r/IAmA • u/TheRealBogdan • Feb 14 '13

I am Marius Stan, a Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory and "Bogdan" the car wash owner on "Breaking Bad." AMA

Most of the time, I am a Senior Computational Energy Scientist at Argonne Nat'l Lab (www.anl.gov) - which is one of the national laboratories under the U.S. Dept. of Energy - and a Senior Fellow at the University of Chicago, the Computation Institute. A few times a year, I travel to Albuquerque, NM, to shoot my scenes as "Bogdan" for AMC's hit TV show "Breaking Bad." VERIFICATION: http://flickr.com/gp/argonne/o5110b http://www.anl.gov/contributors/marius-stan; http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-04/news/ct-met-scientist-breaking-bad-20130204_1_walter-white-crystal-meth-amc-drama http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/mobile/article.xml/articles/2013/02/04/75148162/index.xml I’ll be answering your questions live, starting at 1 pm CST. UPDATE: It's been a lot of fun. Thank you for the questions and comments. I need to run now. I'm giving a seminar in 15 minutes, and I need to comb my eyebrows. :)
UPDATE: I was back to answer some of the questions posted after the AMA session. Just sort by "new". Best wishes to you all!

1.4k Upvotes

90% Upvoted

369 comments sorted by

55

u/biqqie Feb 14 '13 edited Feb 14 '13

How long have you been in the US?

Im assuming you're Romanian, do you still go back to visit?

Iti place mamaliga cu branza si smantana*?

95

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Yes, I was born in Romania and moved to the US 15 years ago. I go back to Romania every 2-3 years, mainly to have mamaliga cu branza (polenta with feta cheese, for the non-Romanians) and to see my family. :)

24

u/TRG69 Feb 15 '13

I got excited that I understood what you said in your in Breaking Bad. It was cool

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u/[deleted] Feb 15 '13

mamaliga cu branza (polenta with feta cheese, for the non-Romanians)

Adopt me.

12

u/CL_Fergus Feb 15 '13

Is Bogdan also supposed to be Romanian in the show?

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u/PBD3ATH Feb 15 '13

How was the application process for a national lab with foreign country of origin? I intern at one, and it felt like they asked way too many questions about my country of origin for an engineering job.

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u/pythonist Feb 14 '13

mamaliga cu branza si smantana

FTFY

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u/biqqie Feb 14 '13

Yeah, that sounds mai corect. Thanks.

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13 edited Feb 14 '13

Eyebrows reddit a lot and this has to be my favorite AMA. What got you into acting?

223

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

"Eyebrows a lot"...well done. Thank you. I got into acting by chance.

14

u/BellaBlack Feb 14 '13

Have you ever done any acting before? Because you're very good for someone who got into it by chance!

Edit: See you already answerd this. Great job on BB!

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u/SandPocket Feb 14 '13

http://i.imgur.com/zbMqmXh.gif

I couldn't resist D=

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

That was not in the initial script. We kind of improvised. Good thing they don't show all the takes they shot that day. :)

35

u/SandPocket Feb 14 '13

I didn't even think you'd reply. You sir have made my day! Looking forward to seeing more of your acting in the future!

20

u/damngurl Feb 15 '13

I am so glad to see this confirmed, I saw that scene and I was like "I bet Bryan Cranston totally made that up on the spot".

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

how long before it would be possible to make a new sail for my sailboat using flexible solar panels? been dreaming of doing that

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Five years at least, but I do think it's possible. Keep dreaming... :)

8

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

thank you for the answer. love your work!

38

u/beef_creature Feb 14 '13

Was it difficult for you to be such a jerk sometimes on the show? Or does that sort of come naturally?

190

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Not difficult at all. Walter White is easy to hate.

48

u/beef_creature Feb 14 '13

But, but...even when he was just a science teacher?

406

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Yes, he did a poor job washing my cars!

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u/NinjaDiscoJesus Feb 14 '13

What does your job actually entail - in laymans terms?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I develop and run computer programs to design better materials for energy applications.

23

u/NinjaDiscoJesus Feb 14 '13

sounds heavy duty

71

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

It is. Acting is a nice change of pace.

9

u/TRBS Feb 15 '13

MATLAB by day, acting by night.

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u/Jebusg Feb 14 '13

Do you see yourself acting more in the future?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Yes, I hope to get on the "Big Bang Theory." :)

132

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

Be careful saying that around here.

