« The act of a man creating is the act of a whole man, that it is rather than the product that makes it good and worthy. » Jerome S. Bruner, On Knowing (1962, p.17)
Fischer Black grew up in Bronxville, New York. The neighborhood was composed of wealthy people. While the parents were occupied with elite sports and cocktail parties, children were in charge of the service. Thus, children were used to take part in events organized by the upper society, a really good thing when you know you will have a successful career and you will have to participate to many of those events during your life.
In 1954, he went to visit Harvard College with his parents but stayed in the car. His parents thought he could become a good doctor but Fischer chose a career in science. This college was the only one for which he applied. As he was the “number one candidate” from the elite Bronxville High School, he had no trouble to be accepted in it.
The only one reason he chose Harvard was for its Freshman Glee Club. Indeed, as a math and science geek, he was awkward in social situations. According to him, the choral groups provided social contacts.
With three of his high school friends, he created the group called “the American Society of Creators, Apostles, and Prophets”. One of them, Georges Amis, his best friend, defined Fischer as “the personification of Oriental mystery”.
A for Jamon - but too long. You're not writing the book!
ReplyDeleteSo Black is a top guy from a top school from a top suburb of the richest city in 1950's America.
It's interesting that the other 3 people in the club all went on to be researchers, but none of them are well-known now.