BR TO GENE CALLAHAN, 28 APR. 1952
BRACERS 11793. ALD. McMaster. Russell 15 (1995): 45
Edited by K. Blackwell

Dear Mr. Callahan,1

Thank you for your interesting letter of April 2. I see that some of your problems are by no means easy. I cannot quite make out whether your natural bent is most towards physics or most towards mathematics. I think, so far as work is concerned, the most important factor is one’s spontaneous interest and that among things that it is reputable to work at one should select what one enjoys rather than what one conceives to be of most social utility. Nobody does good work of an intellectual or artistic sort unless he enjoys it. You say you have been getting bad grades lately and I should suppose that this is due, at least in part, to emotional disturbances. It is important not to let these interfere with work, especially while one is young. Given a certain amount of self-control they can fit in without damage.

I very much agree with what you say about the unfortunate way in which intellectuals in America are made bitter by non-recognition. America is a paradise for the executive type but is hell for the intellectual.

The situation you describe with Miss Crawford must be painful for you. I am sure your wisest course is not to pursue her. If she is really fond of you, this will make her more pliant; if not, there is nothing doing.

Yours sincerely

• 1

  Mr. Callahan Gene Callahan, whose long letter is at RA2 720.122107a.