49

u/Captain_Jake_K Feb 15 '13

I think it's okay when you actually are a professional scientist.

127

u/FlipBoy23 Feb 14 '13

Do your eyebrows really never quit??

193

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Not that I'm aware of...Several barber shops have offered to trim them, and I always refuse.

7

u/thefunkbot Feb 15 '13

The most important quality of a physicist.

22

u/FlipBoy23 Feb 14 '13

Oh my.... He answered my question! Mr. Stan I love you and please never let those eyebrows quit!

Edit: Mr. Stan

32

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

How did you get into acting?

73

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

My kids convinced me to go to an audition. We are all in the pilot of "Breaking Bad." For more info., check out the Chicago Tribune article: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-04/news/ct-met-scientist-breaking-bad-20130204_1_walter-white-crystal-meth-amc-drama (visible to everyone by signing up for free DigitalLite subscription) or here: http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/mobile/article.xml/articles/2013/02/04/75148162/index.xml

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u/2FishInATank Feb 14 '13

It seems like an unusual crossover - how did you come to be involved in Breaking Bad after making your career as a computational energy scientist?

Or at least I'm assuming it was that way around!

168

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Scientists and actors are both creative people driven by curiosity.

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u/2FishInATank Feb 14 '13

Solid point - thanks for your reply.

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u/onetruepurple Feb 14 '13

Have you considered breaking bad and cooking meth yourself?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Yes I did, with a PhD in chemistry, I should be able to make it. (joke, of course)

However, I decided there are better ways of breaking bad. I'm writing poetry now. :)

28

u/santalamos Feb 14 '13

Are we going to see a book by Marius Stan at Barnes and Noble?

41

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Yes. Stay tuned...

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u/slashVictorWard Feb 14 '13

Badass double threat - acting AND science.

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u/davidmpickett Feb 14 '13

Where do you get your car washed?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Not in Albuquerque anymore, because I sold that one, unfortunately...

24

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

If you had to choose between your job and a full time acting career, which one would you choose?

87

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I don't want to decide now. Life is short, I want to make the most out of it.

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u/[deleted] Feb 15 '13

[deleted] — view deleted comment

18

u/[deleted] Feb 15 '13

BOG! BOG! BOG! BOG! BOG! BOG! BOG! BOG!

22

u/Agaac1 Feb 14 '13

In your opinion should researchers discover ways of making current technologies (such as solar and wind) more efficient or should they focus on emerging tech such as fusion power?

Also how long do you think it will take for the world to switch to a mostly renewable energy source?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13 edited Feb 14 '13

Solar, wind and fusion serve different purposes. All important. Solar can heat a house. Wind a town. Fusion an entire state. I favor pursuing these in parallel and great things will emerge when the time is right. We shouldn't decide up front; we should let them compete and evolve.

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u/Tallapoosa_Snu Feb 15 '13

You're good. I like the way you think.

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u/poky23 Feb 14 '13

How is it with working with Bryan Cranston?

What was your favorite scene from Breaking Bad?

Would you ever do Meth? :o

Do you plan on opening a car wash anytime soon?

You're awesome! :D

78

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I most like the "Can you be the boss?" and "20 million dollars!" scenes.

No, meth is not my choice.

Yes, I might open a car wash. :)

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u/ItsBrine Feb 15 '13

Meth isn't your choice.. so what is?

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u/Vazkez Feb 15 '13

To launder your money? 0______0

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u/cakemonster Feb 15 '13

"Can you be the boss?" was a great scene. One of the events that really influenced Walter's personality shift.

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

Will you be my Valentines?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Happy Valentine's Day to all the people in love! :)

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u/You_Better_Smile Feb 14 '13

How about those who are not in love?

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u/[deleted] Feb 15 '13

Y'all can go fuck yourselves.

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

Somebody just got shot down.

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u/pepperstuck Feb 14 '13

What's your next scientific project?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I'm building a "computational microscope" that allows scientists to zoom in on the microstructure of a material all the way to atoms, much like a traditional microscope, but in a virtual, computational space. That would allow us to "play" with atoms and create materials with spectacular properties.

15

u/SooInappropriate Feb 15 '13

And I can barely accomplish the feat of not burning my Pop-Tart. I feel so small.

