"Hay una cosa que un científico nunca debe hacer, y es dudar del Fe."

The essence of this quote revolves around the critical importance of belief in foundational principles—specifically, the element iron (Fe) in the context of scientific inquiry. Iron, with its symbol Fe, is a cornerstone in various scientific fields, and questioning its properties or existence would undermine a lot of what we know about science itself.

Historically, this quote likely emerged during a period when the scientific community was emphasizing the importance of fundamental elements in understanding the physical world. Iron has been essential throughout history, from ancient civilizations that utilized it for tools and structures, to modern science where its properties are crucial in multiple domains such as chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Imagine a chemist working in a lab, meticulously measuring and mixing substances to create a new compound. If this chemist started doubting the atomic structure or the properties of iron, their entire experiment could fall apart. Think of a bridge engineer questioning the integrity of steel (an iron alloy); the safety of the bridge would be in jeopardy. Iron’s reliability is non-negotiable because so much of our infrastructure and technology depend on it.

So, how can we apply this wisdom? First, recognize the importance of foundational knowledge in any field you’re exploring. Whether you’re diving into computer science, medicine, or even cooking, there are basic principles and elements that you need to trust and understand deeply. For instance, in computer science, doubting the functioning of basic algorithms would make it impossible to build complex software.

Here’s a relatable story to illustrate this idea. Picture a young baker named Sarah. She dreams of opening her own bakery. She bakes every weekend, experimenting with recipes and ingredients. One day, she decides to question the fundamental role of yeast in bread-making. She starts doubting if yeast is really necessary and tries to make bread without it. The result? Flat, dense loaves that don't rise. Sarah learns the hard way that some things—like yeast in baking or iron in science—are essential and reliable. Doubting them isn’t just unproductive; it’s counterproductive.

If you’re trying to apply this in your life, start by identifying the “iron” in your field—those basic elements or principles that you absolutely need to trust. Make sure you understand them thoroughly before moving on to more complex ideas. This will give you a solid foundation to build on. And remember, while questioning and curiosity are important, some things are so fundamental that doubting them can lead you astray.

So, next time you’re working on a project or learning something new, think of Sarah’s flat bread. Trust the basics, have faith in the foundational elements of your field, and build from there. This approach not only stabilizes your work but also frees you to innovate and explore within a reliable framework.