In Episode 18, Erik Lindahl reminds us that despite our dependence on computational power and advanced technology, real breakthroughs are often waiting for those who have the patience to think carefully, come up with eye-opening ideas, and follow their sense of purpose. We discuss the different ways to be smart in science, highlighting the paradoxical need for both complexity and simplicity in thinking, and talk about what kind of questions in biology will keep us all busy for decades to come. Finally, Erik shares the story behind his series of lectures on concepts in molecular biophysics, a great component of the curriculum of every scientist in the field.