Why Feynman?
The astute reader will quickly notice that the design of this site is influenced to no small degree by one of my heroes, Richard P. Feynman. I keep Feynman’s books in my home, bag, and office. I frequently quote him and use his work to draw my own analogies. My reasons are simple and personal; Feynman helps me to be a better person. Even though I never met the man and he passed 20 years ago, he’s still the most effective teacher I’ve ever had.
Yes, Feynman was an undeniable genius. Yes, he was a bit of a self-admitted scoundrel. It’s those qualities and his very approach to the world, his deep sense of scientific and educational morality, and his reputation as the “Great Explainer” that inspire me the most. I believe that while the common definition of a hero is someone that exhibits outstanding courage and nobility, the most important characteristic of a hero is their ability to inspire. Richard Feynman certainly meets those qualifications as far as I’m concerned.
A good friend and former boss of mine once did as other bosses have in the past and took me aside for some coaching. He said, ”Greg, you are a dragon among sheep.” and he was speaking, of course, about my tendency to get frustrated and upset when I don’t feel like those around me are “getting it”. His message was clear and since that brief, candid coaching I’ve tried to find ways to keep those frustrations in check. Ultimately, I’ve come to realize that it’s okay to be frustrated and it’s okay to be upset, but it’s important to express that only within the context of a respect for others (even if I sometimes fail at doing so).
As I get a little older and I move along my professional career arc, I will continue to strive and molt away the scales of the dragon. It’s difficult to make those sorts of fundamental changes. Not because I fear change. Quite the contrary! It’s often because I wonder silently if it’s too late to make the change and history will record me as the dragon rather than the man. The people I respect the most are those that have high personal standards and go out of their way to offer something substantial to the world and to others. People like Richard Feynman, my brother Joel, and many of my friends. With their help, maybe I can make those changes and be a little more like them. In return, I promise to help them learn to snort a little fire every now and again.
Comments
Feynman’s work in physics is one of the reasons I’m currently working on my own physics degree. I recently read The Pleasure of Finding Things Out and found many of his essays inspiring. I look forward to the day (which should be soon) that I can fully understand the math behind his Quantum Electrodynamics theory. =)
Hit me up the next time you visit Houston, yo.
Posted by Brian Bush on Aug 13, 2008
This is quite eloquently written…
Posted by on Sep 30, 2008
heh.. i meant that about the new(er) post RE: managing reward systems. Although, this bit about Feynman will make me go get one of his books, so it has som’n going for it, too.
Posted by on Sep 30, 2008