Could he have done more as a scientist than a diplomat?

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 15 Feb 2021, 01:51

OBC Reviewer wrote: ↑14 Feb 2021, 21:30 I think, when comes to this topic, I too think alike you. When I look at the scientific breakthroughs that he found in his short career in the field of science, I can't imagine what else he could have found or invented that could have made the world much better place. It is true that based on his projects many other developments have happened later. But such a genius mind should not have been wasted on a subject like diplomacy which is, according to my opinion, only a way for the powerful countries to control the world

I am glad to find someone who thinks alike. I too think the same regarding diplomacy. When we consider the history as well as today's politics, it is merely a playground for the powerful countries to achieve their goals. Seemingly Dr. Berrah has, either knowingly or unknowingly, been a player in this arena. So it is doubtful whether he could do exactly what he wanted to bring peace to the world. If he remained in the field of science, atleast he could have done what he himself thought what would be better for the world, without doing the bidding of some supreme power

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 15 Feb 2021, 01:54

Nonny2208 wrote: ↑14 Feb 2021, 21:41 I think accomplishment is a personal thing. To some others, his attempt on achieving world peace may have great impact on them thereby helping them find peace, but I feel personally that he could have done more as a scientist.

I am glad to hear such an opinion. Yes it is true that there might be people who feel that Dr. Berrah did a great job for the peace for their countries. Dr. Berrah he himself might have believed that he did a great job for the world peace. Yet, when we look at it more objectively, if he remained in science and continued his work, atleast his work would have been more persistent, unlike world peace which is quite volatile and unreliable

Saint Bruno · Post by **Saint Bruno** » 15 Feb 2021, 02:12

Sushan wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021, 00:33
Saint Bruno wrote: ↑14 Feb 2021, 16:19 I think both vocations are relevant. However, a professor who resigns from research and academics is obviously interested in politics. We need people who have his kind of innovative mind to be in such positions, so I can't say he would have done the world better good if he remained in his old job.
It is true that those who are in politics should have a good intelligence as well as an innovative mind, though we don't see those qualities from those who are currently in politics. But what I see is, for various reasons, many people get into politics. So there is no vacuum in the field of politics for its various positions. But in the field of science, it doesn't matter how many are involved in the research field since every brain matters their. So I believe that Dr. Berrah should have remained in the field of science and then he could have done a better service to the world

I understand what you are saying. Other people can still fill the diplomat position and do well, but it won't be that easy to find someone to be that innovative in science. Nice deliberations.

rachna_r · Post by **rachna_r** » 15 Feb 2021, 08:22

All that matters is what he wanted. He might have felt more fulfilling with being a diplomat.
But I believe he could have done better if he had chosen not to become a diplomat because he was already outdoing in his field. Choosing to become a diplomat was for a noble cause but it didn't repay him as much. And world peace is the most complex thing to step into. Practically it is foolish.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 15 Feb 2021, 11:50

itsrachna wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021, 08:22 All that matters is what he wanted. He might have felt more fulfilling with being a diplomat.
But I believe he could have done better if he had chosen not to become a diplomat because he was already outdoing in his field. Choosing to become a diplomat was for a noble cause but it didn't repay him as much. And world peace is the most complex thing to step into. Practically it is foolish.

I too think the same. As you have quite boldly mentioned, I too believe that attempts on world peace or diplomacy or whatever the word they say, it is a foolish thing. More or less it is a fraudulent thing.

I too think that he could have stayed in the field of science and that would have been a better service for the humankind than what he could do in the field of diplomacy. Who knows, maybe he might have actually regretted about his decision later

RachelEmmanuel · Post by **RachelEmmanuel** » 15 Feb 2021, 22:22

I don't think any one can really know what could have happened on the path not taken. Berrah achieved more in his life than most people and did what he felt led to do with his life. We have to respect that.

