Wang also considered the fact that because much of science is collaborative, finding the right colleagues could explain how a career can temporarily catch fire. Einstein’s hot streak coincided with his brief marriage to fellow physicist and collaborator Mileva Marić, and while there’s no evidence he stole anything from her, there’s plenty that his mind was stimulated by their constant exchange of ideas.
Part of the nature of a hot streak is that it cools. Einstein had the same brain working for many years, but never had another year quite like 1905. Sometimes, said Wang, a scientist will discover something and move way up to the front of the pack, making more discoveries in that uncharted territory. But the consequence of being influential is that in couple of years, the pack will catch up. And at some point the muse will visit someone else and ignite another hot streak.
This opinion piece was provided by Bloomberg News.