TEDxCaltech - Michelle Feynman and Christopher Sykes - Fun to Imagine

Michelle Feynman is the daughter of Richard Feynman. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, Michelle is a freelance photographer and spends most of her days taking pictures. She is perhaps best known as the editor of, "Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track: The Letters of Richard P. Feynman," a collection of letters to and from her father.The book includes an introduction by Michelle in which she describes what it was like to grow up as the daughter of one of the world's best-known physicists. Michelle has also gathered a compilation of her father's artwork in a book entitled, "The Art of Richard P. Feynman: Images by a Curious Character."
Christopher Sykes is a TV documentary producer based in London. He was born in 1945, and was educated at the Atlantic College and Merton College, Oxford where he read English. In 1970 he joined the BBC as a television researcher.He has made about seventy documentaries for BBC TV and Channel 4, some of which have been shown on PBS/Nova -- notably the programs he made with and about Richard Feynman ("The Pleasure of Finding Things Out," "Last Journey of a Genius" and "The Best Mind Since Einstein"). He is also a consultant to Web Stories, an online video collection of in-depth interviews with many of the great minds of our time.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event: In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
On January 14, 2011, Caltech hosted TEDxCaltech, an exciting one-day event to honor Richard Feynman, Nobel Laureate, Caltech physics professor, iconoclast, visionary, and all-around "curious character." Visit TEDxCaltech.com for more details.

[@Funandconsciousness]

My dad worked at Caltech for 50 years, and knew Richard Feynman well ... and admired him tremendously. But this was my first personal experience of him -- and yes, he's quite delightful!

[@burnhippiesforfuel]

the best part of that blackboard was 'know how to solve every problem that has been solved'.

[@dooterino]

Sometimes I find myself doubting my ability to comprehend some things, or my ability to learn certain systems and mathematical techniques. It makes me uneasy, sometimes I feel as though even if I make it into a higher end research field of some sort, I won't excel. Then I watch Feynman. Or I watch Sagan. Seeing brilliant minds talk with the same passion and interest in the same subjects, sharing thought processes and displaying the same love of thinking, learning, and understanding, and I think, at least for the moment, my anxiety subsides. Even if I end up being incapable of lending a hand to the advancements that follow in the footsteps of these great scientists, I am satisfied that their words and passions are not wasted.

[@adikshithojha3666]

I... I am flipping out so much right now. This is EXACTLY how I feel! this is the very reason Richard Feynman is my idol! I can't really express how I feel. I literally can't, I have no idea how to put it in words. I'm sorry if I'm being slightly overexcited, I hope you will understand.

[@ffggddss]

Yes, I think what these key figures really teach us in this regard, is how not to get bogged down in the details, but to stand back every once in a while and look at the 'big picture' from a different angle; that many times we should apply common sense to some very uncommon things. Einstein and his thought experiments are another example of this.

[@007myzorro]

John Huddleston gag

[@budasfeet]

Too passive

[@calebm9000]

@@budasfeet You're right, we need violent science- I prefer stabbing people with Eppendorfs.

[@wanderingsoul1189]

Feynman is my most favorite physicist, particularly his talent to explain profound ideas in simple and eloquent language.

[@charlesmintus3063]

The more I see Dr. Richard Feynman's daughter the more I wish to go back in time....what a lovely lady.

[@wangmary]

One of the best TED videos in ages. Richard Feynman is such an inspiration.

[@adeel256]

the Feynman anecdotes were awesome and very inspiring.

[@aryehfinklestein9041]

Michelle Feynman most impressive - thanks for posting.

[@astral_md]

That immense source ! Thank you Mr. Feynman May Greatest God bless him

[@Lima547]

Listenning to Feynman sincerely makes me feel like crying. His austerity towards nature and its events are noble, his clarity about the facts is unique, his knowledge is just espectacular and even though he is humble enough to talk about what he does not know and say that many things he does not know for sure. What a character! This is beautiful!

[@RStaRaptoR]

This is really interesting how he talks about surface tension. I've heard that the liquid state, is just fast moving attoms. And this is soooo visual how he does it!!! Finally i see it. This guy is great, you guys and girls are right. I too, am a theorist researching everything i can. Hahaha. I'm like this guy. Although i love space more than smaller things, but obviously small and big things are the most connected things ever. (Hence gravity, velocity, yada yada)

[@cheneyww]

His smile is so warm.

