Why do we research - Conference Day 3

What is the point in being part of a research that has a more capitalistic approach than a humanistic approach? If we research and write papers just to build our profile and be among the brightest minds, or just to land in a job that makes our lives comfortable...or just to graduate with some sense of accomplishment, I think we seriously need to rethink our motives.

I wanted to start writing about events of day two, but they pale in significance to what I learnt at the end of day 3. On day 2 I listened to a lot of talks and got to meet a lot of new people, but I didn't learn the essence of being called great in your field.

Greatness is not about the volume of work you do. Greatness is not about how revered your work is in your field. It is about the difference your research makes in others lives. I'm not speaking in a capitalistic sense of the tone. Yes. Some one or the other will benefit from your research if it is substantial, but that should not be the extant of your accomplishments.

This is what I learnt from the final talk of the day, and it was not a technical talk. It was a eulogy about a great person, a great scientist Dr. Kane Kim. Listening about him from Dr. Bharat Bhargava was really the best talk of this conference. I have made some acquaintances, I got to know new people, but I am more than glad I have learnt something substantial. Something that will constantly drive me into having a clear conscience. I have always had this feeling, but never so profound.

Today, I am a nobody writing a blog after attending my first conference, but some day I hope I grow to a level where I make a significant difference in someone else's life. I hope to become a great person in my field, where people recognize me not just for my professional accomplishments, but in the true sense of the word.

Cheers to all the greatness that lies ahead for me to grab. Cheers to all the greatness that lies ahead of us. Cheers to great people.

Kashyap