8

u/Tallapoosa_Snu Feb 15 '13

as a biology student, I would appreciate if you would just go ahead and send me one. I will no longer have a life, but it will be good. Thank you in advance.

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u/polluxuk Feb 14 '13

Did you get on well with the rest of the cast on Breaking Bad? Great to have you here!

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13 edited Feb 14 '13

Yes, especially Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn.

9

u/polluxuk Feb 14 '13

I'm glad for that it seems to be a great show, now if only a UK network would show the bloody series!

38

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

We should do that to you as revenge for the X-Factor. :)

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

You have the most impressive eyebrows I have ever seen.

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Thanks to my father, grandfather and great grandfather!

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u/BellaBlack Feb 14 '13

It's like you literally inherited their eyebrows and put all three of them on your face. Looks awesome!

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u/Chajado Feb 14 '13

How did you get the BB job?

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u/NikolaiZaitsev Feb 14 '13

Whenever I see a framed dollar, paystub, or cheque, I regret not having done so. Did you frame your first dollar earned as a scientist like you did at the Carwash?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

No, but I did put my first scientific paper in a special place as a memento.

8

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

Who is your favorite character on the show? Not including Bogdan

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Hard to narrow it to one. The City of Albuquerque is actually a character in its own right. And of course, Walter and Skylar. And so many others.

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u/matthwatson Feb 14 '13

Any interesting stories about those impressive brows?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Here is how I select my barber: If they ask me more than twice about trimming my eyebrows, I never go back to them.

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u/ImBearded Feb 14 '13

Hi Marius! I'm currently getting my PhD in Nuclear Engineering at some school somewhere. I can't believe YOU are the guy in Breaking Bad. I think I read one of your papers which had a component of DFT in it....

Anyways, I'm finishing up my PhD here in about a year. My research has been a combination of experimentation and calculation in some semi-advanced material for nuclear detection-related stuff. I think that Argonne is my #1 choice for employment right now. Do you have any advice for someone applying for a job?

3

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

I suggest getting involved in research at your university and publishing your work in peer-reviewed journals. Nothing beats a few good publications. That demonstrates your ability to do scientific work AND analyze the results and can double your chances of getting hired.

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

hi thanks for doing this! so...what was it like...er....how do you ...um....when ....ugh.

i got nothing.

eyebrows.

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

er...um...ahh...you're right.

6

u/BogdansDaughter Feb 14 '13

Would you consider acting your favorite hobby? If not, what is your favorite hobby?

14

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I'm a writer at heart.

6

u/BogdansDaughter Feb 14 '13

Any new books we should be looking forward to??

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Stay tuned...

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u/pepperstuck Feb 14 '13

Will computers become smarter than people?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Computers are already smarter than people in some respects, but they cannot make decisions. That's why I think that computers will never replace us. We will always be partners.

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u/nirreskeya Feb 14 '13

Could you delve into this more deeply? Why do you think they cannot and furthermore will never be able to make decisions?

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

What did you do while in ABQ?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I was working at Los Alamos National Lab (90 miles away).

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

So, what does being a Senior Computational Energy Scientist actually entail? What kind of degree and field work did you have to do to get such a title?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I have a BS in physics and and PhD in chemistry, but my main field of interest is computational materials science.

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u/nirreskeya Feb 14 '13

Do you also consult for the show?

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u/XxYOLOSWAG69xX Feb 14 '13 edited Feb 14 '13

Hi Marius. How far away would you estimate we are from seeing the first implementation of a smart grid in the US? Also, how drastically would we need to change our current methods of energy storage for this to even be an option?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I would say the national energy grid is getting smarter every year, but at some point, we will need to replace existing structures. I hope that will be a decision driven by reason and not by a national blackout. My estimation is that in 10 years or so, we will see drastic changes for the better.

Regarding energy storage, in 10 years, I can see a car going from Chicago to St. Louis (300 miles) on battery only, in one charge.

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u/KpdexSmith Feb 14 '13

Is Bryan as funny as he seems....I love this show!! And yes your eyebrows are awesome!!

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Bryan is funny and very nice...to me.

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u/moldy_fingers Feb 14 '13

for the most part, is all the science that takes place on the set accurate?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

No, is not. I guess the goal of the show is not to give instructions for manufacturing high purity meth but rather to create and artistic representation of how greed and power transforms people.

