Astonish me, young man!

Astonish me, young man! Stephen Sciama [Sciama is telling Stephen off but also challenging him) (quite strongly) Science isn't theatre. (defending himself) It needed to be said... (still critical) In that way...? (more gently, but firmly) How long has it been, since you started with me? (evading his question) You don't like the idea of me attacking steady state theory... (tartly) You didn't answer my question. (trying to defend himself...) ...because you're a steady state man yourself.... (somewhat strict; ignoring Stephen) OK, I'll answer it for you: twelve months. (still pursuing his argument...) So the idea of me attacking the steady state theory... (quite aggressively and to make a point) My father ran a cotton mill. When I was twenty-one, I told him I wanted to be a physicist. (with emphasis) He hated the idea. (continuing the story...) He wanted me to take over the business from him. So he told me that I couldn't be a physicist unless I got a fellowship to pay for it. "He thought I wouldn't get it. He thought I would buckle. And I worked like a dog... " (not understanding the point) What does this have to do with me attacking steady state...? (very passionately) I know what it is like to have obstacles in your path. I know what it's like to be told you can't do something. (more gently) That's why I became a teacher. (more passionately...) I would never, ever stop a student of mine from pursuing something because I didn't agree with their opinion. Never. (quite forcefully: issuing a challenge...) I know you can do more than make brilliant attacks on others. Do something! All of your own. Be original....! Stephen Jane (encouraging him) Go on. The Penrose lecture at London, it's alright. Go, now! Work!