We at LSS have never enjoyed a happy relationship with youth. Mention the word-“yoof” as it is properly pronounced- and the images conjured up include skateboarding, graffiti, unlistenable music, gangs, raves, computer games, flimsy fashion, tattoos and people who put their feet on seats. Add the fact that many of them are better than us at University Challenge,* and the fact that we had to helped by a six year old with the water machine in a Spanish hotel recently, and you can sense where our resentment comes from.
Which is why it is so gratifying to learn that one youth, 14 year old Heman Bekele of Annandale , Virginia has turned his back on the culture of vicious dissipation, devoting his hours to learning and the Betterment of Humankind. For Heman has created a new type of soap which may well alleviate the sufferings of those with skin cancer. Deservedly he has been named America’s Top Young Scientist, ahead of a pack of other young geniuses who also represent our best hopes. We’ve two links for you today, one from the inimitable Stacy Liberatore of the Mail, and one from MSN with slightly more detail {1] [2]
What can we at the more reflective and philosophical end of humankind learn from all this? Firstly, don’t write ’em all off-there may be a few good ones in any group of people. Even youths. Secondly, soap is good, and it just got better. Thirdly, and most importantly, those Spanish water dispensers are like mobile phones-make sure there’s someone young around when you get into trouble.
[1]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12663163/virginia-student-wins-americas-young-scientist-competition-soap-treats-skin-cancer.html
[2]https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/14-year-old-prodigy-invents-revolutionary-cancer-fighting-soap/ar-AA1iGU5c
*Monday Night BBC2 20.30 UK time
Learning, Science and Society 