People From Los Angeles

"Enrico Fermi and Leo Szilard worked together at in 1939-40, just after was discovered, to ascertain the feasibility of a nuclear chain reaction, and then on the construction of the first nuclear reactor. Szilard believed a nuclear bomb could be built, and that the Germans may be doing so, but Fermi was sceptical. The Anglo-American project to build a bomb began late in 1941 after brought the to the attention of U. S. physicists. Szilard recalled "On matters scientific or technical there was rarely any disagreement [but] Fermi and I disagreed from the very start of our collaboration about every issue that involved not science but principles of action in the face of the approaching war. If the nation owes us gratitude — and it may not — it does so for having stuck it out together as long as was necessary." As the war with Germany was drawing to a close and the successful construction of the atomic bombs was well underway, these two men took opposing positions regarding use of the bombs."

"Emmy Noether proved two deep theorems, and their converses, on the connection between and s. Because these theorems are not in the mainstream of her scholarly work, which was the development of modern abstract algebra, it is of some historical interest to examine how she came to make these discoveries. The present paper is an historical account of the circumstances in which she discovered and proved these theorems which physicists refer to collectively as . The work was done soon after . The failure of local energy conservation in the general theory was a problem that concerned people at that time, among them David Hilbert, Felix Klein, and Albert Einstein. Noether's theorems solved this problem. With her characteristically deep insight and thorough analysis, in solving that problem she discovered very general theorems that have profoundly influenced modern physics."

"Enrico Fermi lived from 1901 to 1954, a period of great progress in physics and a period in which opportunities for women to study and work in institutions of higher learning increased significantly in Europe and North America. Though there are a few examples of women who made important contributions to physics in the 18th century such as and , it was only in Fermi's time that the number began to increase significantly. It is remarkable that almost immediately after they gained entrance to laboratories and universities, among them appeared women of great creative ability who made lasting contributions to physics. This talk is mainly about some of these whose scientific lives are not as well known as their contributions deserve — Emmy Noether, , , . Additionally, some outstanding women whose work played a role in Enrico Fermi's life in physics are noted - , , , and ."

"In 1943 fear that the German war machine might use s was abating and among s another fear was taking its place - that of a postwar nuclear arms race with worldwide proliferation of nuclear weapons. Manhattan Project scientists and engineers began to discuss uses of in the postwar world. Niels Bohr, Leo Szilard, James A. Franck and others launched a concerted effort to lay groundwork for international control of the technology. Realizing the devastation nuclear weapons could cause and that they could be made and delivered much more cheaply than conventional weapons of the same power, they tried to persuade policy makers to take into account long range consequences of using atomic bombs and not base their decisions on short range military expediency alone. They met with little success. The scientists' main message, unheeded then and very relevant now, is that worldwide international agreements are needed to provide for inspection and control of nuclear weapons technology. Their memoranda and reports remain as historic documents eloquently testifying to their concern."

"Although she was primarily a particle theorist, her most important work may well be her contribution to our understanding of superconductivity. She was a trailblazer for and, in her retirement, led the effort to chronicle the contributions of women to physics in the 20th century."

"Imagine a world where we intentionally taught children pro-social skills, gave them many opportunities to practice, and positively reinforced them every time they used those skills"

"Now these are all childlike behaviors, albeit from a very curious child, but childlike nonetheless,"

"When we’re aware of ourselves, then we come to know what our hot buttons are, what our behavior is, and how we respond to the behavior of others"

"School resource officers have become more involved in the basic discipline of children, stepping in where teachers previously would have handled low-level misbehavior"

"Children who are suspended are ten times more likely to enter the juvenile justice system,They’re more likely to drop out of school, have low achievement, and be suspended again."

"African American children are only 19 percent of the preschool population, but comprise nearly half of all suspensions,"

"“You don’t want to be King,” he said, his tone accusatory. Lyam laughed bitterly. “No sane man would.”"

"I see myself as a servant of the gods, though that may be only my vanity speaking."

"He was always complaining of there being so much to learn and so little time to learn it. And that from a man who had lived years beyond numbering."

"I think I know what power can do, and what sort of men seek it."

"“It would be a proper occasion for you to make some sort of entrance into court society.” “I’m sorry, Hocho,” Milamber said, “I have little desire to attend any festivals. I have been to one earlier this month, in Ontoset, as part of my studies. The dances are boring, the food tends toward the awful, and the wine is as flat as the speeches. The games are of less interest still. If this is the court society you speak of, then I’ll be fine without it.”"

"That you have lived as you have lived for centuries is no license for this cruelty. All here are now judged, and all are found wanting."

"The Empire must change its course, or it is doomed to fall. The rotten, weak heart of this culture cannot support its own weight much longer, and like a ngaggi tree with a rotten core, it will collapse under its own weight."

