The wizard’s legacy

Frank Wilczek’s references to greater and lesser wizards are true with respect to the Wizard of Oz, a prototype of tricksters who fits the first definition of a wizard. As a grandmother, retired librarian, and fan of the Harry Potter books, I differ with Wilczek’s assessment that fictional conceptions like Harry Potter “tend to legitimize intellectual passivity and wishful thinking.”

In the books, J. K. Rowling’s protagonists must think how to use their skills—albeit magic ones—to solve a series of problems, some of them life threatening. True, wishful thinking has sometimes helped them, but they are actively seeking answers. They have solved problems with the best available information and sought additional information to help as well.

Potter’s being a wizard is different than Don Herbert’s; I agree Herbert was a real-world wizard without peers. Herbert’s magic was twofold: He was not only a scientist but a skilled instructor. His wizardry opened worlds.