Freeman Dyson

Why you should listen

From inventing Dyson Spheres, a sci-fi conceit postulating habitable shells around Sol-like stars, to "space chickens" and trees that grow in comets, Freeman Dyson was not afraid to go out on a cosmic limb. It would be wrong, however, to categorize him as a publicity-hungry peddler of headline-grabbing ideas. In his 60-year career as one of planet Earth's most distinguished scientists, several things characterize Dyson more than anything else: compassion, caution and overwhelming humanism.

In addition to his work as a scientist, Dyson was a renowned and best-selling author. His book A Many-Colored Glass tackles nothing less than biotechnology, religion and the role of life in the universe. He didn't not shy away from controversy; his critiques of the politics of the global warming debate raised the hackles of some environmentalists. But far from wielding his conclusions like a bludgeon, Dyson wanted younger generations of scientists to take away one thing from his work -- the necessity to create heresies of their own.

What others say

“What sets Dyson apart among an elite group of scientists is the conscience and compassion he brings to his work” — Kristi Coale, Salon.com