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Having dealt with a wide range of great to a-hole scientists, I think you're subtly onto something here.

Great scientists propagate through having a strong lineage. They effectively train, nurture, and then spin out more great scientists. The a-holes drive their progeny away from science. They effectively kill their own future. The great scientists end up promoting and extending their work through their academic children and grandchildren. I've seen both patterns up close and personally.

The big difference with investors is where academic progeny are closely related, usually in one field, investors are challenged by investing in closely aligned companies, given the many conflicts of interest. That's not to say an investor can't have a sector bias. But even companies close to one another are unlikely to benefit from each other.




Quote from Prof. Donald Sadoway

"The point of University professors is to take graduate students and create new professors."

Great barn storming Ted performance, highly recommend just taking 15 mins or so for it.

http://www.ted.com/talks/donald_sadoway_the_missing_link_to_...




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