The best teacher I never had (2016)
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The best teacher I never had (2016)
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Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#2Feynman lectures are the SICP of physics. And I don't mean that as a compliment.
People say these are the best resources on the respective subjects, however the people who say this have likely not read many other books, especially modern books.
Bill Gates is kinda cool I guess but I'm not going to take physics advice from him.
Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#3I feel like I'm being very negative today, but it feels like this post gets more attention because Bill Gates has become somewhat of a celebrity and he wrote it. I'm not saying I dislike Gates, I'm not saying his celebrity status hasn't been earned, etc. Just saying the content itself is kind of...unremarkable? I feel like every friend I have from highschool absolutely loves Feynman, we all read and discussed his "Six Easy Pieces", he's regularly the subject of submissions and comments on HN, etc. Like, Feynman isn't some hidden gem - thankfully many have come to know and love his work.
Apologize if I'm being unreasonably negative, but something about this post and it being top on HN kind of bothers me (maybe because it feels a little bit like hero worship?). Like, are we marvelling that Bill Gates' admiration of Feynman? Is this the best tribute to Feynman ever written? There's so much written about Feynman on/offline.
Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#4Feynman lectures are the SICP of physics. And I don't mean that as a compliment. People say these are the best resources on the respective subjects, however the people who say this have likely not read many other books, especially modern books. Bill Gates is kinda cool I guess but I'm not going to take physics advice from him.
lol fair enough (and I, too, take issue with the post as I explained in another comment), but I do think Feynman was special in his love and pursuit of knowledge. I'm sure you're right that there are way better books, but I don't see Feynman the personality/educator/teacher as easily swappable with others as maybe his books are.
Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#5Feynman lectures are the SICP of physics. And I don't mean that as a compliment. People say these are the best resources on the respective subjects, however the people who say this have likely not read many other books, especially modern books. Bill Gates is kinda cool I guess but I'm not going to take physics advice from him.
I’m surprised at the negativity in this reply. Can you offer some more explanation as to what you mean by the non-compliment SICP ref?
Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#6Feynman lectures are the SICP of physics. And I don't mean that as a compliment. People say these are the best resources on the respective subjects, however the people who say this have likely not read many other books, especially modern books. Bill Gates is kinda cool I guess but I'm not going to take physics advice from him.
I’m surprised at the negativity in this reply. Can you offer some more explanation as to what you mean by the non-compliment SICP ref?
I mean that most people who talk about SICP and Feynman lectures don't read too ma y other books on the topic. Saying you like either is Ike saying you like Beatles or Top 40.
Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#7I feel like I'm being very negative today, but it feels like this post gets more attention because Bill Gates has become somewhat of a celebrity and he wrote it. I'm not saying I dislike Gates, I'm not saying his celebrity status hasn't been earned, etc. Just saying the content itself is kind of...unremarkable? I feel like every friend I have from highschool absolutely loves Feynman, we all read and discussed his "Si…
Honestly, I wholeheartedly agree with you. His diction seems to be uninspiring.
Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#8I feel like I'm being very negative today, but it feels like this post gets more attention because Bill Gates has become somewhat of a celebrity and he wrote it. I'm not saying I dislike Gates, I'm not saying his celebrity status hasn't been earned, etc. Just saying the content itself is kind of...unremarkable? I feel like every friend I have from highschool absolutely loves Feynman, we all read and discussed his "Si…
16 points are not all that much though...
Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#9I feel like I'm being very negative today, but it feels like this post gets more attention because Bill Gates has become somewhat of a celebrity and he wrote it. I'm not saying I dislike Gates, I'm not saying his celebrity status hasn't been earned, etc. Just saying the content itself is kind of...unremarkable? I feel like every friend I have from highschool absolutely loves Feynman, we all read and discussed his "Si…
16 points are not all that much though...
Fair enough haha
Re: The best teacher I never had (2016)
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
I’m surprised at the negativity in this reply. Can you offer some more explanation as to what you mean by the non-compliment SICP ref?
I mean that most people who talk about SICP and Feynman lectures don't read too ma y other books on the topic. Saying you like either is Ike saying you like Beatles or Top 40.
But SICP and Feynman are highly nonstandard ways to be introduced to the topics. That’s why they’re unusual.