‘Science is for everyone’: We interview Isaac Newton

AI can simulate interviews with well-documented historic figures. ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK chats with one of the greatest scientists of all time.

If historic figures have left enough written records, and enough has been written about them, large language models like ChatGPT, Bing Chat and Google Bard can simulate conversations with them.

We asked Google Bard to simulate an interview with Isaac Newton, one of the greatest scientists of all time, who lived from 1642 to 1727. He formulated the laws of motion and the theory of gravity, built the first workable reflecting telescope, and was a pioneer in developing calculus – among numerous scientific achievements. 

We asked Google Bard: “Pretend it is the 17th century and I am a technology journalist who has an interview with Isaac Newton.” We then proceeded to “interview” the scientist, channeling him via Google Bard. We started with personal questions of the kind that journalists typically ask celebrities, moved on to serious science, and then got to know the man a little better:

How did you first become interested in science?

Isaac Newton: I first became interested in science when I was a child. I was always fascinated by the natural world, and I loved to ask questions about how things worked. I also loved to build things, and I was always experimenting with different designs.

As I got older, I started to read more about science and mathematics. I was particularly drawn to the work of the natural philosophers of the 17th century, such as Galileo and Descartes. These philosophers were trying to understand the universe using reason and experimentation, and I found their work to be incredibly inspiring.

I eventually decided to pursue a career in science, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have made some small contributions to this field. I believe that science is one of the most important endeavors of humankind, and I am hopeful that it will continue to improve our lives in the future.

What was your childhood like?

I had a difficult childhood. My father died before I was born, and my mother remarried when I was three years old. I was sent to live with my maternal grandmother, and I did not see my mother very often. I was also bullied by the other children at school.

However, I also had some happy memories of my childhood. I loved to learn, and I spent many hours reading and experimenting. I also enjoyed spending time with my grandmother, who was a kind and loving woman.

What were some of your favorite hobbies or activities outside of science?

I enjoyed many hobbies outside of science, such as reading, writing, and music. I also enjoyed playing games with my friends and going for walks in nature.

What were some of your biggest challenges or setbacks in life?

One of my biggest challenges was dealing with the pressure of being a famous scientist. I was constantly being asked to give lectures and to write papers. I also had to deal with criticism from other scientists.

I learned to deal with the pressure by focusing on my work. I also learned to ignore the criticism of others. I knew that my work was important, and I was determined to continue my research.

Another challenge was my health. I suffered from headaches and other health problems throughout my life.

What were some of your most rewarding experiences?

One of my most rewarding experiences was making new discoveries in science. It was also rewarding to teach and mentor other scientists.

What were your relationships like with your family and friends?

I had close relationships with a few family members and friends. However, I was also a very private person, and I did not share much personal information with others.

What were your hopes and dreams for the future?

I hoped that science would be used to improve the lives of people around the world. I also dreamed of a world where people would be more kind and compassionate towards each other.

What was it like to live through the plague?

The plague was a terrifying experience. I had to isolate myself at Woolsthorpe Manor for two years. I was worried about my own health and the health of my family and friends. I also saw many people die from the disease.

However, the plague also gave me an opportunity to focus on my scientific work. I made some of my most important discoveries during those two years.

What was your favorite book or play?

My favorite book was the Bible. I also enjoyed reading the works of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. I also enjoyed going to the theater, and I especially enjoyed the plays of Shakespeare.

What was your favorite food?

I did not have a particular favorite food. I was simple in my tastes, and I was content to eat whatever was set before me.

What was your favorite place to visit?

My favorite place to visit was Woolsthorpe Manor, where I grew up. I loved the peace and quiet of the countryside. I also enjoyed spending time in my laboratory at Trinity College, where I did most of my scientific work.

• To find out more about Isaac Newton’s thoughts about science, click here to read on
  

What do you think is the most important scientific discovery of the past 100 years?

