John Wheeler - Bohr's critiques (29/130)

2,852 views · Published 9 October 2017 · 0:53 · Indexed 22 September 2026

Channel: Web of Stories - Life Stories of Remarkable People · 2017 · Science & Technology

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American physicist, John Wheeler (1911-2008), made seminal contributions to the theories of quantum gravity and nuclear fission, but is best known for coining the term 'black holes'. A keen teacher and mentor, he was also a key figure in the Manhattan Project. [Listener: Ken Ford]

TRANSCRIPT: I would say Bohr was regarded as somebody who rarely passed judgment, although you had to be a little careful when a report had been finished at his seminar, and somebody would ask Bohr what his opinion was. He would say "Beautiful" - well, that meant "OK". If he said "Significant" - well, that was the beginning of praise. But he was always very careful about not criticizing.

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