Missed Opportunities
Do we ever really realize what is going on around us? Can we ever truly understand the weight of a situation when we're in it?
I'm watching a History Channel documentary called "Beyond the Big Bang," and in one instant am shown an interview with this elderly scientist named Ralph Alfer, who gives a sound byte about a scientist named Hoyle. It isn't an astonishingly revealing sound clip, nor is it anything anyone else couldn't have said, but it obviously displays that the History Channel was able to get an interview with Ralph Alfer. 74 seconds later, a young scientist by the name of Brian Greene is discussing Hoyle, and explaining how Hoyle himself wasn't really a mathematician, and depended upon "this phenomenally talented graduate student of his, Ralph Alfer..."
Before seeing the post-production version of the documentary, was Greene even aware that the History Channel was in touch with Alfer? This is obviously a hero of Greene's. Were the two introduced? Did Greene ever have the chance to meet Alfer? If so, was he able to accurately express to Alfer the extent of his admiration for the man's work? Or was he left unaware of his proximity to this hero until after the History Channel had released Alfer from his conversational duties?
1 comment:
If Greene did not meet Alfer before or during the production, I hope he made sure he did later. As I was watching the show I was wondering if Mr. Alfer was around and how it would be an absolutely breathtaking honor to be able to meet and talk to him. I briefly looked on the net but couldn't locate any info as yet. Any idea? Thanks for your post. -Robyn
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