Surely You Are Joking Mr. Feynman

Question 1

Richard Feynman was a well renowned physician in his era and was known for his works relating to those of Albert Einstein. Richard could have accomplished more had he been more serious. One example is where it is stated that he dwelt more on the past rather than on more innovative ideas. Another one is by the fact that he wasted a lot of time concentrating on family issues. The last one is by knowing that he used very little time in the laboratory.

Question 2

Feynman was more relaxed than it was expected of a scientist. For a scientist like him, I expected him to be more articulate in his study of science. Once again this is proved by the minimal hours spent in the lab, the little respect that he gave to the future but rather was content with what was available. Another example is by concentrating more on personal issues rather than scientific ones.

Question 3

Feynman’s success in the field of science was attributed to his increased focus towards the climax of his career. This is stated in the book that he increased his focus in due time. There was also the influence of fellow scientists and finally the family members.

Question 4

Feynman did not do science as per my expectation. In the book it is stated that he spent very little time researching. We are also told that he focused more on the past rather than on the future. Moreover, his work was expected to yield more as he worked with the concepts of Einstein.

Question 5

Feynman was not the way that I expect scientists to be. He was not diligent enough to carry out work alone. Moreover, he could not work without the required push from his peers. Another example that proves this is that he could not work without the role modeling of Einstein.

Question 6

Feynman could have succeeded in a non scientific field. This was due to the fact that he spent very little time in the laboratory and enjoyed outdoor activities. Other fields do not require much concentration and Feynman did not offer it hence could have succeeded outside there.

Question 7

Feynman could not have been as happy as he was in the non scientific field as he was in the scientific. This was because he did not have role models outside the field of science. He could not have enjoyed as he was just lazy but loved the science environment.

Question 8

Feynman did not find science coming easily for him. This can be cited from the fact that he always waited for ideas from the many books that he read about Einstein. It also did not come easy for him as all he did science for was due to the small amount of insight that he had. This was also detrimental in that his ability to think independently was curtailed.

Question 9

Science was work of play for Feynman in the prior years to his serious work. This can be cited from the fact that he spent a very small amount of time in the laboratory. Another example is the amount of money that he dedicated in purchasing science material. Also he did not observe all the rules of a scientist such as the procedures of carrying out experiments.

Question 10

If I had the ability I could not like a life like that of Feynman. This was due to the fact that he was not serious in his work. He wasted a lot of time that could have been used doing important research for the field of science. If I had the ability I could utilize my intellectual ability more than he did.

Question 11

Feynman did science just to earn a living. This can be found in the fact that he spent more time with his family. Also a point in the book states that his family started to face problems as he became lazier and thus he worked harder to maintain it. Another example is where there is little amount of attention that he used to offer to science as compared to other scientists.

Question 12

What I found most surprising in his learning of science was his unwillingness to use his talent. This is as it is stated that he had the ability to carry out tests that very few in his era could. His laziness is found where he did not pay a lot of attention to new ways of science.

Question 13

Feynman could have definitely achieved an increase in happiness if he had majored in sociology. This is due to the fact that he was a very social person and liked interacting with people. Also an example in the book is due to the fact that he held his family with utmost importance.

Question 14

Feynman did not interact well with other scientists and mathematicians in terms of their common field of interest. Rather than this, he interacted with them in the basis of pure friendship. Another example is where it is stated that he spent very little time working with scientists of his era but rather sourced his information from previous scientists.

Question 15

Feynman could not have become a good science teacher. This can be attributed to the fact that he did not like socializing with people on the basis of his career. Also, he did not have a full passion for the subject hence could not have offered good coaching. Another example is due to the fact that he was lazy and could have missed many lessons.

Question 16

Feynman could have succeeded in Counseling. This was due to the amount of concern that had for the people around him. Moreover, he had very good socializing abilities hence could have succeeded. Another example was from the amount of time that he spent with his family offering them life advice.

Question 17

I could not have selected Feynman to help build the atomic bomb. This was due to the fact that he was lazy and hence could have slowed down the process. Moreover, he was negligent and could have ignored some key aspects that could have been dangerous if left. Moreover, he was poor at working with other scientists hence could not have worked well.

Question 18

Feynman resembled a normal scientist in that he had a laboratory just like any other scientist. He had the proper attire for science and laboratory as any other physician. Moreover, he had the necessary access to books and material of science.

Question 19

I would not have liked Feynman as my teacher. This was due to his laziness hence poor teaching. Also, he did not have a full passion for the subject hence could not have offered good coaching. He was also not very fluent with students.

Question 20

I was not surprised at the results of his experiment. The results were poor at first and this was due to his accumulated laziness and negligence. Moreover he did not pay a lot of respect to the lab procedures. For the ones that succeeded. Praise can be offered to his last minute few changes in behavior.

Question 21

Feynman was not always as successful as I expected. This was due to the fact that he had various aspects such as laziness pulling him down. The fact that he paid more attention to his family also reduced his working ability. Also, the fact that he did not like the laboratory environment brought him down.