2012 Honoree

Lisa Randall

Professor of Physics, Harvard University; Bestselling Author

“The most notable change in politics in the last few years with respect to women seems to have been the number of very conservative women who have had a lot of attention. Although I often disagree with the politics, I am impressed by the extent they will proceed with what they believe, ignoring their critics.”

What do you think of the media’s portrayal of women?

The world is still at a point where you don’t see enough women in positions of power. So, the very fact of their being women often becomes the focus in the media rather than what they are doing or what they are speaking about. It’s admirable when someone like Angela Merkel gets beyond that. On top of that, the media’s portrayal of women can definitely be improved. Just look at random magazine covers. There just aren’t that many categories for women who get attention in the press. This tends to minimize much of who they are.

Have you seen any changes in the political landscape for women over the past few years? What are they?

The most notable change in politics in the last few years with respect to women seems to have been the number of very conservative women who have had a lot of attention. Although I often disagree with the politics, I am impressed by the extent they will proceed with what they believe, ignoring their critics.

Do you feel the extreme left and right wings of U.S. politics are destroying the United in United States, or is it just healthy debate?

I think it would be hard to describe what we hear today as “healthy debate.” When is the last time we’ve heard a debate which ended with someone saying “You know you’re right.” These aren’t debates. They are people preaching to those who already agree with them. It’s hard to get to truth that way.

Do you feel the decline of religion in the rest of the Western World will have an effect on U.S. society? If so, will it be good or bad?

The decline of religion in the rest of the Western World will probably have very little effect on U.S. society, other than other nations laughing at us a little bit when we choose detrimental policies rather than scientifically sound ones.

Can you tell us about one of the biggest challenges in your life that you think helped you become the person you are today?

I kind of think my life has been a series of challenges I didn’t really notice at the time because I was trying to do what I wanted to do, so I just focused on the task at hand. Later on I became aware of all the friction in moving ahead in ways that are unfamiliar and make people uncomfortable.

Do today’s young people face a bigger challenge than you did?

Today’s young people face different challenges. I’m not sure they are bigger ones.

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I think dinner with a dead person would be kind of dull. Darwin might be interesting though.

What is your favorite book (fiction or nonfiction)?

I hate “favorite” questions. I love many books. So sorry, but I won’t answer this one.