Rat, squirrel and pig, all are scientists at birth

Man is a scientist by birth. Why, man alone, all life forms on earth are, from birth to death lives like scientist, exploring the world, experimenting, inventing and discovering various things in nature. People should know that man was born as a scientist than an advocate or an engineer, a teacher or a doctor or a MBA graduate. All other things, man has become only after he became a scientist.

Interestingly, all life forms, whether it is an invisible microbe or the giant whale in the sea, are indeed scientists when born. Both the 'precocial' and 'altricial' young ones tries to explore the world from the moment they are born. The curiosity to know, to find and discover many things only drive them to have a 'successful survival'. If the animals did not have the inborn curiosity in them, they may not find success in life or will have to live a life not worth living.

Then, what differentiate man from other animals? Man alone continues his scientific enquiry beyond the space of his basic needs, whereas all animals appear to limit their scientific astuteness just to meet their basic needs. When a chimpanzee uses sticks to gather termites from its mound, it limits its tool using intelligence only to gather termites. It does not use its intelligence of tool using beyond the space of capturing termites. If chimpanzee had ever tried its intelligence beyond, it would have become either superior or equal to man today.

All animals except man, are limiting their talents just to meet their basic existential needs and none of them are extending or expanding the same beyond the gamut of 'just existence'.

The man alone had reached the premises, beyond the 'space, time, and continuum' and has become a 'man'. Only because of the 'scientist' in him, biologic species- Homo sapiens has become 'human' and later becomes an engineer, advocate, MBA graduate, doctor, civil servant etc.

The important message, the corporate man must derive from the above is that one can live and use ones scientific capabilities just to meet the basic needs and can remain like an animal in the corporate jungle, with life full of fear and anxiety. Or else, one can become a 'man' in the corporate world, explore, experiment, discover and invent a 'new' world' to live successfully.

The second important message is that one must 'use' and 'apply' science (research acumen) in all walks of life and only with scientific approach, one can define and refine success. An advocate also is doing research on various judgments in order to invent or discover a new interpretation of law to win the suite.

Unless the essence of their very creation is well understood, the people in corporate, despite having all fully developed sense organs, will have to live like 'born deaf, blind and mute' life form.

Re-discover the scientist in you, discover your world and invent many things for you and others and be successful.

Dr S Ranganathan
ClinRise Derma Pvt., Ltd., Chennai