Most Gen Z kids complain “Eww, Chemistry? You’re such a bum. Physics and Bio are much better blah blah blah” or say “You’re crazy for being interesting in chem you crazy person”.
But the haters obviously don’t understand Chemistry’s potential, the changes they can make and just how much people are interested in it. Here are some quotes/stories said by successful people about chemistry, whether childhood passion, why chemistry is great, or about the new generation
Nobel laureates Carolyn Bertozzi, when asked about why she was interested in chem responded, “I think . . . the big problems of the world boil down to problems in chemistry, whether it has to do with the climate, or energy, or medicine.” In the same interview she addressed her childhood inspiration of how asking her father about glue sparked her interest for chemistry “our whole house is held together by glue, and that was chemistry.”
Paul Alivisatos, an ACS medalist notes how young people in this current generation are interested in chemistry because of the amount of problems/fascinations in modern day society “I encounter so many young chemists who both want to make a real difference in creating new knowledge, and they want to have a real impact on the world around them,” she said “This is a generation that seems to have both of those—they want to do both.” This should be an impetus for anyone interested in chem to rise up and pursue their passion as there is a vast ocean of possibilities for success in chemistry. And it shouldn’t make one worry if they feel so different to everyone else.
Even past famous chemists recognize chemistry’s great success:
William Ramsay, who discovered NOBLE GASES (his discoveries added that column to the periodic table) said “The country which is in advance of the rest of the world in chemistry will also be foremost in wealth and in general prosperity.” Another strong reason why pursuing chemistry is wise. It is a field that is crucial to a country’s success according to Ramsay. And the wealth of countries like USA and China are clearly reflected in how much effort they invest in China.
Finally, Chemistry is a science where there is much to discover to anymore and is a “playful” science compared to others. Thomas Thomson, who created the saccharometer for measuring sugar in liquids and advocating for Dalton’s ideas stated “Chemistry, unlike other sciences, sprang originally from delusions and superstitions, and was at its commencement exactly on a par with magic and astrology.” So chemistry, unlike physics and bio (especially physics) which is mostly rule-based and has is structured, chemistry encourages innovations with its many exceptions and vast amount of molecules out there.
So remember, don’t let anyone ruin your chemistry dreams and ignore all the hate it gets!
Here is article in which some of these quotes were taken from: https://cen.acs.org/acs-news/group-priestly-medalists-say-future/104/web/2026/09?sc=260920_news_eng_cennews_cen&elqE=18764&elqC=10752
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