Adam, someone who goes out on a limb throughout his career can still be ambitious - for his own project, not necessarily ambitious for position or wealth. Another example is that of an 'obsessive' artist, especially one who eventually is recognized. Such a career may be viewed as obsessive from the outside, but to anyone in the know it is persistence of vision towards an understood goal. That's ambitious in my book.

Just a quibble of course, but it resonates with those who work long and hard at projects which aren't mainstream, or don't get quick or easy payoffs.

BTW if I hear more about his angle on extrasolar planets, I'll let you know ..

Daniel