country and teach in the future."

The three of them laughed.

After a while, Bateson brought Ridgway and Wilson to the platform on Francis' side.

The VIP seats were indeed comfortable.

There are fewer people and the view is better, so you can see the entire audience at a glance and no longer have to endure the unpleasant smell of sweat, stinky feet, perfume, etc.

Moreover, the people sitting on the stage are basically experts and scholars in various fields. While communicating, everyone can also expand their network.

At this time, Bateson introduced Ridgway and Wilson to several people in the back seats.

(End of this chapter)