Taylor Wilson is the world's youngest nuclear scientist. He constructed a working nuclear fusion reactor in his home at the age of 14. Since then he built radiation detectors at the age of 17 for Homeland Security which cost 100s of dollars. The reason that this is so significant is that the previous detectors that they had cost 100s of thousands of dollars. He later presented these detectors and the research that he did with Homeland Security to President Barack Obama. Upon first hearing all of this, I was amazed. I found it hard to believe that a kid could not only build, but successfully build a nuclear fusion reactor at age 14. Just the fact that it is a fusion reactor is simply amazing in that fusion reactors have not been perfected for use as an energy source. All of the nuclear power plants in use are fission reactors. I know that personally, I would have no idea where to begin to build a fusion reactor.
But what does this have to do with rhetoric or civic engagement? I think a kid like this can and will persuade other kids to take the initiative to follow their dreams just like Wilson. He is an example for kids throughout the world that you do not have to be above a certain age in order to do something amazing and make a difference in the world. I think in this sense, Wilson is able to promote civic engagement in our youth.
I don't know about you, but hearing stories of success of kids is always very inspiring in my opinion. It makes me personally want to strive to do more with my life. There is always more that you can do to better your chances of doing something great with your life and kids like Taylor are the reason that I have come to realize that. Do you feel that stories like this have a strong effect on you as well?
This definitely blows my mind. I share the same sentiment as you in that I find it extremely motivating. I also find it very encouraging. Our generation, and certainly the generation below us, often gets a bad rap. Hopefully more people like Taylor will help people see that we still have amazing potential.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this is both amazing and ridiculous at the same time. These kinds of stories leave me feeling incredibly lazy for not having invented or built something that incredible. When I was 14 I was just hanging out with my friends and playing basketball, not building nuclear reactors. However, that feeling leads into motivating me to actually do something. So, while there aren't a whole lot of Taylors out there, there are a lot of kids who are doing really unique things that deserve to be heard of and talked about.
ReplyDeleteThere are always rare stories like this one of kids accomplishing amazing feats, if it is nuclear energy or playing Beethoven's Fifth at the age of five. With the resources available today, it almost seems like anything is possible by any person no matter how old or how young. After watching a few online piano lessons, I taught myself how to play some simple songs, something that I couldn't have done so easily ten years ago.
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