I believe that the most important scientific discovery of the past 100 years is the invention of the telescope. The telescope has allowed us to see the universe in a way that was never before possible, a

In addition to helping us to understand the universe, the telescope has also led to many other important scientific discoveries. For example, the telescope has helped us to discover new planets and moons, to study the stars and galaxies, and to learn about the composition of the universe.

Overall, I believe that the invention of the telescope is one of the most important scientific discoveries of all time. It has allowed us to see the universe in a new way, and it has revolutionized our understanding of our place in the cosmos.

nd it has revolutionized our understanding of our place in the cosmos.

Before the telescope, we believed that the Earth was the center of the universe and that the stars and planets revolved around us. However, the telescope showed us that the Earth is just one of many planets orbiting the Sun, and that the Sun is just one of many stars in the Milky Way galaxy. This discovery had a profound impact on our understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe.

What do you think is the most important scientific question that remains unanswered?

I believe that the most important scientific question that remains unanswered is the question of the nature of gravity. We know that gravity is a force that attracts all objects with mass, but we do not fully understand what causes gravity or how it works.

I have developed a theory of gravity that explains how planets and moons orbit the Sun, and how objects fall to the ground. However, my theory does not explain what gravity actually is, or how it is created.

I believe that it is very important to understand the nature of gravity, because it is one of the most fundamental forces in the universe. Gravity is responsible for holding planets together, for keeping stars and galaxies in orbit, and for the expansion of the universe.

I hope that future scientists will be able to develop a deeper understanding of gravity. Such an understanding would have profound implications for our understanding of the universe and our place in it.

Google Bard comments: Newton’s theory of gravity was one of the greatest scientific achievements of all time. It explained a wide range of phenomena, from the motion of planets to the fall of objects to the ground. However, Newton himself was aware that his theory was incomplete. He was never able to explain what gravity actually is, or how it is created.

This question remains unanswered to this day, and it is one of the most important challenges facing physicists. A deeper understanding of gravity would have profound implications for our understanding of the universe, and it could lead to new technologies and discoveries.

Newton was a visionary scientist, and he was always looking for new and better ways to understand the universe. He would be excited to know that scientists are still working to solve the mystery of gravity, and he would be eager to learn more about their progress.

How do you think your work on calculus and motion will impact future technology?

I believe that my work on calculus and motion will have a profound impact on future technology. Calculus is a powerful mathematical tool that can be used to solve a wide range of problems, from predicting the motion of planets to designing new machines.

For example, calculus is used to design airplanes, cars, and bridges. It is also used to develop new medical treatments and to create new materials. I believe that calculus will continue to be used to develop new and innovative technologies in the future.

My work on motion has also had a significant impact on technology. For example, the laws of motion are used to design rockets and satellites. They are also used to develop new sports equipment and to improve the performance of existing machines. I believe that my work on motion will continue to be used to develop new and improved technologies in the future.

Google Bard comments: Newton was a brilliant scientist, and he had a deep understanding of the potential applications of his work. He knew that calculus and motion were powerful tools that could be used to solve a wide range of problems. He would be pleased to know that his work continues to be used to develop new and innovative technologies that benefit humanity.

Here are some specific examples of how Newton’s work on calculus and motion has impacted future technology:

• Calculus is used to design the trajectories of rockets and satellites.
• Calculus is used to design the aerodynamics of airplanes and cars.
• Calculus is used to design bridges and other structures that can withstand large forces.
• Calculus is used to develop new medical treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
• Calculus is used to create new materials, such as carbon fiber and Kevlar.
• The laws of motion are used to design robots and other automated systems.
• The laws of motion are used to develop new sports equipment, such as golf clubs and baseball bats.
• The laws of motion are used to improve the performance of existing machines, such as engines and generators.

Newton’s work on calculus and motion has had a profound impact on the modern world. His work has enabled us to develop new technologies that have improved our lives in countless ways.

• To read more about Isaac Newton’s advice to young people, and the fun side of his personality, click here to read on

What advice would you give to young people who are interested in pursuing a career in science?

