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We remember people for their meaningful contributions, not for _everything_ they did. Take a look at any historical statue, for instance. What does it do? It ca
by JI00912 5y ago
We remember people for their meaningful contributions, not for _everything_ they did. Take a look at any historical statue, for instance. What does it do? It captures some moment in time that we find significant. That thing becomes something we can look up to and strive to emulate. Whatever else that person was doesn't matter. What matters is what we can take away, learn, emulate and incorporate. It may not be the entire truth, but it is what is useful.
The same line of reasoning can be applied to this blog. Has the author ever done something selfish, irresponsible, criminal, etc? There's probably something. But none of that has any effect on the content of the text.
- geofft 5y agoSure, but the author is arguing that we do in fact remember Feynman for everything he did and documented in Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman, including the negative things, and that people have looked up to and tried to emulate all of his behavior, and that it's left an unfortunate impact on the culture of his institution and his field.