The Dark Side of Genius: A Cautionary Tale on Racism
Written on
Chapter 1: The Invention That Changed the World
Have you ever come across the term "transistor"? This semiconductor component is fundamental in electronics, enabling the creation of modern devices like smartphones and personal computers. The invention of the transistor can be credited to William Shockley, a figure often heralded as one of the most significant inventors of the last century and a key player in the birth of the computer era.
Shockley was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1956, a testament to his groundbreaking contributions. However, a troubling aspect of his legacy cannot be overlooked.
William Shockley harbored racist beliefs and was an advocate of eugenics. In his later years, he promoted notions of white racial superiority and supported the voluntary sterilization of Black women, claiming his racial theories were more significant than his technological innovations. His obituar