Barbie_sidhu · Post by **Barbie_sidhu** » 16 Feb 2021, 01:13

Dr. Berrah could have been a great scientist, but it does not mean he failed as a Diplomat. His whole life is filled with different phases. He might not have caught the fame he received as a diplomat if he were scientist. I think as a Diplomat too his work was praiseworthy.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 16 Feb 2021, 02:11

RachelEmmanuel wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021, 22:22 I don't think any one can really know what could have happened on the path not taken. Berrah achieved more in his life than most people and did what he felt led to do with his life. We have to respect that.

Definitely we have to respect what he accomplished and what he did for the society. But I have raised this question out of curiosity. And as per my opinion, diplomacy is a waste of time since most of the results that are gained last only for a short period. When I consider Dr. Berrah's efforts, what I feel is that time he spent on diplomatic missions, if he could have spent that on scientific researches, the gain could have been much better. What do you think?

Betty Gitonga · Post by **Betty Gitonga** » 16 Feb 2021, 03:39

Although successful in the field of science, he did not find fulfillment in it. His passion, I believe, was always to serve and establish peace through diplomacy.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 16 Feb 2021, 05:47

Barbie_sidhu wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 01:13 Dr. Berrah could have been a great scientist, but it does not mean he failed as a Diplomat. His whole life is filled with different phases. He might not have caught the fame he received as a diplomat if he were scientist. I think as a Diplomat too his work was praiseworthy.

I don't say he failed in either of the fields. It is true that he gained his fame from the diplomatic missions.

But what I see is, though he truly did his maximum for his diplomatic missions, the involved countries or the parties have not tried their best to retain what Dr. Berrah achieved. That is why I see that time he spent on such missions as a waste.

But if he worked continously in the field of science, he might have done wonders and his followers could have developed his work for further extents, which cannot be practiced in diplomacy

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 16 Feb 2021, 05:50

Betty Gitonga wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 03:39 Although successful in the field of science, he did not find fulfillment in it. His passion, I believe, was always to serve and establish peace through diplomacy.

We understand that his passion was towards diplomacy by what he has said in his book. Then why he chose science at the first place without going to a field related to diplomacy. The reason for why he became a diplomat has to be researched thoroughly, as I see.

When considering the breakthroughs that he have performed in the field of science, he could have done many more if he remained there. Maybe he could have developed a passion towards science with his accomplishments and by seeing how his work making the world a better place

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 16 Feb 2021, 11:57

If he wasn't enthusiastic anymore about his scientific career, he probably would not have achieved many more breakthroughs. However, in general, I believe that scientists are more important to society than diplomats/politicians.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 16 Feb 2021, 12:10

Yvonne Monique wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 11:57 If he wasn't enthusiastic anymore about his scientific career, he probably would not have achieved many more breakthroughs. However, in general, I believe that scientists are more important to society than diplomats/politicians.

Your point is valid. If he had no more enthusiasm in science, then we cannot expect any more breakthroughs from him.

And your second point goes hand in hand with my opinions. I think the same. I don't say that diplomacy is unnecessary. But most of the times it is just a waste of time and money. But science can do more good (it is true that it can cause harm as well) to the world than diplomacy

Upeksha · Post by **Upeksha** » 16 Feb 2021, 13:43

Betty Gitonga wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 03:39 Although successful in the field of science, he did not find fulfillment in it. His passion, I believe, was always to serve and establish peace through diplomacy.

I also agree with you. Besides we cannot question his decision, because it's his choice, after all. I think it's better for him to choose the suitable career according to his desire.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 16 Feb 2021, 19:55

Upeksha wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 13:43
Betty Gitonga wrote: ↑16 Feb 2021, 03:39 Although successful in the field of science, he did not find fulfillment in it. His passion, I believe, was always to serve and establish peace through diplomacy.
I also agree with you. Besides we cannot question his decision, because it's his choice, after all. I think it's better for him to choose the suitable career according to his desire.

It is true that we cannot question other people's decisions, since it is their right to choose whatever they want. Maybe Dr. Berrah got contented with diplomatic work more than what he got in the field of scientific research.

But what I raise as a question is, could he do a great service as a diplomat, in proportion to the effort that he put into it? If he spent the same time and put the same effort for science, couldn't he have done more to the world? Anyway, the desire and the passion for whatever you do is also an important factor that determines the outcome.