A good human professor with didactical experience, in-depth knowledge of his subject and a charismatic presence can be a central driving force for young people to follow in developing an interest in the subject. They often do not have a developed vision as to how the acquired knowledge will benefit them — the only use that was short-term enough for me was impressing the professor at the time of the exam.

As naugty as promiscuous learning sounds, removing the motivational force of a respected central teacher may lead to reducing the overall motivation to learn, soon followed by the actual content learned, and eventually due to political pressure, a lowering of standards. When I complained to my Analytical Mechanics professor that his course was too hard, he said, “Well, yes. People must be put through the crucible. It transforms them and only then something can become of them.” Because it was a person saying this, I was determined to prove myself to him. Had it been an impersonal set of graduation requirements, who knows?