About Richard Feynman

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FlatEarth

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Studying QED (Quantum Electro Dynamics) led me to some absolutely terrific interviews with Richard Feynman that I have posted below. If you are unfamiliar with Feynman, I think you will be surprised at how such a genius could be so down to earth. It is said that he was a late talker, beginning to talk at age 3. Also, he was tested with a higher than average IQ of 125, but they didn't discover his true genius until later. So much for IQ scores...

For more on his life:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Feynman

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsgBtOVzHKI[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnzB_IHGyjg[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNOghidK2TY[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvqwm6RbxcQ[/youtube]
 
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drwayne

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When I was an undergrad in physics, watching the films of the Feynman lectures was a definite
"rite of passage" - I remember watching them several times in the student lounge in Sanders physics
at Vassar like it was - day before yesterday. :)

I was also insprired by Feynman to develop certain - hmmmm - lock engineering skills. ;)
 
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FlatEarth

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drwayne":1araseiy said:
When I was an undergrad in physics, watching the films of the Feynman lectures was a definite
"rite of passage" - I remember watching them several times in the student lounge in Sanders physics
at Vassar like it was - day before yesterday. :)

I was also insprired by Feynman to develop certain - hmmmm - lock engineering skills. ;)
Ha! That was a curious fascination with opening locks that he had. :)
 
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drwayne

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And if you didn't have at least one copy of the lectures text then you just weren't serious enough.
:)
 
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emperor_of_localgroup

Guest
FlatEarth":211darci said:
Studying QED (Quantum Electro Dynamics) led me to some absolutely terrific interviews with Richard Feynman that I have posted below. If you are unfamiliar with Feynman, I think you will be surprised at how such a genius could be so down to earth. It is said that he was a late talker, beginning to talk at age 3. Also, he was tested with a higher than average IQ of 125, but they didn't discover his true genius until later. So much for IQ scores...

A few years ago I read a book, IIRC, "You must be joking Mr Feynman". Or some other title like this.

What amazed me was how quickly Feynman picked up new skills. He learned how to sketch in a week.
He got into Brazillian music in a matter of days, or hours.
It seems everything came to him naturally. When we (or I) struggle like a dog to learn some new skill.
He was also very unconventional physicist. Brilliant scientists are generally very reserved and unsocial,
but Feynman was a social butterfly, IMO.
I don't think we'll see more gifted scientists like him very often.
 
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drwayne

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Feynman also is an unfortunate example to some of those who feel that they do not have
to study a field, or even really understand existing work before contributing.

Feynman was able to contribute to a variety of fields of physics, without a lot of background work
in that particular field because (a) He had a very solid background in physics and math and (b) He
was an incredible genius.
 
S

skeptic

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Feyman's unfortunate example is not quite so unfortunate after all, because when he ventured into biology, he messed things up.
 
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yevaud

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emperor_of_localgroup":2pm4tihm said:
A few years ago I read a book, IIRC, "You must be joking Mr Feynman". Or some other title like this.

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!": Adventures of a Curious Character
 
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FlatEarth

Guest
yevaud":3gmuubbx said:
emperor_of_localgroup":3gmuubbx said:
A few years ago I read a book, IIRC, "You must be joking Mr Feynman". Or some other title like this.

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!": Adventures of a Curious Character
This is on my list, after S. Friedman's Flying Saucers and Science! Then it will be jim48's book, UFO America (I think that's the title), whenever he gets around to publishing it. :cool:
 
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a_lost_packet_

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FlatEarth":6dpc5ep0 said:
...Ha! That was a curious fascination with opening locks that he had. :)

IIRC, he exhibited some of those skills while working at Oak Ridge.. on locked items that were supposed to stay locked.. :)
 
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FlatEarth

Guest
a_lost_packet_":k4b8tg91 said:
yevaud":k4b8tg91 said:
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!": Adventures of a Curious Character

One of my favorite moments of that book, someone has been kind enough to put on the 'net:

While a most serious and important visit, this excerpt illustrates how Feynman's approach to life is often very humorous

Gotta love Feynman. :)
...thinking I am a genius.... :lol: :lol:

Thanks for posting the link. I'm looking forward to getting the book. :)
 
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