He is special, the musicians explain, not merely because of his clarity of vision, authoritative analysis or the mysterious energy of his gestures, but rather because of the way he listens.
Oftentimes, those senior professors are unique in their teaching styles, have an encyclopedic knowledge in their domains, and have acquired an efficient way to communicate with their students.
Most vocal, and probably most damning, was his rival, Albert Sabin, who was quoted as saying, " Salk was a kitchen chemist. He never had an original idea in his life."