Molecular Myths and Metaphors

Title:

Molecular Myths and Metaphors

Schedule:

Date: 29^th August 2023 (Tuesday)

Time: 5 - 6 pm (HKT)

Venue: Lecture Theatre T7, Ming Wah Complex

Speaker:

Prof. Dr. Jay S. Siegel

The School of Pharmaceutical Science at Tianjin 

Abstract: 

Organic chemists place a priority on simple models for structure/property relationships. The models often use appealing metaphors or create notions about “special” chemical effects. The allure of such imagery, especially when promoted by scientific celebrities, risks creating a community of believers based on a cult of personality. Untenable corollaries may then propagate and be hard to dispel from the literature, especially in an age where career success is driven by citation metrics and belonging to a tribe. This talk discusses how such metaphors and myths erode essential elements of scientific disbelief and influence new molecular designs, synthesis, and understanding.

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