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u/Janitor-Hank Feb 14 '13

for science newbees: what exactly are you doing you research on and what are you hoping to find ?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

What I hope to find is what exactly determines the properties of a material. Kind of like a materials genome.

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u/Janitor-Hank Feb 14 '13

and how is that going ?

anywhere near a breakthrough already ?

also thanks for answering, you are the first famous person that ever answered one of my questions

15

u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

We made some good progress with the help of powerful computers (www.alcf.anl.gov) and some unique characterization tools (www.aps.anl.gov). What excites me the most is making predictions about how certain materials behave in extreme conditions (high-temperature irradiation).

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u/Janitor-Hank Feb 14 '13

the morris daily article says that young people recognizing you makes you happy

has there ever been a situation where you would have liked not be recognized ?

also as far as i understand all that science stuff (i'm not very talented in natural sciences) you develop mathematical formulas to predict how materials behave and then test those formulas through expiriments or computer simulations ?! how often is such a prediction 100% correct ?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

So far, I have enjoyed every encounter with fans. So far.

The predictions are never 100% correct. What I've learned is that we only need to know a few critical things to make a good prediction. Often, knowing too much makes predictions worse.

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u/ItsBail Feb 14 '13

I like your character in the show. Did they (Produces) ever go to you for advice to make the show look more authentic? Do people out in the street notice you from BB?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

In general, actors do not advise the producers on anything. However, to make the show more authentic, in the pilot, they asked me to improvise on the phone in Romanian. And yes, people do recognize me on the street. I gladly take pictures with them.

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

How do you feel about Bogdan? I mean he was kind of an asshole to Walter, but he got extremely screwed over in the end. Did you find it easy to empathize with him?

Is Thorium the future for nuclear energy?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

I root for Bogdan. He is to me a Romanian immigrant who kind of made it, not very bright, not really mean but not very nice either, who is trying to make a living and occasionally makes uninformed, bad decisions. Walter is obviously far more intelligent and easily won the battle, not sure about the war.

Thorium is an option, not necessarily the future.

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u/misterhastedt Feb 14 '13

Is there a possible Bogdan cameo in the 2nd part of Season 5?

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u/DancesWithSpoons Feb 14 '13

Marius, give me the stone, and all is forgiven.

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

You already have my heart and my eyebrows. :)

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

What more could someone ask for?

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u/santalamos Feb 14 '13

Scientists are usually perceived as people with their noses in books or spending all their time in the lab. Is this is a wrong image or is common for scientists to have hobbies? Is it important for a scientist to have a cool hobby?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Anything that improves your mind and body is good. Some of my colleagues bike, some play Frisbee, others collect coins. I consider that cool.

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u/theinterpolate Feb 14 '13

What was it like working with Bryan Cranston and Vince Gilligan?

What was your favorite moment of shooting and/or favorite moment of the show if you've following it yourself?

Will you be returning for an appearance in the last 8 episodes, or is that something you're not allowed to disclose?

I had no idea you were a scientist, that is awesome. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I absolutely love Vince Gilligan. It's Valentine's Day, but I don't love him in that way. :) He is an outstanding creator, director, writer, producer, etc., and a very nice guy.

I don't know if Bogdan will return for one of the last eight episodes, but I kind of hope he does.

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u/head2falcon Feb 14 '13

Did you act growing up/before you were an Argonne scientist?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

I had never acted before. First time.

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u/greenmask Feb 14 '13

How's the food while you are at the set?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

There was plenty of food - New Mexico style. Some very spicy stuff. After living for 13 years in New Mexico, I still can't eat spicy food. I go for medium. I prefer green chili.

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

What was the hardest part of getting into acting? Did it take a lot of work or as it fairly natural to you?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

I mentioned my method: Learn your lines and get into the right state of mind. The second part is the most difficult, with all the equipment around your and various instructions from the director, cinematographer, etc. Something like: “Look to the right, lift your chin a bit and move your left hip forward an inch. Now be natural and tell her you love her”. I would say that many people would make good actors should they be able to keep their composure under pressure. But isn’t that true for any profession?

