5 ms·

A sad indictment on our times that someone like Feynman would be cancelled today.

• JKCalhoun 5y ago
  How so? I have heard others say that he was sexist. If true isn't it more of a sad indictment of Feynman? But I'd rather focus on the positive things attributed to him and not pull the conversation down to "cancelling" (or whatever the term is today).
  • sanderjd 5y ago
    Hmmm, I don't think I know enough to say. He was definitely a bit of a cad, which is unbecoming for anyone. But what gets people like him "cancelled" is when their targets are people they have power over. Probably the best example that I'm familiar with (because I was a fan of his) is Charlie Rose. Everyone knew he was a womanizer, but what caught up to him was the way he targeted women who worked for him. I don't know enough about Feynman's behavior to say if he was doing that. None of the stories I know of involve students or employees of his, but I also wouldn't be shocked if stories like that are out there.
    • regitempus 5y ago
      https://caltechletters.org/viewpoints/feynman-harassment-science https://caltechletters.org/viewpoints/feynman-harassment-sci... https://thebaffler.com/outbursts/surely-youre-a-creep-mr-feynman-mcneill https://thebaffler.com/outbursts/surely-youre-a-creep-mr-fey...
      • sanderjd 5y ago
        I remember and was shocked by the "bitches" story when I read the book, but I didn't remember the part about the nudes of students or the posing as a an undergraduate. Like I said, not surprising though.