David Biello at the Scientific American offers his reasons for doubt. First, while Archimedes left behind copious records about his wide and varied work, he never mentioned this episode. The earliest source for this story is the Roman writer Vitruvius—almost 200 years after Archimedes died tragically. Many geeks think the scientist was smart enough to find a method superior to buoyancy. As a Charlotte Mason educator, I scanned Plutarch, who discussed this brilliant man in the life of Marcellus. The biographer addressed his military machines, his work in geometry, three different stories about his senseless death, and even the inscription on his grave, but not the Eureka moment.
What is the grain of truth? Captain ideas come to me in quiet moments, usually when I'm taking a shower, which is the creative sweet spot for many.
Where are you when captain ideas surface?
butterfly.pdf |