# Greatest Scientists: Elimination Game **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [January 5, 2018, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909 "2018-01-05T11:12:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/81 "2018-02-09T16:00:39Z")
Our expert panel found it easy to boot **Copernicus** out of the Top Six. **Maxwell** was worth the Top Five but, despite having a Keep vote, his time was up also. **Round Thirteen is over. Round Fourteen will end Monday, Feb. 12 about 11:30 AM New York time. For Round Fourteen you may cast two Evict (elimination) votes and one Keep vote. _The order in which you list the evictions will be used for tie-breaking._** The Final Four are: **Darwin, Charles - biology Einstein, Albert - physics Galileo - physics, astronomy, etc. Newton, Sir Isaac - math, physics** 1. Maxwell, James Clerk 2. Copernicus, Nicolas 3. Archimedes 4. Faraday, Michael 5. Linnaeus, Carolus 6. Pasteur, Louis 7. Euclid 8. Mendeleev, Dmitri 9. Leeuwenhoek, Antonie van 10. Boyle, Robert 11. Euler, Leonhard 12. Bohr, Niels 13. Eratosthenes 14. Heisenberg, Werner 15. Planck, Max 16. Volta, Alessandro 17. Kepler, Johannes 18. Lavoisier, Antoine 19. Rutherford, Ernest 20. Salk, Jonas 21. Vesalius, Andreas 22. Curie, Marie 23. Huygens, Christiaan 24. Fermi, Enrico 25. Turing, Alan 26. Watson, James 27. Gauss, Karl 28. Tesla, Nicolai 29. Franklin, Benjamin 30. Hubble, Edwin 31. Feynman, Richard 32. Neumann, John von 33. Pauling, Linus 34. Leibnitz, Gottfried 35. Mendel, Gregor 36. Fermat, Pierre de 37. Franklin, Rosalind 38. Boas, Franz 39. Bernard, Claude 40. Meitner, Lise 41. Aristotle 42. Liebig, Justus von 43. Alhazen Ibn al-Haytham 44. Boltzmann, Ludwig 45. Lyell, Charles 46. Dirac, Paul ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/82 "2018-02-09T16:52:37Z")
Keep: Newton Evict: Darwin Galileo ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/83 "2018-02-09T18:17:44Z")
Evict: Darwin Einstein ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/84 "2018-02-09T22:02:31Z")
Eliminate: Galileo Einstein Keep: Darwin ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2018, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/85 "2018-02-10T05:25:41Z")
Evict: Einstein Newton Keep: Galileo ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2018, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/86 "2018-02-12T08:14:40Z")
Last round, Copernicus and Maxwell seemed like reasonable evictions from the Final Six, but ordering the Final Four looks more difficult. I’ll be happy to continue as we have been and to exercise my (so-far rarely used) tie-breaking power if necessary to finalize the _ **Ranks of the World’s Greatest Scientists Ever** _ … but I am also open to suggestions or discussion about other ways to proceed. **I’ll delay the end of Round 14 until Tuesday to ensure there’s time for discussion.** ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/87 "2018-02-13T17:26:06Z")
In the absence of discussion … _**the Dictator dictates! Round 14 is canceled.**_ \*\*We will finalize the rankings of the Final Four in one Final Round. Everyone has eleven votes; they can be used as Evicts or Keeps; and up to five of your votes can be spent on any single candidate. (And as usual, you’re free to change your votes after you’ve seen how others voted.) \*\* For examples: A player who wanted Darwin kept and cared about nothing else might vote Einstein - 2 evicts Galileo - 2 evicts Newton - 2 evicts Darwin - 5 keeps A player who liked Einstein most and Darwin least (and no opinion of Newton vs. Galileo) might vote Einstein - 5 keeps Darwin - 5 evicts A player who wanted to influence all four ranks might vote Einstein - 5 keeps Newton - 2 keeps Darwin - 4 evicts I’ll set no deadline for the End of the Final Round, but will post the apparent standings after a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/88 "2018-02-13T17:51:05Z")
First off, thanks for hosting the game, septimus! It’s been fun. Newton - 5 keeps Darwin - 3 evicts Galileo - 2 evicts Einstein - 1 evict ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/89 "2018-02-13T20:43:10Z")
Ah, what’s the strategy here? I guess I’ll just give points to arrange them in my preferred order. Newton - 2 keeps Galileo - 4 keeps Einstein - 1 evicts Darwin - 4 evicts ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2018, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/90 "2018-02-13T21:10:05Z")
I think Darwin’s getting short shrift here, so I’ll vote as follows: Darwin – 5 keeps Galileo – 5 evicts Einstein – 1 evict ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/91 "2018-02-14T02:14:40Z")
