The scientist archaetype represents the pinnacle of intelligence alone, and scientists in general span the gamut on all other measures of personality. Unfortunately, intelligence without the guidance of a truly self-determined personality and purpose is useless at best, destructive at worst.

How many people are there who grew up with visions of studying mammograms all day? As children, they were doubtless attracted to the ideal of being doctors and helping save people’s lives, but somewhere between their graduation and their entrance into the medical profession, their purposes were sidetracked and reshaped – by their own compliance.

I admit that I had no choice but to choose the lesser evil after I was shut out from my study of algorithms, but I at least ensured that if I had to compromise, the compromise would not fundamentally alter the meaning of my life – and so it hasn’t.

And thus I find interaction with the majority of other scientists at conferences and other gatherings less and less compelling with each opportunity. Mathematicians interest me. Philosophers interest me. Most scientists don’t anymore.