Bitshift

Dr. Richard P. Feynman is one of my personal heroes. He wasn't afraid to admit he didn't know something, he had a gift for conveying complex ideas so everyone could understand them, and he retained a childlike curiosity throughout his entire life, maintaining a sense of wonder and awe about the world around him. He is truly the geek's geek, the hacker's hacker.

I was struck by an anecdote he likes to share about the walks he used to take with his father. One day, he saw a bird, and asked his father what it was. his father admitted to not knowing what it was called, but suggested instead that they observe the bird and learn about its behavior. To name a thing, contrary to mystical tenets, is not to hold power over it. You can know the name of something in as many languages as you choose, and still know absolutely nothing about it.

In this wonderful Google video, Feynman recounts this and other tales, explaining his philosophy of learning and knowledge, and demonstrating the joy he takes in discovery.

I can never hope to be a fraction as brilliant as Mr. Feynman, but I would count myself lucky indeed to be as agile of mind and wit as he is when I'm that age.