Samuel Scudder
Many times, we learn stupid facts to pass a test and we never to actually apply them into our lives because these facts don’t seem importance to us. Samuel Scudder, an aspiring zoologist, began studying entomology before turning to study insects, when he came across Professor Agassiz who really helped to change his perspective about learning. Agassiz would say, “Facts are stupid things… until brought into connection with some general law.” Professor Agassiz acknowledge that facts are no good on their own but supported with context and connections can make them important to our lives today. Although, it’s hard to apply the anatomy of a fish to life, an experience Scudder would last him a life time. “It was almost with reluctance that I left
these friends and turned to insects; but what I had gained by this outside experience has been of greater value than years of later investigations in my favorite group.” Even if he won’t ever talk about the makeup of a fish, he learned something more important. Scudder learned that the journey leading up to the discovery that Professor Agassiz had wanted him to come to, was more important than what he actually learned in the class.
these friends and turned to insects; but what I had gained by this outside experience has been of greater value than years of later investigations in my favorite group.” Even if he won’t ever talk about the makeup of a fish, he learned something more important. Scudder learned that the journey leading up to the discovery that Professor Agassiz had wanted him to come to, was more important than what he actually learned in the class.