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the sham legacy of Richard Feynman

Angela Collier · commentary · Watch on YouTube

Fundamental physicsScientific method & science communicationTech pioneers & interviews

What it is

Physicist Angela Collier's nearly three-hour critique of Richard Feynman's public legacy. She examines how his books, written with Ralph Leighton, shaped a mythologized great-man image, and covers his personal behavior.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN recommends it as a sobering counterpoint to the Feynman myth for people whose view comes from Surely You're Joking.

  • 5 people recommended it
  • 3 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2024, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “Her video on Feynman is long and detailed, and very sobering. I highly recommend it.”

    Long, sobering takedown of the fabricated mystique around Feynman

    artifact_44, 2025-02 · Strong recommendation · in “Richard Feynman's blackboard at the time of his death (1988)”

  2. “There's a good popsci comms video on why here”

    Explains why Surely You're Joking anecdotes shouldn't be taken as fact

    hughesjj, 2024-12 · Recommendation · in “Fermat's Last Theorem – how it’s going”

  3. “You may want to watch this if Surely You're Joking read years ago is your main reference point”

    Counterpoint for those whose view of Feynman comes from Surely You're Joking

    blackenedgem, 2024-12 · Recommendation · in “Fermat's Last Theorem – how it’s going”

  4. “Angela Collier says it better and in more detail than I could”

    Explains why Feynman's famous anecdotes are exaggerated and his legacy is criticized

    tovej, 2025-02 · Recommendation · in “Richard Feynman's blackboard at the time of his death (1988)”

  5. “is a good introduction.”

    Good introduction to criticism of Feynman's legacy

    renhanxue, 2025-06 · Recommendation · in “What Problems to Solve (1966)”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: feynman, angela collier, physics history, great man myth, surely you're joking

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