"“There are many ways to love someone. Sometimes we want to love so much, we’re not too choosy about who we love. Other times we make love such a pure and noble thing, no poor human can ever meet our vision. But for the most part, love is a recognition, an opportunity to say, ‘There is something about you I cherish.’ It doesn’t entail marriage, or even physical love. There’s love of parents, love of city or nation, love of life, and love of people. All different, all love.”"

"What they teach you is useful, but never accept the proposition that just because a solution satisfies a problem, that it must be the only solution."

"The path of power is a path of turns within turns."

"The war goes on. Good for the merchants, bad for the rest."

"“Second, there must never be a time when the need for stability overrules the need for growth.” “But we have always grown!” objected Hochopepa. “Not true,” countered Milamber. “You have always expanded, and that seems like growth if you don’t investigate closely. But while your armies have been bringing new lands into your borders, what has happened to your art, your music, your literature, your research? Even the vaunted Assembly does little more than refine that which is already known.”"

"Many men do things they regret later. Only a few are granted the opportunity to make amends."

"“It seems to me there are several major problems here, problems I can only guess at in terms of impact upon the Empire. “First”—he held up his index finger—“those in power are more concerned with their own grandeur than with the well-being of the Empire. And as they are those who appear to the casual eye to be the Empire, it is an easy thing not to notice.”"

"There is only one thing I know of that a woman hates more than a man she doesn’t like paying her too much attention—and that’s lack of attention from a man she does like."

"I am!—he cries, and a million philosophies cry out in wonder."

"Love is like a lot of things, it is always best done with the head. Save mindless efforts for mindless things."

"“There is no place like the sea, gentlemen. Those who live on land all their lives can never truly understand. The sea is basic, sometimes cruel, sometimes gentle, and never predictable. But it is nights like this that make me thankful the gods allowed me to be a sailor.” Arutha said, “And something of a philosopher as well.” Amos chuckled. “Take any deep-water sailor who’s faced death at sea as many times as I have, and scratch him lightly. Underneath you’ll find a philosopher, Highness. No fancy words, I’ll warrant you, but a deep abiding sense of his place in the world.”"

"Aye, and it’s a brave dwarf who loots a dragon’s lair."

"All creatures fear change, even the gods."

"We of the Assembly support the Empire because on this world it is the single most powerful force for order—not because it is noble, or fair, or beautiful, or just. But because of it the majority of humanity can live and work without war in their homelands, can live without famine, plagues, and the other disasters of older times. And with this order around us, we of the Assembly can work unhindered."

"As I thought. That man’s got the heart of a shark, which is to say none, and the courage of a jellyfish, which is also to say none."

"But legends are common enough. Turn up any rock on the beach and you’ll find one. I for one prefer to look for real answers to our shortcomings, not blame them on ancient superstitions."

"“We have an old saying: ‘In the High Council, there is no brother.’”"

"But when you’ve seen as many different lands as I have, you learn that the more things look different, the more they are the same."

"One time is much like another to death. She comes when she will. So why give over your mind to worry?"

"When the boy had finished, the King said, “That is a wonderful tale. It is better than the versions that have reached our court, for while it is not half so heroic, it is twice as impressive for being true.”"

"Among man’s strange undertakings, war stood clearly forth as the strangest."

"“Our host is the sort who sees which way the wind blows before making up his mind; he waits word from the merchant before deciding if we’re prisoners or guests.” The magician chuckled. “You’ll find as you grow older that minor functionaries are the same the world over.”"

"“I’m not one to advise you in such matters, I fear, as I’ve had scant experience with women, of any age, let alone such young and headstrong ones.” Looking Pug in the eyes, he said, “But this much I do know, it is almost impossible in the heat of the moment to understand long-term consequences.”"

"There may be a more superstitious breed on Midkemia than sailors, but who they are I could not tell you."

"Well, knowing your own part in this is a good sign that you’re becoming a man. Most boys would have tried to justify their actions by shifting blame or by claiming some moral imperative to fight."

"No disrespect to you, Tully. But don’t try to teach an old thief to steal. I know your order chops logic with the best of them, and that half your brother clerics fall into laughing fits when they hear those deadly serious young acolytes debate theological issues set aside a century ago."

"“I don’t know what to say.” “Then say nothing, Pug. It makes you seem wise when everyone is babbling.”"

"Pug questioned him with a look. “I don’t understand.” The traveler shook his head. “I don’t expect you to, Pug. Let us say that things are occurring that can be understood only by examination after the fact, with a distance of time separating the participants from the participating.”"

"I was a very minor missionary, actually a heretic, but I toiled wholeheartedly in the vineyards because it was fun, fun, fun. Where else could a red-blooded American boy lie, kill, cheat, steal, rape, and pillage with the sanction and blessing of the All-Highest?"

"As your mayor, I will never stop working for you, I will continue working with you to make sure our agenda and our administration truly reflects the full diversity and will of the people of Los Angeles."

"I don’t believe the way to show my strength is by fighting. I believe the way to show my strength is by winning."

"Making history with each of you today is a monumental moment in my life and in Los Angeles."