Ada Yonath

Ada Yonath is an Israeli crystallographer. At first I thought that meant she made crystals. I was wrong. Crystallography, it turns out, is "the experimental science of determining the arrangement of atoms in solids."

Ada has won many awards for her pioneering research. I'm glad for it.

Crystals are great. They made Superman who he is. It was the green crystal that called to him when he was a teenager living on the farm in Iowa or wherever. And in the north he threw that green crystal out into the icy landscape, and it made the Fortress of Solitude, which was full of more crystals that taught Superman everything he knows. Then later, after he gave up his super powers so he could have sex with Lois Lane, and eventually came to regret his decision, it was the green crystal again that gave him his powers back.

Crystals are enchanting. Superman is also enchanting, when he wants to be.


Billy Crystal is also enchanting.
Photo: el frijole via Flickr (CC)