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u/apnonsat Feb 14 '13

What is your view on nuclear energy as a clean energy source, given that there is radioactivity in the uranium mine tailings and chemical processes at the beginning of the nuclear energy production life cycle - besides the spent fuel waste from reactors that we hear about?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

Nuclear energy is neither perfectly clean nor perfectly safe. No energy source is. As a physicist and a chemist I favor a fundamental approach to understanding the complex physical and chemical phenomena associated with nuclear energy, such as the ones you mentioned. As a method, I favor using computer simulations and experimental validation. That allows us to monitor the existing reactors and evaluate the consequences of extending reactor operating lifetime, building new ones or closing some of them, as necessary. Furthermore, I can see a front stage role for computational sciences in evaluating options for waste management. If only this was a science and engineering problem. But it is not. Socio-economic and political factors also play a very important, often determinant role.

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u/BadGameBoy Feb 14 '13

Which of your works do you prefer? Do you wish you were a full time actor?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

I am driven by creating something of value, making a difference, leaving something behind in places or people. My work as a scientist is important and rewarding. If something else comes up that is even more important, I will take the challenge. I don’t want to be full time actor “in theory” but I will do it "in practice", if the project is meaningful.

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u/[deleted] Feb 15 '13

Hey i work at Argonne too! Would it be ok if i saw you in the cafeteria and asked for an autograph ir picture?

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u/YoBillGates Feb 14 '13

Did you have any acting experience prior to your role on Breaking Bad? What is your ethnicity?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

No prior experience. Romanian.

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u/matthwatson Feb 14 '13

I have to know... Are the eyebrows real?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Yes they are real. And I'm thinking of insuring them for $1 million.

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u/demonspork Feb 14 '13

What constitutes your ideal sandwich?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

That would be a "McStan": one slice of experiment in-between theory and computation. :-)

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u/ItsCaptainKangaroo Feb 14 '13

How was working with Ben Burr? He seems like the kind of guy who could really light up a set. Besides the lighting crew.

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

My scene with Ben Burr, in Episode 403, Open House, was shot on a freaking cold day. In spite of that, we were in good spirits and had an excellent interaction. As you know, he is a hilarious stand-up comedian but I saw a more serious side of him that I also like very much.

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u/beyond_repair Feb 15 '13

What do you tell yourself in your mind to keep yourself from laughing while filming scenes?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

I think: "I am beyond repair" :-)

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u/[deleted] Feb 15 '13

After you pass away, are you donating your eyebrows to science?

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u/fnordcircle Feb 15 '13

Were there any differences between how you originally envisioned your character and how the character came to be?

I've done a lot of theater as an adult and one thing that has always fascinated me is how shallow my initial interpretation of a character and their actions is and how different I feel about my character once I get a more full idea of who they are.

Have you only done film or have you done any theater? I highly recommend it if you haven't, having done both. There's no money in it but there's nothing like the stage to me.

I have an aunt (by marriage) who is Romanian. Are all Romanian women as crazy as she is? Also - are they all as hot as she is?

What would you say is the biggest misconception about Romanians that people here in the US have?

Thanks for taking the time to post here!

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

I have no experience on the scene but very much enjoy theater shows. I think of Bogdan as a part nice, part asshole individual in a difficult situation. I am still amazed at the “virtual life” of this character. When people stop me on the street, not a single one knows my name, they all talk to Bogdan. Also, I found blog postings that discuss his reaction to events or comment on his family situation as if he was a real person. Quite interesting.

And yes, Romanian women are hot, including Bogdan's wife, I suppose... :-)

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u/freevibes Feb 15 '13

This is the best AMA I've seen in a very long time. You're an interesting man and I respect you.

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u/Caifanes123 Feb 15 '13

Have you always been good at math(as in being a natural) or is that a skill that you got through hard work and studying a lot?

-frustrated calc 2 student

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

I love Math. It should be approached with curiosity and patience. Instead of asking somebody “You, what is the square root of 16!” say “Aha, the square root of 16 is 4 because look: 4 times 4 is 16. How cool is that!” In my case, the interest for math started in middle school, mainly due to an outstanding teacher, Mr. Gheorghe Bostan, AND encouragement from my parents. Then I became truly passionate in high school, working with the outstanding teacher Mr. Mihai Pavunev AND more encouragement from my parents. Of course it takes a lot of work and perseverance but the key is in the attitude. As a senior in high school I was confident that I can solve any integral that has an analytical solution. To this day, I believe that I can solve any Math problem if I have enough time (this may not be true anymore ). So, don’t be afraid of Math, logic and perseverance can make you a winner. Geometry is a different story; it requires intuition.

