Behave Quote by Hanya Yanagihara
“I wanted to write about the time when science became modern, around the 1950s. Right after physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, science started being so politicized and used as such a political weapon. When my father, who is a scientist, tells me about those years, I get a competing portrait of people who were expected to behave normally and be decent respectable members of society and who were also allowed this freedom to think in big and expansive ways. Now, when you think about people who work in labs, they're allowed to be socially inept in a very fundamental way.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Reflections on Post‑War Science, 1950s, 2023
The quote contrasts the idealized, respectable image of scientists with the reality of their political entanglements and social eccentricities in the mid‑20th century.
In simple terms: Scientists were expected to be respectable yet often became politicized and socially unconventional.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the dual nature of scientific roles.
Themes
science
politics
identity
social norms
history
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- government policy
- public perception
- career development
Key Concepts
Cold War
scientific ethics
personal freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- How does political context shape scientific work?
- Can professionalism coexist with eccentricity?
A Different Perspective
The narrative may overgeneralize scientists’ behavior; not all faced political pressure.
![“Any politician or scientist who tells you these [GMO] products are safe is either very stupid or lying.” quote by David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8d0/david-suzuki-1744_gmos_any-politician-or-scientist-who-tells-yo_1335774.jpg)