[@reinhardstadler-wolffersgr1541]

You are so right. Feynman is a beautiful, warm-hearted person. A beautiful mind

[@Sllammy]

If i were to write a letter to Michelle, I would first want to say how I can only imagine how difficult it must be to attempt to make your own name know for your individual work when your fathers work is world wide. Then, I would have a million questions about Richard. I wonder what he was like as a father.

[@mike28110]

I've seen this video a few times now and by the end of it I'm still thrilled to see it. How he thinks is beautiful.

[@plavix221]

God bless, Richard Feynman. (if he exists) He is so wise when he talks about how ordinary people can become scientists compared to most nutty scientists of today: "Oh look at me, i am so great i have a PhDDDD. I make a lot of money. I am so special. " It is all about psychology and how society works. Everyone can become a scientist, it is just that we have these societal imperatives and blockades that make ordinary people into thinking they are dumb. Where in reality most of the richer class people are just a load of swindlers that were lucky to be born into this class, growing up with the psychology in their heads that they can achieve everything that they want to since they are already in this class. It is all about psychology and chance.

[@peterxie7739]

+plavix221 physics should the most common and as relatively simple as possible. So as should all of the great physicists. Those of who do not act like a prudent and common physicists(nutty) cannot really do something unprecedented to physics.

[@DinkerTinker1]

Richard Feynman is a pleasure listening to. He is correct: if you study and devout yourself to something long enough you will end up as one of the best people at it (commone sense). I also agree that price awards are phoney. I don´t see the point in them either. Besides, price awards are such a waste of time. Why attend at those awards at all? Instead attend that field of activity you enjoy and become even better at itinstead.

[@ergia4822]

Price awards give media publicity and allows you to promote your subject to a global audience as well receive money to excel. Who wants to 'phoooey' that.

[@Tonyrosama]

He was and still is the uber teacher and ultra-mind of a generation.

[@un2mensch]

The closing sequence of The Quest For Tannu Tuva was immense

[@MrBigike76]

Beautiful.

[@1010kray1010]

09:58 : I put it to you, people of the planet earth, that therein lies the spirit of man, an icon of irrepressible beauty and the watermark for intellectual achievement. Forward into time - but never forgetting the legacy, nay majesty, of this wonderful, beautiful man.

[@abrarshaikh2254]

She is so beautiful! No doubt one could inherent intelligent and beauty at the same time.

[@adikshithojha3666]

I'm totally fanboying over the video and the comment section and I love it!

[@stobiguglrekao4683]

Imagine Nikola Tesla, Richard Feynman, Mozart and Leonardo da Vinci in one body

[@Nautilus1972]

WHY?

[@powchuz3131]

Then the god really becomes exist...

[@GH-oi2jf]

why?

[@impje]

Thank you for the upload :)

[@In19944]

It's amazing to me that men exist like this & have not found a way to stop the aging of cell death. As a civilization, we will find immortality eventually. Geniuses like him seem to just see things on a different level. He helped split an atom to destroy so much life(although it wasn't his decision obviously), I'd think there'd be a rebound effect of how to extend life, or end death.

[@mike28110]

Wow, I just had to comment, this video is great, and feynman is such an inspiring character.

[@TheCrossroads533]

Why isn't Sykes' work available on DVD or did I miss something?

[@trefod]

Without these interviews by Sykes and the tapes by Leighton, Feynman would have been largely unknown outside science. Imagine our loss!

[@RStaRaptoR]

I have an open ended question for everyone. Please tell me... How do you describe gravity? I completely doubt that there is a "graviton" especially because of all the press about the Higgs Boson particle : which I've reaserched and came to the conclusion that A. We know very little about it; But B. That we know it has 'something to do with' converting or creating gravity directly by it's self, or a hidden power that isn't physical, or is incredibly small.

[@adikshithojha3666]

general relativity my friend, general relativity. the simplicity and elegance of it is amazing. although I must confess that I fully do not know all that it involves, of what I do know about it however, I'm in complete awe of.

