 What makes Gubelin an outlier in the present day?
They also had a banquet for him, complete with speeches by such bigwigs of the Department of Space Exploration as Academician Lofting Gubelin and Doctor Hans Girard-Perregaux. Doctor Girard-Perregaux was convinced Gubelin would have even worn facial hair, had he but a touch more courage. Gubelin, half angry at his friend's argument, leaned forward to snap rebuttal, but the other was wagging a finger at him negatively. He was drafted into the working force reserves, served his time, and is now free from toil for the balance of his life. Twenty-two others had taken the training with him, and only he and Rod Cameroon had passed the finals. Law prevented him from ever being called up for contributing to the country's labor needs again.
 He still wears glasses and value objects like the gold watch given to Si.
 He is much older than the rest of the population.  He refuses new operations that could improve his health.  His mind is still active, and he values hard work.  He still wears glasses and value objects like the gold watch given to Si.