I think it’s much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. I have approximate answers, and possible beliefs, and different degrees of uncertainty about different things, but I am not absolutely sure of anything. There are many things I don’t know anything about, such as whether it means anything to ask “Why are we here?” I might think about it a little bit, and if I can’t figure it out then I go on to something else. But I don’t have to know an answer. I don’t feel frightened by not knowing things, by being lost in the mysterious universe without having any purpose - which is the way it really is, as far as I can tell.
In case you want more, the entire Fun to Imagine (just him sitting in a chair, talking about stuff) is one of my favorite things.
Oh thank you. Feynman’s up there with Sagan for me as an easy listen that brings insight and joy.
Currently working my way through Cosmos again (the book). I genuinely marvel at these minds that have such deep, deep insight and understanding yet manage to convey it with such ease.
edit: I am 4 minutes in and smiling. What an incredible mind.
edit 2: I’m at the magnets section and just realised I’ve seen this before a very long time ago. Long enough ago to be fortunate enough to not remember most of it and get the joy a second time.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I love how he seems to occasionally just bubble over with joy when talking about these things–he can’t sit still he’s so giddy. The idea of burning a wood fire as “releasing stored sunlight” is one cool idea that stuck with me.
What a lovely and humble man. I like how he prefaces his answer with ‘I don’t know’ and then explains that he’s tried but couldn’t figure out a reason so he’s moved on from the question.
Another favorite from this:
“I don’t believe in honors, it bothers me. Honors is epaulettes; honors is uniforms.”