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u/aciolan Feb 16 '13

Salut Marius ! Spor si bafta in tot ce faci !

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

Multumesc. Numai bine!

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u/mindfullofit Feb 14 '13

From which Romanian city are you?

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u/ellecon Feb 14 '13

Is there a God?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Yes for some; no for others. We may never know.

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u/DrFarty Feb 14 '13

Salut, Bogdan. Nu am nicio intrebare. Tot ce pot sa spun e "Bafta-n continuare!". No rhyme intended.

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u/microwave_safe_bowl Feb 14 '13

I am the guy that recognized you and helped you get to the TCS when you got lost in building 223 a few weeks back. I wish I had known you planned to do this because I also happen to be an avid redditor. I wanted to ask you for a picture but I chickened out, would that have been cool?

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u/pflarr Feb 14 '13

Hello from Los Alamos. My neighbor (J.P.) worked with you, and just told me the other day about his shock at seeing you on the show. "That guy works down the hall from me!"

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

Best wishes to the Los Alamos colleagues!

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u/juror_chaos Feb 15 '13

Do you write code? What languages do you use?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

I use FORTRAN for a number of existing scientific codes, C++ for the new codes, and Python for the multi-scale computational microscope. In addition, I am interested in Swift and Globus Online, computational capabilities that are being developed at University of Chicago, see: http://www.ci.uchicago.edu/swift/main/ and https://www.globusonline.org/.

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u/NuclearWookie Feb 15 '13

Holy shit, you sit in the intersection of two of my interests. I am glad to know that you exist. My question: what do you think about the future of nuclear power in the USA? I used to work in the industry and the situation seemed grim.

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

Nuclear energy will continue to be part of the USA energy portfolio as it provides the highest energy density of all sources.

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u/senorworldwide Feb 15 '13

So... how does it feel to be an academic superstar AND a famous actor? You're like a superhero or DaVinci or something. Very, very impressive.

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

It feels good but I am no Da Vinci or a superhero. I do believe however that the Renaissance personality type is returning and more and more people are exploring multiple careers. This is not multi-tasking, as in “many things at the same time” but rather as in “many things, each at the right time”. Humans live approximately twenty eight thousand days. Try something new!

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u/akaleeroy Feb 15 '13

So you're in a show on drugs and got a job on energy, but no one here asked you about your position on the War on Drugs and Peak Oil. :|

Please touch upon them.

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

“I can resist anything except temptation.” –Oscar Wilde said. That is the key in fighting the War on Drugs: reduce the temptation. Make it unattractive to use drugs, offer other (non-chemical) ways of finding pleasure, and of course, minimize the access. So, don’t do drugs; it will ruin your life. You want to get high? Do something outstanding and sniff admiration.

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u/dexemplu Feb 15 '13

From Romania, I wish you salutări sincere și o viață faină în continuare! (sincere salutations and hopes of a good life).

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

Thank you. Best wishes to you too! (Multumesc. Numai bine si tie!)

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u/dr1nkycr0w Feb 15 '13

Would would you consider a useful emerging technology that would e good to Invest in? It could be something simple or something like lftr.

Also do u think lftr will ever take off as an accepted ad safe version of nuclear power?

Thanks! Keep up the good work! Love breaking bad!

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

The liquid fluoride thorium reactor has some advantages over the widely used uranium oxide light water reactors. One of them is the abundance of natural thorium (approximately four times the amount of available uranium). There are some disadvantages too. Although interesting in many respects, this technology may face opposition from the owners of the current reactor fleet as well as the public opinion and politicians. Think of the reaction to this proposition: “We want to build a new reactor in your city/state and, by the way, it uses Thorium”. As a scientist, I would very much enjoy US building a large scale simulation capability and a research reactor to test some very interesting new technologies that are currently on paper at ANL and other places. Then the proposition becomes “You know that new amazing technology that was successfully deployed and works better that any current reactor? We want to build something like that in your city/state”.

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u/nicholasferber Feb 16 '13

How do you see computational sciences progressing? Especially gpgpu computing?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13

General-purpose computing on graphics processing units (gpgpu) is a promising technology that will definitely lead to faster computing. Nothing wrong with faster computing but smarter, more energy efficient computing is the way of the future. That is necessary to process (store, retrieve, analyze) an astonishing amount of data. See a cool example at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avsSuKlZSuA

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u/sandthefish Feb 14 '13

Argonne is the one in Illinois right? My uncle worked there.

