NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
Episode 16: The Academic Community’s Lunch (1)
****
The presentation itself was over in no time. No PowerPoint slides or anything, and even if I dragged it out, the audience would just zone out. Professors are people too, after all.
“Any questions?”
The reaction was explosive.
People raised their hands and stared at me. Some looked ready to argue, others were clearly baffled, and a few seemed genuinely intrigued.
Anyway, they were all looking at me. Amidst the barrage of questions, I briefly glanced at Istina. What did I say again, Istina?
“Yes. Microscopic particles, or bacteria, exist everywhere imaginable. Therefore, not only during surgery but also before seeing patients, one must always wash their hands,” I reported.
I turned my head toward another questioner.
“The evidence that stained microscopic particles are living organisms is as follows: They react to stimuli like temperature, consume nutrients to grow, and their numbers increase over time.”
A simple answer.
“How did you observe that?”
“It’s on the second page of the paper. It’s about observing microbial colonies using culture media. Colonies are visible to the naked eye.”
Next person.
“The microscope isn’t a magical tool; it uses lens refraction. Whether magic is involved in its production, I’m not sure.”
It’s like opening up an entirely new world. For a while, the academic community will be busy observing various microorganisms and documenting their characteristics.
“How do we know this content is true? There could be fabrications or lies, right?”
“We might have missed something. However, since this research is relatively easy to replicate, feel free to try reproducing it when you have time.”
The auditorium buzzed with energy unlike ever before.
“Diseases arise from bad air, and the decay or wounds caused by disease provide evidence. While I acknowledge the discovery of microscopic particles, it’s hard to accept that they cause decay or disease.”
True. That’s a reasonable doubt to have.
Our evidence regarding how bacteria cause disease is still lacking.
At this point, we can’t fully prove that the bacteria we discovered are the cause rather than merely present at the scene of diseases.
Since the mechanisms by which bacteria multiply or spread, or how they cause illness, aren’t well understood in this world yet.
Let’s move past this smoothly.
“I don’t think these hypotheses are mutually exclusive. Considering the size of microscopic particles, it’s highly likely they can move through the air under certain conditions. Bad air might not be entirely wrong.”
In short, the real issue is what exactly is contained in that “bad air.”
“Are there more questions?”
A healer sitting in the front row raised her hand. Violet, the royal healer. Looks like today was a slow day for poker at the Imperial Palace infirmary.
“Yes.”
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Professor Asterix, you’re aware that much of today’s argument contradicts the majority opinion in the academic community, correct?”
“Of course, I am.”
“The practice of not needing to wash hands before surgery, the common knowledge that disease is transmitted by foul-smelling, polluted air—not by particles or insects, and the established belief that the basic building blocks of the human body are small spheres.”
Why come all the way here to the symposium just to argue when you could be playing poker at the infirmary?
“Not washing hands before surgery seems hard to accept. Washing is beneficial, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Also, the idea that disease spreads through smell is only half-true. Smell is something we can perceive with our senses. But epidemics don’t only spread when there’s a smell, right?”
Violet nodded.
“As for the basic units of the human body, that’s something observable under a microscope. There’s no room for debate or discussion—just look for yourself.”
“Then, show us.”
Dozens of eyes shifted from Violet back to me. So that’s why you asked me, Violet.
It’s possible to show them. Though it’s a hassle, I didn’t bring the microscope here.
I glanced at Istina.
“Istina, can you bring the microscope?”
“Hmm, it’s possible, but it’ll take some time.”
We’re inside the Academy auditorium, so it shouldn’t be impossible to fetch the microscope from the lab. It’ll take a few minutes though.
“Then… go ahead.”
“Understood.”
Istina rushed out of the auditorium. The gathered crowd looked at me.
“Oh, Istina will be back in a few minutes with the microscope and samples.”
The auditorium fell silent instantly. Was it anticipation? Or maybe they were killing time during the break? Or perhaps their curiosity waned for a moment.
“Oh, we seem to have some spare time. Did everyone enjoy a good lunch?”
My joke didn’t get much of a response.
****
Only Violet was looking at me.
Ten minutes later, Istina returned carrying the microscope, carefully wrapped in what looked like a blanket to prevent it from breaking.
And so, the microscope was placed on the table on stage. I adjusted the focus. Hmm, this should be clear enough.
“Alright, everyone line up.”
Istina brought three samples.
One prepared colony of gram-stained Staphylococcus aureus, a sample of human oral epithelial cells, and water containing protozoa collected from the pond. I pulled a chair in front of the microscope.
“Do you see it?”
“Wow, is that really… visible?”
“Try adjusting the focus.”
Violet squinted.
“Oh.”
“As I mentioned earlier, the existence of cells and microscopic particles is experimentally proven fact without room for rebuttal. Can’t you see it?”
The line kept growing. Everyone seemed genuinely curious if they could see the cells and bacteria. Violet nodded.
“It’s real.”
“Yes.”
Once again, the people lining up to use the microscope began murmuring. I scanned the crowd gathered in the auditorium.
“Really, there’s something visible.”
“How were the samples prepared?”
“Can we replicate the same experiments on our side?”
Would I tell them not to? This isn’t how academia works. It’s a jungle where the strong survive.
“Isn’t that what science is about? I’ll do my best to assist you. If you have any questions, send me a letter. Try everything you can.”
Istina nodded beside me. The murmurs continued, and the line to use the microscope grew longer.
After quite some time…
The symposium organizer looked visibly flustered. It’s understandable, considering even the organizer had lined up to use the microscope.
Ultimately, curiosity got the better of him.
“Oh, sorry. Professor Asterisk’s presentation delayed things a bit. Since the symposium lasts two more days, we’ll push a few sessions back. Sorry.”
Because the schedule had already been delayed by an hour due to showing the microscope and answering questions. It’s understandable that he’d be troubled.
“No complaints here. I was looking through the microscope too. Sorry, but I hope the next speakers can proceed quickly.”
The people gathered in the auditorium murmured.
Some speakers gave the organizer a disapproving glare.
There’s a famous anecdote about the discovery of DNA’s structure. Doctors Watson, Crick, and Wilkins won the Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of DNA, posthumously crediting Dr. Franklin.
Why bring up Dr. Franklin?
Dr. Franklin’s research, including the famous X-ray crystallography image known as “Photo 51,” was shared with competing researchers before it was officially published—without her knowledge. Those competing researchers were the aforementioned Nobel Prize-winning trio.
Watson, Crick, and Wilkins used the photo as inspiration to uncover the structure of DNA. Dr. Franklin passed away from ovarian cancer.
Neither Dr. Franklin nor her colleagues who co-authored the paper received the Nobel Prize.
In any case…
What I’m trying to say is, these people wouldn’t hesitate to steal research—even from the deceased. I don’t plan to be overly picky about textbook-level discoveries.
Most importantly…
Medical papers need to be published as soon as possible to save lives. If someone else can conduct research faster than me, that’s fortunate.
“I’ve talked too much.”
“You must be tired.”
“You too. Did you grab the microscope?”
“I did.”
Thank goodness.
“Still, it’s lucky the symposium ended successfully. I was worried your research might get buried or attract a lot of criticism.”
“I only wrote the truth. Not accepting it is their loss.”
“Yeah, true.”
Still, it’s better than having the research rejected at the symposium. Plenty of people showed interest, and quite a few want to make microscopes.
****
Professor Klaus was flipping through the symposium journal. The paper authored by Professor Asterisk was indeed included.
Did the presentation go well?
I hoped it went well. Regardless of the level of evidence, it’s completely new content, after all. At the very least, there must have been plenty of people eager to refute it with fiery determination.