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Patrick Stewart dies at 86; scientists credit Captain Picard with shaping careers

The Star Trek actor, who portrayed the USS Enterprise captain for decades, inspired researchers through the character's leadership style and humanistic values.

newest coverage 13d agosummary written 13d ago13 pieces10 likes & upvotes NewswiresMastodonGoogle NewsHacker News

What to know

  • Patrick Stewart, actor best known for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, died 28 October at age 86.
  • Scientists across multiple disciplines credit Stewart's portrayal of the thoughtful, consultative captain with influencing their career choices and leadership practices.
  • Picard's character exemplified qualities researchers value: curiosity, respect for diverse perspectives, collaborative decision-making, and commitment to bettering humanity.

“For scientists, that really resonates. What drives us is bettering ourselves and the rest of humanity through the search for knowledge and just to learn and understand.”

Sarah Bickerton, Public-policy researcher, University of Auckland · Nature ↗ · Oct 29

Patrick Stewart Actor; played Captain Jean-Luc PicardSarah Bickerton Public-policy researcher, University of AucklandTracy Drain Flight systems engineer, NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryJordan Harrison Psychologist, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Patrick Stewart dies at 86; scientists credit Captain Picard with shaping careers
nature.com

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts

Peak 8 pieces in 4h at Oct 30, 11 AM; 13 pieces over 14 days (7 articles · 6 posts) Oct 29, 7 PM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Newswires 2, Mastodon 1Oct 29, 11 PM — quietOct 30, 3 AM — quietOct 30, 7 AM — quietOct 30, 11 AM — 8 pieces · 5 articles · 3 posts — Mastodon 4, Google News 2, Newswires 2Oct 30, 3 PM — 2 pieces · 2 posts — Hacker News 1, Mastodon 1Oct 30, 7 PM — quietOct 30, 11 PM — quietOct 31, 3 AM — quietOct 31, 7 AM — quietOct 31, 11 AM — quietOct 31, 3 PM — quietOct 31, 7 PM — quietOct 31, 11 PM — quietNov 1, 2 AM — quietNov 1, 6 AM — quietNov 1, 10 AM — quietNov 1, 2 PM — quietNov 1, 6 PM — quietNov 1, 10 PM — quietNov 2, 2 AM — quietNov 2, 6 AM — quietNov 2, 10 AM — quietNov 2, 2 PM — quietNov 2, 6 PM — quietNov 2, 10 PM — quietNov 3, 2 AM — quietNov 3, 6 AM — quietNov 3, 10 AM — quietNov 3, 2 PM — quietNov 3, 6 PM — quietNov 3, 10 PM — quietNov 4, 2 AM — quietNov 4, 6 AM — quietNov 4, 10 AM — quietNov 4, 2 PM — quietNov 4, 6 PM — quietNov 4, 10 PM — quietNov 5, 2 AM — quietNov 5, 6 AM — quietNov 5, 10 AM — quietNov 5, 2 PM — quietNov 5, 6 PM — quietNov 5, 10 PM — quietNov 6, 2 AM — quietNov 6, 6 AM — quietNov 6, 10 AM — quietNov 6, 2 PM — quietNov 6, 6 PM — quietNov 6, 10 PM — quietNov 7, 2 AM — quietNov 7, 6 AM — quietNov 7, 10 AM — quietNov 7, 2 PM — quietNov 7, 6 PM — quietNov 7, 10 PM — quietNov 8, 2 AM — quietNov 8, 6 AM — quietNov 8, 10 AM — quietNov 8, 2 PM — quietNov 8, 6 PM — quietNov 8, 10 PM — quietNov 9, 2 AM — quietNov 9, 6 AM — quietNov 9, 10 AM — quietNov 9, 2 PM — quietNov 9, 6 PM — quietNov 9, 10 PM — quietNov 10, 2 AM — quietNov 10, 6 AM — quietNov 10, 10 AM — quietNov 10, 2 PM — quietNov 10, 6 PM — quietNov 10, 10 PM — quietNov 11, 2 AM — quietNov 11, 6 AM — quietNov 11, 10 AM — quietNov 11, 2 PM — quietNov 11, 6 PM — quietNov 11, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quiet 1
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  1. 1

    Scientists express how Picard shaped their careers

    Researchers from multiple fields—including public policy, engineering, and psychology—publicly reflected on how Stewart's portrayal of the collaborative, intellectually curious captain influenced their scientific paths and leadership philosophies. Sarah Bickerton noted Picard's consultative approach with his crew; Tracy Drain cited his respectful, encouraging demeanor; Jordan Harrison traced her interest in science and care for others to the character.

    “I can trace my initial interest in science, my love of space and astronomy, the seeds of an ethic of care for others different than me, and early memories of bonding with my dad over pop culture to Star Trek: TNG and Patrick Stewart's portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. This one hurts.”
    — Jordan Harrison
    1. 3 outlets As Picard on ‘Star Trek’, Patrick Stewart Influenced Generations of Scientists

      first by Mastodon, 13d ago · also NYT Science, NYT

      1 more headline
    • AkaSci@fosstodon.org

      Scientists weigh in on Patrick Stewart's influence on their work: "His portrayal of the Star Trek character represented curiosity, thoughtfulness and an effort to understand others." “His first immediate thought was to consider all angles and to ask questions." “He was even-keeled, respectful, kind to everyone. He encouraged his crew to think…

      AkaSci@fosstodon.orgMastodon13d ago1▲view on Mastodon ↗
  2. background

    Patrick Stewart dies at 86 — Actor Patrick Stewart, who portrayed Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) and various films, died at age 86.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 2 outlets Daily briefing: How Captain Picard inspired today’s scientists

    first by Nature News, 14d ago · also Nature

    1 more headline