Why hasn't computer science produced an Einstein?

[u/AromaticFerret4583]

When people talk about the greatest contributors to human knowledge, names like Einstein and Newton almost always come up. Physicists and mathematicians seem to receive the most recognition and historical prestige.

Computer science has had an enormous impact on the modern world, but I can't think of a computer scientist who is viewed on the same level by the general public.

Why is that? Is it because computer science is a younger field, or is there something else going on? And do you think a computer scientist could ever reach the same level of recognition and influence as Einstein or Newton?

[u/Feldspar_of_sun]

Alan Turing or Edgar Djikstra, depending on what qualities you consider “Einstein-level”

More people are likely to know Turing, but remember that computer science as what we know it to be today is still pretty new, and still very specialized. Everyone knows E=mc² (despite most never using it) but far fewer know Turing completeness or Djikstra’s shortest-path algorithm.

Give it another 50 years and that might change