In case you hadn't heard, Steve Chu has been nominated
to be the next Secretary of Energy.
I actually know the guy. I've worked with him. And
let me tell you, he's reeeeeally smart. The genuine
article. Broad /and/ deep. He knows about big things
(cosmology) and little things (quarks) and a lot of
stuff in between.
He's also good in the lab, or as we put it, he's got
good hands (although that may not be of much direct
benefit in his new position).
He is good at getting up to speed on new things quickly.
This is a guy who can think for himself. He doesn't
need to decide things based on how many lobbyists are
for it or how many bureaucrats are against it; he can
just figure it out.
Things are about to get very interesting at DoE. I
hope so, anyway.