Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard. P Feynman
The book on adventures of a curious character, first and foremost, is an edited collection of reminiscences. The book was published back in 1985, and it mostly covers episodes in the author’s life. Most parts of the book are based on a recorded audio conversation Mr. Freyman had with a guitarist by the name of Ralph Leighton. Feynman was a brilliant individual who graduated from MIT with a degree in physics. He was involved in developing the atomic bomb. He then proceeded to lecture at Cornell University and eventually relocated to Caltech, where he spent the better part of his life.
We learn from the book that Dr. Feynman was eager for several different things. His interest majorly was in math, physics, how ants move, lock-picking, music, drawings, and many so many things. The desire and drive to learn so many things in a short while were mesmerizing. He was fond of mathematics at a very early age and found practical examples for them. He firmly believed in actual learning and understanding rather than just knowing the subject. Apart from having a particular interest in math and physics, he also perused philosophy and biology from Princeton University.
His father got him interested in ants, and he went ahead and studied them by performing small experiments if they had a sense of geometry. Feynman further developed an understanding of picking up locks and become part of the Manhattan project where he could crack safes. This skill was attributed to the safety of the atomic bomb that was considered safe. He also developed an interest in playing music and played it at different places, including private parties. He played drums, and the bongos and his music was used professionally by a ballet. Feynman also learned to draw but, at first, never understood the art until he realized it brought pleasure to people. (Feynman, Richard,3)
Richard Feynman’s interest in physics made him the most brilliant physicist of our generation. Architect of quantum theories and enfant terrible of the atomic bomb project Dr. Feynman played a maze-like variety of roles in the science of the post-war era. In his work on quantum electrodynamics, he developed an important tool known as Feynman diagrams to help conceptualize and calculate interactions between particles in space-time, notably the interactions between electrons and their anti-matter counterparts, positrons. (Gleick, Jack)
This beauty about the book was that it was not a science; it was partly entertainment at its best, whether it was fixing radios and blowing up a physics lab while experimenting on a water sprinkler experiment on cracking top secret safes. This side of Dr. Feynman was relatable to millions of people globally together to his closest people and colleagues. The appreciation for Feynman’s peculiarity is detailed in his more philosophical approach to matters science and religion that are well documented in his books. His antics followed him to college when a patient professor guided him. The experience derived from this encounter was nothing that has been felt or done before in the science world. This was more than practical physics but a lesson deep into the physics of life.
However, the upside to this was the lectures cited from the book were not that captivating because they were somewhat eccentric, and it would be a challenge for you to find materials that relate to the principles of physics and its impact on the world. Feynman gave us an insight into how we can use colloquial, no-frills language, and everyday examples; without a doubt, he was one of the first of many that made it famous.
Feynman diagrams are used as visual analogs of the somewhat complicated mathematical expressions that required description on the behavior of systems of interacting particles. The studies have had a significant impact on theoretical physics in the second half of the 20th Century. His desire and drive were to use diagrams to try and illustrate all physics in terms of particles’ spins and fundamental forces, and delve further and to give an explanation concerning the scattering of nucleons.
The upside to this book you will notice is the realization that Mr. Feynman’s life was different due to his casual sexism. What is of most focus is the science of this brilliant person, but we cannot ignore his weaknesses. This is explained in the part when Feynman was a young professor at Cornell; he used to pretend and act as a student so he could get the opportunity to ask undergraduate women out. (Jogalekar, Asutosh,6-15) This type of behavior on the professor’s part warranted for stun disciplinary action. The move was, without a doubt, was distasteful and very wrong.
This book is written in the most straightforward manner that will make it easier for an individual to read. The downside to this is that the author Mr. Dick Feynman makes everything about him, which is rather annoying. The discovery of his hidden talent to amuse others or himself is instead the character exhibited by a self-centered person. He acts like a complete jack ass, and I would recommend a pass.
Work cited
Gleick, James. Genius: Richard Feynman and modern physics. Little, Brown, 1992.
Jogalekar, Asutosh. Richard Feynman, sexism and changing perceptions of a scientific icon
Hutchings, Edward, and Ralph Leighton. “Surely you’-re joking, Mr. Feynman!” Adventures of a curious character.”Leadership 2003 (1997): 06-15.
Feynman, Richard. “Researching Real-World Problems.” Researching Real-World Problems: A Guide to Methods of Inquiry (2005): 3.