Dr. Gregor Shull [The Estonian]

By: Julian Chavez | December 21, 2009 | Ten by Ten

Dr. Gregor Shull is an Estonian–American inventor, author and poet living and working in Mexico City. In 1962, Shull created the first portable electroencephalogram, which enabled nonmedical professionals to record spontaneous electrical activity in the brain.  In the fall of 1979, Shull denounced medicine and relocated to Mexico City where he began a new career as an author and poet. Over a 10-year period he wrote three award-winning novels including the Latin American best-seller y usted, sí, y usted, which went on to sell an astonishing 14 million copies.

What is the most important lesson you’ve ever learned?
Cows only produce a pure lactation once every eight days. So unless you’ve timed the moo cycle correctly, you’re getting significant amounts of toxins and unhealthy proteins in your lactation. Perhaps that’s the reason for so many fat kids in America.

Who is your favorite contemporary artist and why?
Without sounding egomaniacal, I’d like to throw my own hat in the ring on that one.  How many people do you know who’ve invented a device that has changed the world and then went on to write three truly original pieces of art?

What characteristics constitute intelligence?
The three S’s — strength, stamina and style.

How would you describe the current state of American politics?
Peculiar. Like my Grandmother Nonie in Estonia used to say, “Bull on ainult sinu sõber, kui teil on org täis vilja. Pärast seda on ta sinu vaenlane.”

Translation: “The bull is only your friend as long as you have a valley full of grain. After that he is your enemy.”

What do you think is the biggest threat to world peace?
People, always people. If I had to name two, I would start with Carlos Slim. His never-ending quest to dominate the world financial markets has depraved more people than both wars in the Middle East combined.

The other is Steven Spielberg, for obvious reasons. 

What is your definition of success?
The condition of your spirit determines the breadth of your accomplishments.

What do you consider your greatest professional achievement?
The Portable Electroencephalogram, my two greatest books, y usted, sí, y usted, and Yo Soy De Estonia and of course my son, Fidel, without whom I’d be nothing.

Which five people do you most admire and why?
Warren Buffet — financial genius and Slim’s bitter rival
Morgan Tsvangirai — Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and the best of the African leaders
William Shakespeare — I know he’s dead but his work lives on.
Brian McKnight — the best R&B singer in America.
Vicente Fox — A bastion of pride and honor for Latin America

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“If you build it … they will be able to record electrical activity in the brain — on the go.”

I heard this in a dream in 1961. One year later, I changed the world.

How would you define love?
“Yo te quiero, Yo te adoro, tú eres la vaca y yo soy el toro.”

Translation: “I love you, I adore you, you are the cow and I am the bull.”

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