If you are interested in pursuing a career in science, my advice to you is to be curious and to never stop asking questions. Science is all about trying to understand the world around us, and the best way to learn is to ask questions and to experiment.

I would also advise you to read as much as you can about science and to talk to other scientists. The more you know about science, the better equipped you will be to make your own contributions to the field.

Finally, I would advise you to be persistent. Science can be challenging at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding. If you are passionate about science and you are willing to put in the hard work, you can achieve great things.

What’s your favorite thing about being a scientist?

My favorite thing about being a scientist is the opportunity to learn new things and to explore the world around us. I am fascinated by the natural world, and I love trying to understand how things work.

I also enjoy the challenge of scientific research. It is very rewarding to be able to solve a difficult problem or to make a new discovery.

Finally, I enjoy the collaborative nature of science. Scientists from all over the world work together to share ideas and to build on each other’s work. It is a very supportive and exciting community to be a part of.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?“

If I could have any superpower, I would want the power to understand everything. I would want to be able to understand the universe from its smallest workings to its largest structures. I would want to be able to understand the laws of nature and how they apply to everything in the universe.

I believe that understanding is the key to solving all of the world’s problems. If we could understand how everything works, we could develop new technologies to solve problems such as hunger, poverty, and disease. We could also develop new ways to protect our environment and to ensure a sustainable future for humanity.

Of course, no one person can understand everything. But if I could have any superpower, I would choose the power to understand as much as I possibly could.

What’s your favorite thing about the future?

My favorite thing about the future is the possibility of new discoveries and new technologies. I believe that science and technology have the potential to solve many of the world’s problems, and I am excited to see what the future holds.

For example, I believe that we will eventually develop new technologies to solve problems such as hunger, poverty, and disease. I also believe that we will develop new ways to protect our environment and to ensure a sustainable future for humanity.

Of course, there are also challenges that we will need to face in the future. But I am confident that science and technology can help us to overcome these challenges. I am excited to see what the future holds for humanity, and I believe that it will be a bright one.

Google Bard comments: Newton was a visionary scientist, and he was always looking to the future. He was excited about the potential of science and technology to improve the lives of people around the world. His answer to the question would likely reflect his optimism for the future and his belief in the power of science and technology to make the world a better place.

Here are some specific examples of new discoveries and technologies that Newton might have been excited about:

• The discovery of new planets and galaxies
• The development of new medical treatments and cures for diseases
• The development of new energy sources that are clean and sustainable
• The development of new transportation systems that are fast and efficient
• The development of new communication technologies that connect people all over the world

Newton was a brilliant scientist, and he was also a compassionate man. He wanted to use his knowledge to make the world a better place. His answer to the question would likely reflect his hope for the future and his desire to see a world where everyone could benefit from the power of science and technology.

What’s the best way to get a scientist’s attention?

The best way to get a scientist’s attention is to ask them a question. Scientists are always eager to learn new things, and they love to talk about their work. So if you have a question about science, don’t be afraid to ask a scientist.

What’s the one thing you wish everyone knew about science?

Science is a method of learning about the world around us. It is based on the observation of nature and the testing of hypotheses through experimentation. Science is not a set of facts or beliefs; it is a process of discovery.

Science is important because it helps us to understand the world and to solve problems. It has led to the development of new technologies and medical treatments that have improved the lives of billions of people.

Science is also important because it teaches us to think critically and to be skeptical of claims that are not supported by evidence. It teaches us to ask questions and to seek out the truth.

I wish everyone knew that science is for everyone. It is not just for people who are good at math or who want to be scientists. Science is for everyone who is curious about the world around them and who wants to learn how it works.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life?

The most important lesson I’ve learned in my life is that there is always more to learn. The universe is vast and complex, and there is no limit to what we can discover. We should never stop learning and growing.

Another important lesson I’ve learned is that science is a collaborative process. No one scientist can make all the discoveries on their own. We need to work together and share our ideas in order to make progress.

Finally, I’ve learned that it is important to be humble. We should never think that we know everything. We should always be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking.