FROM THE EDITORS

AMERICAN
The Path to Self-Actualization Scientist
w w w .am ericanscientist.org

y~ ^id Albert Einstein achieve his full potential?
I've been pondering this question since his
100-year-old prediction of the existence of gravi­
tational waves was confirmed this past February.
After a decades-long search, astrophysicists at the
VOLUME 104, NUMBER 3
Editor-in-Chief Jamie L. Vernon
Senior Consulting Editor Corey S. Powell
Managing Editor Fenella Saunders 1

Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observa­ Digital Features Editor Katie L. Burke

Contributing Editors Sandra J. Ackerman,
tory (LIGO) triumphantly detected ripples in the
Marla Broadfoot, Catherine Clabby, Brian Hayes,
curvature of spacetime. These disruptions, which
Anna Lena Phillips, Diana Robinson, David
occurred after a collision between two distant black Schoonmaker, Michael Szpir
holes, precisely validated Einstein's calculations. Editorial Associate Mia Evans
Although it's inspirational that his work continues to
shape our view of the universe, I've often wondered Art Director Barbara J. Aulicino
whether Einstein was satisfied with his legacy.
Born into an Ashkenazi Jewish family in 1879, Einstein dealt with many person­ SCIENTISTS' NIGHTSTAND
Editor Dianne Timblin
al challenges: unsupportive teachers, inability to land a teaching job after gradua­
tion, anti-Semitic backlash to his theories, and ongoing difficulties with romantic AMERICAN SCIENTIST ONLINE
relationships. It's reasonable to think that the energy spent overcoming these ob­ Digital Managing Editor Robert Frederick
stacles detracted from his personal satisfaction. He was, after all, only human.
To gain insight, I looked into the concept of self-actualization. In 1954, psycholo­ Publisher David Moran
gist Abraham Maslow expressed a theory of human development that explains
what factors influence people's ability to achieve their potential. At the core of this ADVERTISING SALES
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theory is the suggestion that we strive to fulfill basic needs before pursuing our
higher-level needs.
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Models depicting Maslow's theory often consist of CORRESPONDENCE
five hierarchical levels within a pyramid. The base of American Scientist
the pyramid represents physiological needs, such P.O. Box 13975
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and fourth levels relate to love, acceptance, Love/belonging

PUBLISHED BY SIGMA XI, THE SCIENTIFIC
and confidence. After satisfying these
RESEARCH SOCIETY
basic needs, we are free to pursue our Safety President Mark Peeples
fifth-level personal growth and ful­ Treasurer Ronald Millard
fillment needs; only then are we Physiological
President-Elect Tee Guidotti
fully realized. Immediate Past President George Atkinson
As it happens, Einstein was one of 18 subjects whose works and accomplish­ Interim Executive Director John C. Nemeth
ments were studied by Maslow in order to develop his original characteristics of
self-actualization. Maslow determined that, despite personal setbacks, Einstein COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND
PUBLICATIONS
represented an objectively self-actualized individual. Here, too, he was a source of
James Baur, Marc Brodsky, Thomas Kvale, Dennis
inspiration.
Meredith (chair), A ntonio Pita, and A ndrew Velkey
Several of the articles in this issue cover scientific work relating to the needs
in Maslow's hierarchy. In "Energy-Water Nexus: Head-On Collision or Near A m e ric a n S c ie n tis t gratefully acknowledges

Miss?" (pages 158-165), Kristen Averyt addresses our physical need for energy
and clean water and how to sustain them in the future; in "Cybersecurity Is
Harder Than Building Bridges" (pages 154-157), Peter and Dorothy Denning
address security needs by offering a path to a safer, more reliable Internet; and
in "The Imprecise Search for Extraterrestrial Habitability" (pages 146-149), Kevin
Heng looks at how needs might be satisfied for beings on other worlds. Our
Spotlight interview with Mark Edwards, the engineer that led the Flint Water
Study, details how scientists failed to protect the needs of the citizens of Flint
and provides the steps we can take to avoid similar errors in the future. Heeding
Edwards's advice will help us all to be more self-actualized.
As for a response to my opening question, it turns out that Einstein provided
support fo r "E ngineering" through the Leroy
Record Fund.
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society is an
honor society of scientists and engineers, founded
in 1886 to recognize scientific achievement. A
diverse organization o f members and chapters,
the Society fosters interaction am ong science,
technology, and society: encourages appreciation
and support o f original w ork in science and
technology; and promotes ethics and excellence
in scientific and engineering research.

his own answer on his last day of life, stating, "I have done my share; it is time to Printed in USA

go." We should all be so fortunate. —Jamie L. Vernon (@JLVernonPhD)

130 American Scientist, Volume 104

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