1999年初,美国著名的作品代理人约翰·布罗克曼在“边缘”网站提出问题,征询回答:“过去2000年最伟大的发明是什么?为什么?”许多科学家包括诺贝尔奖得主、思想家及企业家踊跃参加,他们的回答五花八门,从中反映出当代精英人物对历史、文化独特的审视及丰富多彩的内心世界。 At the beginning of 1999, the famous American agent John Brockman raised a question on the “edge” website and asked for answers: “What was the greatest invention of the past 2000 years and why?” Many scientists included Nobel Prize winners, thinkers and Entrepreneurs enthusiastically participated and their responses were varied, reflecting the unique historical and cultural perspectives of contemporary elites and the rich and varied inner world.