Who Said "Shut Up and Calculate"?

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SUMMARY

The phrase "Shut up and calculate!" is often attributed to physicists Richard Feynman and Paul Dirac, leading to confusion among enthusiasts. A discussion highlights a wiki article suggesting Dirac as the originator, while another source proposes that physicist David Mermin may have coined the phrase. Participants express skepticism towards Wikipedia's reliability, emphasizing that it should not be the sole source for factual information. The conversation also critiques the tendency of outspoken scientists to overshadow the essence of scientific inquiry.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with notable physicists: Richard Feynman, Paul Dirac, and David Mermin
  • Knowledge of the role of citations in scientific discourse
  • Awareness of the limitations of online resources like Wikipedia
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical context of the phrase "Shut up and calculate!" in scientific literature
  • Explore the contributions of Richard Feynman and Paul Dirac to quantum mechanics
  • Investigate David Mermin's work and his perspectives on scientific communication
  • Learn about the reliability of various sources in scientific research, including Wikipedia and Britannica
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, science communicators, and anyone interested in the philosophy of science and the role of authoritative sources in academic discourse.

Azael
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I read it ascribed to Feynman, but don't recall where I read it. If it comes back to me I'll post it here, though.
 
Here's a very interesting piece:

http://www.physicstoday.org/vol-57/iss-5/p10.html

This man believes he may have originated the phrase.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You shouldn't trust wiki articles ever since they are free to edit and can be made by anyone. They are good articles for basic knowledge but don't rely on it for facts because more often than not there is an error lying in it.
Now whether it is Mermin or Feynman is a different story...and an interesting one.
 
The plot thickens:cool:
 
If there is any quote I like, it would be this one. It eptomises the need for just 'shutting the f*&k up' in science. Not even Einstein does it for me here, too much outspoken, too much BS in my opinion.

Outspoken Scientists are the worst, besides hippies.
 
Bladibla said:
If there is any quote I like, it would be this one. It eptomises the need for just 'shutting the f*&k up' in science. Not even Einstein does it for me here, too much outspoken, too much BS in my opinion.

Outspoken Scientists are the worst, besides hippies.

How outspoken.
 
Christina- said:
You shouldn't trust wiki articles ever since they are free to edit and can be made by anyone. They are good articles for basic knowledge but don't rely on it for facts because more often than not there is an error lying in it.
Now whether it is Mermin or Feynman is a different story...and an interesting one.
I have Mermin's book on SR. Decent read, but not real great. Wish we used Wheeler instead. Oh well.

Wikipedia is in general as accurate as Brittannica. That said, neither is authoritative, and neither is a method of proof (*points at the myriads of morons who try to tell me iron undergoes fusion in supernova explosions trying to use wikipedia citations as a method of proof*). Citation in general, is not a method of proof.
 
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rachmaninoff said:
How outspoken.

No. Me outspoken would be to take about politics, society and general anti war protests.
 
  • #10
Bladibla said:
No. Me outspoken would be to take about politics, society and general anti war protests.

I don't see why one would disregard a scientists opinion like a hippies opinion. Yah hippies are generally way off and have no regard for reality but scientists tend to be pretty level-headed people. I personally have a problem of people quoting scientists in a way that depicts them as of a higher philisophical intellect. Then again quoting people to me is a fairly flakey idea in the first place. Then again, i was about to put a quote in my signature...
 
  • #11
I almost agreed with you, then I realized who wrote it and disregarded it.
 
  • #12
tribdog said:
I almost agreed with you, then I realized who wrote it and disregarded it.

i love you so much tribdog
 
  • #13
wanna make out?
 
  • #14
No no is no[/color]
 
  • #15
I meant in general, not just with me. virgin
 

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