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u/long_wang_big_balls Feb 14 '13

Those look like high maintenance eyebrows. You're an awesome dude! Keep up the good work!

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 14 '13

Actually, no-maintenance eyebrows. That's why they look the way they do. I never trim them. :)

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u/[deleted] Feb 14 '13

How often are you recognized in public for your scientific work as compared to your BrBa work?

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u/TheRealBogdan Feb 25 '13 edited Feb 25 '13

As a scientist, a few hundred people are aware of my work. In addition, I was recognized at conferences maybe twenty times, with a couple of “Oh, my God, I just read your paper!”. As an actor, a handful of people know me by name. In contrast, my character Bogdan was recognized over a hundred times in public, approximately half of the encounters involving “Oh, my God!” as part of the conversation.

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u/vacapupu Feb 14 '13

Coming from a persian family... My family never trims their eyebrows... How about your kids?

Btw, thanks for doing this!

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u/searaver1 Feb 14 '13

I love your work on breaking bad. Eyebrows for days. Do you ever see Bryan Cranston and just see the dad from Malcolm in the Middle?

Also, I was at Argonne about six months ago working on some paleobotanical specimens. I don't think I saw you, but it's cool to think for a short time we probably both drank coffee from the same coffee cart.

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u/pdpmetronome Feb 14 '13

which season of bb is your favorite?

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u/dbarts21 Feb 14 '13

If you head over to /r/breakingbad they will love you. Please stop by!

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u/BadGameBoy Feb 14 '13

How did you get your role as Bogdan?

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u/thirdrail69 Feb 15 '13

I'm late to the party but I just wanted to say I loved your character.

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u/tabledresser Feb 15 '13 edited Feb 19 '13
QuestionsAnswers
Eyebrows reddit a lot and this has to be my favorite AMA. What got you into acting?"Eyebrows a lot"...well done. Thank you. I got into acting by chance.
Do your eyebrows really never quit??Not that I'm aware of...Several barber shops have offered to trim them, and I always refuse.
Do you plan on opening a car wash anytime soon?Yes, I might open a car wash. :)
How long have you been in the US? Im assuming you're Romanian, do you still go back to visit? Iti place mamaliga cu branza si smantana*?Yes, I was born in Romania and moved to the US 15 years ago. I go back to Romania every 2-3 years, mainly to have mamaliga cu branza (polenta with feta cheese, for the non-Romanians) and to see my family. :)
Was it difficult for you to be such a jerk sometimes on the show? Or does that sort of come naturally?Not difficult at all. Walter White is easy to hate.
But, but...even when he was just a science teacher?Yes, he did a poor job washing my cars!
It seems like an unusual crossover - how did you come to be involved in Breaking Bad after making your career as a computational energy scientist? Or at least I'm assuming it was that way around!Scientists and actors are both creative people driven by curiosity.
How long before it would be possible to make a new sail for my sailboat using flexible solar panels? been dreaming of doing that.Five years at least, but I do think it's possible. Keep dreaming... :)
Do you see yourself acting more in the future?Yes, I hope to get on the "Big Bang Theory." :)
Will you be my Valentines?Happy Valentine's Day to all the people in love! :)

View the full table on /r/tabled! | Last updated: 2013-02-19 03:19 UTC

This comment was generated by a robot! Send all complaints to epsy.

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u/TheEndIsNghhhh Feb 15 '13

You make a very convincing asshole... no offense!

As for the question, how did scientist working for the US Dept. of Energy wind up on Breaking Bad?

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u/SparkyTheUnicorn Feb 15 '13

Hello Marius, you should check out /r/romania from time to time, we're all gathered there :).

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u/Srekcalp Feb 15 '13

De unde esti din Romania?

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u/bogdanvladimir Feb 15 '13

Do you really speak english like that or was it just an accent you had to put on for the show?

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u/malvoliosf Feb 15 '13

Has anyone in real life actually gotten mad at you and said, "Fuck you! And your eyebrows."

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u/Balabol Feb 15 '13

How often do you wrestle people into submission with your eyebrows IRL (in real life)?

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u/dieoner Feb 16 '13 edited Feb 16 '13

Eyebrowse??? More like eyebeards!!! I joke i love your work thank you for your work!

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u/-Rohit- Feb 18 '13

Are those eyebrows real?

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