[@RickarooCarew]

Blessings on you and your family Ms Feynman... especially for providing these tremendous lectures and dialogues with your dad... Bill Gates says R Feynman is his favorite teacher he never knew... me too ✌️ mil mil mil gracias

[@RickarooCarew]

señor Sykes ✌️.. you too brother... the unsung hero in physics today, sir... ♾️ thanks

[@RickarooCarew]

a really good teacher exites his students to look for more... ☯️ R Feynman was funny, talented.. entertaining... and very effective.. infective in his joy of learning.. turns out we actually learn better when we're having fun... dinner was one of the suggestions from my phone... phone humor... so.. here's something fun to think about... Dr Feynman left us in early 1988... my son was born a little more than a year later in May... kid aced college calculus in 7th grade.. ♾️☯️♾️ time... like the Universe... is screwy

[@sittoonagesh6668]

Last part was fantastic. Does anyone agree?

[@ianpingchunglee6085]

I want to know the origin of the quote 'Scientists are explorers, philosophers are tourists' from feynman. Is it real? any book have it? do anyone who listen to Feynman to say this?

[@joejee01]

The best . Feynman

[@smoothcriminal28]

The greatest scientist that has ever walked the Earth, period. His genius is unparalled by anyone imo. Not Einstein, not Newton, Maxwell or anyone. Richard Feynman's imagination was a never ending journey that didnt stop.

[@GH-oi2jf]

There is no point in trying to rank great scientists, who lived in different times and worked on the problems of the day. I just remember them for their individual achievements.

[@SpiritualAtheist]

@VanMedia Agreed.

[@youwinoneinternets]

I wish he did talk forever.

[@SRHurst1]

@qwefcas I completely agree. She is lovely!

[@colinnixon7055]

to the memory of a great investigator of physics.

[@ukaszsurzycki845]

QED is so acurate thas enougt to build any therory with such acuracy

[@ukaszsurzycki845]

it's pleasure to live in Your times thanks Dig prof. Richard Philips Feynman

[@ukaszsurzycki845]

I see pararelle beetwen You and Wisława Szymborska nobel lectures so lets calulate by the way one three seven eleven...:) we love You Richard

[@Nautilus1972]

Growing up an adopted Feynman, rather. When Feynman would tell Michelle that the Sun was made of gas, to spark an interest in physics such as Carl had developed, Michelle replied "I don't like gas, daddy." and that was that.

[@sameer137]

DAMN. She does look a lot like him.

[@nextblain]

lucky luckkkky girl

[@TheRooster602]

Sykes facial expressions look like Bill Murray in Caddyshack, especially the mouth.

[@olgayourik278]

Super

[@davidwilkie9551]

Teacher

[@climbeverest]

Wow! God!

[@myroseaccount]

His point was anyone willing to put in the work and the effort could be a scientist. Anyone. It is not necesary to be a genius. He didn't say anyone could be Einstein or himself.

[@jc333jc]

And the other 9 dinner party guests would be...? :-)

[@742_mdraihanuzzaman5]

I'm an ordinary person who studied hard ❤️

[@7grhpsyfuck272]

silva ms millard is my daughter. im rong yu. 1995

[@davidcunningham2984]

why is this a ted talk???

[@glutinousmaximus]

Good question. Ted talks used to be very informative on science. The current slew of presentations are just anecdotal really. Still of great interest (to me anyway!) but not really the place to come anymore if you want to learn about science.

[@Spiffy4k]

12:37 liesss.

[@anitcolor]

i read in the comment 'what if we combine Feynman and Einstein and Tesla etc ' my answer is why should we ? Feynman was a great teacher but a trouble maker, Einstein was not, Tesla well he had lots of flaws but they were great on there own, no need of a superman when the Earth is full of greatmen

[@reinhardstadler-wolffersgr1541]

Feynman was a troublemaker.. you write.

[@reinhardstadler-wolffersgr1541]

Could you explain to us how you have this idea. Unnecessary comment

[@Brainbuster]

Can we get Feynman's and Einstein's DNA so we can clone them and present them with today's problems to solve?

[@fruckstuck]

i suck

[@alexandrugheorghe5610]

Not much baloney in his sandwich.

[@Shmannel]

Really? He didn't do it as his gift to society? To better our condition as a species, to me it feels like an instinct, you think i really care about knowing the motion of subatomic particles? Not as much as i want you guys to be able to do cool stuff with it to make my life more convenient, that's animal nature

[@akidnag]

She is adopted...

[@OlsonBrownianMotion]

why attend memorials, funerals, or marriages at churches? why attend hockey or soccer games? don't drive yourself insane

[@Spiffy4k]

12:37 liesss.

[@meowwwww6350]

You're pedantic