Of course, they are all great, I’m not worthy to judge them. All along, I’ve been voting Galileo, for his role in advancing observation and experimentalism. Newton next for numeracy in science. Darwin and Einstein were insightful geniuses, but it’s just more science. I guess I’d give the nod to Darwin for a simple theory that changed everything about how we think about living things (and some non-living things). Galileo- 5 keeps Newton- 4 keeps Einstein- 2 evicts (It kills me to type Einstein and evict in the same line. ) ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/92 "2018-02-14T02:18:43Z")
The big strike against Darwin is that Alfred Russel Wallace independently discovered natural selection. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/93 "2018-02-14T02:22:18Z")
[Homer has something to say:](https://youtu.be/AcMEckOyoaM?t=7) ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/94 "2018-02-14T03:10:22Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > The big strike against Darwin is that Alfred Russel Wallace independently discovered natural selection. I agree and my votes indicate it. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/95 "2018-02-14T07:01:46Z")
Here are the current votes in _reverse_ of the normal (elimination) order. Sir Isaac Newton is on tract to be voted _ **the Greatest Scientist ever** _. 1. Newton : 0-11 2. Galileo : 7-9 3. Darwin : 7-5 4. Einstein : 5-0 The round 14 votes were _very close_ but could be used to predict this same ranking. With the multiple votes, the panel’s decision becomes very clear… _ **… So far. Voting is still open. Welcome to other Dopers — You are all encouraged to vote.** _ ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/96 "2018-02-14T17:13:38Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > The big strike against Darwin is that Alfred Russel Wallace independently discovered natural selection. You could say the same about Einstein- others were knocking on the doors of relativity. Newton had brilliant contemporaries as well, as I’m sure did Galileo. I’m still giving them the nod, as I think their work was more transformative of science in general. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/97 "2018-02-14T17:37:06Z")
> [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](#): > > You could say the same about Einstein- others were knocking on the doors of relativity. > > Newton had brilliant contemporaries as well, as I’m sure did Galileo. I’m still giving them the nod, as I think their work was more transformative of science in general. Knocking on the door isn’t discovery. And relativity and calculus are far from all Einstein or Newton contributed. I don’t really think it’s comparable. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/98 "2018-02-14T19:38:34Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Knocking on the door isn’t discovery. And relativity and calculus are far from all Einstein or Newton contributed. I don’t really think it’s comparable. Absolutely true. And evolution wasn’t Darwin’s only contribution. You could go on. And on and on. Lots of thinkers eliminated in early rounds did foundational or revolutionary work in their fields. But, as was said in ‘Highlander’, “There can only be one!” ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/99 "2018-02-15T12:10:31Z")
> [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](#): > > You could say the same about Einstein- others were knocking on the doors of relativity. Special relativity? Sure. General relativity? Called the “most creative scientific theory ever”? No. This was Einstein’s alone. (Arguments that Hilbert shares credit are misinformed, as Hilbert himself declared.) When Einstein discovered, by himself, that his theory predicted the precession of Mercury’s perihelion, he reports that he had heart palpitations. Plus, though often overlooked it was Einstein who took key steps toward quantum physics: > [@Professor S. Arrhenius](#): > > … A third group of studies, for which in particular Einstein has received the Nobel Prize, falls within the domain of the quantum theory founded by Planck in 1900. > … > Owing to these studies by Einstein the quantum theory has been perfected to a high degree and an extensive literature grew up in this field whereby the extraordinary value of this theory was proved. Einstein’s law has become the basis of quantitative photo-chemistry in the same way as Faraday’s law is the basis of electro-chemistry. Darwin belongs somewhere in the Top Ten. Einstein belongs somewhere in the Top Two. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2018, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909/100 "2018-02-15T13:40:56Z")
Well, yes. I’m personally rooting for Galileo, for setting us on a path of observation, experiment, and reporting. Newton after that. But others could argue for Greeks who blazed the trails (but they’ve already been kicked off the island, hope they’re enjoying the losers’ resort). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-scientists-elimination-game/805909.md?page=6)