novelSusiti Chapter 110 The Ultimate Social Anxiety Cavendish
Chapter 110 The Ultimate Social Anxiety Cavendish
Chapter 110 The Ultimate Social Anxiety Cavendish (Third Update, Please Subscribe!)
Since John Hadley knew Chen Wenbin, the old count introduced another middle-aged man with brown hair.
"—Robin, this is Mr. John Canton. He has verified Mr. Franklin's views on the nature of lightning. Recently, he has been studying whether water can be compressed."
Robin, he's also very interested in your electromagnetic theory and the Robin Battery. Isn't your Robin Science Academy recruiting professors?
I think John would be perfect for the job!
The brown-haired middle-aged man seemed a little nervous. As soon as the old count finished speaking, he hurriedly said, "Sir Robin, your electromagnetic field theory is truly wonderful! I believe it is the truth about electricity and magnetism!"
And then there's the Robin Battery you announced—this continuously powered battery has greatly solved my problem—all the scholars researching electricity are grateful for your invention!
Chen Wenbin shrugged and said, "I just hope they stop using my batteries to electrocute frogs and corpses!"
Because that can't bring the dead back to life!
Everyone laughed upon hearing this.
In recent days, in order to explain why the Robin Battery could not possibly revive a corpse, Chen Wenbin has published several articles in the newspaper to clarify the matter—because some church pastors have already said that such behavior is blasphemous to God.
After they finished laughing, Chen Wenbin said to John Canton, "Mr. Canton, I am planning to build a systematic electromagnetic theory and conduct related experiments. If you are willing, you are welcome to join my research institute!"
Upon receiving the invitation from Chen Wenbin, John Canton was overjoyed and immediately replied, "Of course! Of course, I would be happy to be your assistant!"
The others didn't take it seriously, but Franklin nodded to his old friend.
John Canton came from a similar background to Franklin, both from the lower rungs of society. Franklin's father was a dyer and soap merchant, while Canton's father was a weaver in Gloucestershire.
His achievements, including becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society, are entirely self-taught. Furthermore, his verification of Franklin's prediction about the nature of lightning further solidified the extraordinary relationship between the two.
The reason he's here today is because Franklin knows Chen Wenbin's research institute is hiring, so he's taking this opportunity to help his old friend get a good job and earn more money.
Not all Fellows of the Royal Society are wealthy. For example, John Canton had little savings and worked as a teacher at a private school in London. He didn't even own an apartment in London, and his salary was only enough to allow his family to maintain a relatively decent life.
Chen Wenbin could tell that he was here to look for a job, but someone who could become a Fellow of the Royal Society on his own merits must be quite capable, so of course he would take him on.
Then the old count pointed to Curly Hair, who was sitting opposite Chen Wenbin and seemed ten times more nervous than John Canton, and introduced him to Chen Wenbin: "This is Mr. Henry Cavendish."
He works in his father's lab and heard you were going to the party today, so he was waiting for you.
Henry Cavendish?
Chen Wenbin sized up the curly-haired man who looked extremely socially awkward and thought to himself, "This guy is quite famous!"
This man was the first to measure the Earth's mass and density!
He tentatively asked, "Hello, Mr. Cavendish, what area of research are you currently working on?"
His words seemed to have flipped a switch, and the curly-haired man immediately replied mechanically, "Hello! Dr. Robin! I admire your theory of batteries! No! Not batteries! I admire your electromagnetic theory!"
After he finished speaking with a flushed face, he stood up abruptly, whispered an apology, and then ran away!
They just ran away!!
Chen Wenbin turned his head in astonishment to look at the opened door, completely bewildered. The old count, seeing this, shook his head helplessly and explained to Chen Wenbin, "Robin, Henry also wants to study in your laboratory for a while. His father asked me to help him—but as you can see, he's really not good at socializing. If you don't want to take him as your assistant, I'll refuse on your behalf!"
"Sigh! If he keeps going like this, I'm afraid no woman will like him!"
What is the ultimate form of social anxiety?
Chen Wenbin was speechless, but then he thought that it was perfectly normal for there to be eccentric people among scientists.
Take the fat old man next to me, for example. His skin is so thick it could be a city wall. And then there's Sir Isaac Newton, who not only loves stock trading but also enjoys power struggles and suppressing his opponents. Compared to that, social anxiety is simply insignificant!
Anyway, scientific research doesn't require strong social skills, and people with social anxiety are actually more likely to focus.
So he thought for a moment, then smiled at the old count and said, "—My lord, I don't think scientific research requires social skills. Which university did he graduate from?"
Seeing that Chen Wenbin did not refuse, the old count immediately introduced him: "Cambridge University! Henry graduated from Cambridge University!"
His grandfather was the 2nd Duke of Devonshire, and his father, Charles, was a Fellow of the Royal Society and had his own laboratory—if you would be willing to have Henry as your assistant, I think Charles would certainly be willing to fund your research!
Chen Wenbin chuckled, "I don't lack funds, I just lack time and a brilliant mind. Then please send someone to bring Henry back. I'll interview him alone after the party."
"no problem!"
The old count also breathed a sigh of relief. After what had just happened, if Chen Wenbin had directly refused, he wouldn't have been able to say anything, but he would have just lost face. Now it was just as he wished; whether Henry passed the interview or not was no longer his concern.
Next, the group shared their research and perspectives while drinking tea and enjoying snacks.
Chen Wenbin mainly introduced his electromagnetic theory and electrochemical knowledge.
John Hadley shared his research on evaporative cooling, John Canton explained his experimental ideas on compressed water, and even the old Earl recounted his plans to fund expeditions to explore the Pacific and southern continents, as well as to observe the celestial phenomena of the Southern Hemisphere.
Only Benjamin Franklin has devoted himself to politics in recent years and has basically abandoned scientific research. There's not much to say about him, except to introduce the experiments I saw at Chen Wenbin's place and give some of my own conjectures.
Two more scholars arrived during this period: John Roebuck, a successful businessman who researched lead-containing sulfuric acid, and Dr. William Watson. They shared their knowledge of the properties and preparation methods of sulfuric acid, as well as their research on the speed of electric current.
Dr. William Watson was Chen Wenbin's neighbor and colleague. He was the founder of the British Museum and lived not far from Robin House. He was also researching smallpox vaccines.
Before they knew it, more than three hours had passed, and as dusk approached, the scientific gathering came to an end. Although everyone was tired, they all felt they had gained a lot. Even Chen Wenbin had received inspiration from Hadley and John Roebuck.
For example, the products that have been developed from evaporative cooling technology are air conditioners and refrigerators, while lead chamber sulfuric acid production, although highly polluting, can produce sulfuric acid on a large scale, which is of great significance to the chemical industry.
After agreeing on a mailing address with the group, Chen Wenbin and Franklin said goodbye and left, taking Henry Cavendish, who had stayed behind, with them.
This socially anxious guy wanted to go back and participate in the discussion all afternoon, but he kept lingering at the door. Chen Wenbin really didn't understand what he had to be afraid of.