- #1
collectedsoul
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Not looking for much of a discussion, just a simple answer. Did Feynman smoke cigarettes?
Did Feynman Smoke Cigarettes? - Answers Here
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around whether physicist Richard Feynman smoked cigarettes, with participants sharing anecdotes, assumptions, and humorous remarks related to his smoking habits and lifestyle during his active years in physics.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that Feynman likely smoked cigarettes, noting the prevalence of smoking during his time in physics.
- One participant humorously references Feynman's book title, indicating confusion about its name.
- Another participant mentions that Feynman smoked pot and speculates about his tobacco use, citing anecdotal evidence from conference attendees about smoke obstructing visibility.
- There are claims that Feynman experimented with LSD and other psychedelics, with references to his associations with figures involved in those practices.
- Some participants share personal reflections on the culture of smoking among students and physicists in the 1960s.
- A participant humorously notes a modified picture of Feynman, implying he was smoking in it.
- One post mentions Feynman playing the bongos, linking it to the theme of smoking in a lighthearted manner.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on whether Feynman smoked cigarettes specifically, with multiple competing views and humorous anecdotes presented throughout the discussion.
Contextual Notes
The discussion includes speculative claims and personal anecdotes, with no definitive evidence provided regarding Feynman's smoking habits.
- #2
Ivan Seeking
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Haven't you ever read his book: Surely You're Smoking, Mr. Feynman!
Wait, that may not be right...
Wait, that may not be right...
- #3
Chi Meson
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Just a little bit, when he was cremated.
- #4
GrizzlyBat
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Just... wow.
- #5
turbo
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Feynman smoked pot, for sure. Though I haven't done any research on his tobacco-use, it is very likely that he smoked. Cigarette-smoking was very widespread when he was active in physics. I have read complaints from attendees at conferences that it could be hard to see the blackboards through the smoke if you had a seat near the back.
- #6
berkeman
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Ivan Seeking said:
OMG Ivan. Good thing I wasn't sipping coffee! - #7
SticksandStones
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turbo-1 said:
If I remember correctly, he also tried LSD once as well?
- #8
turbo
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And LSD and other psychedelics and sensory deprivation, sometimes together. He hung out with Richard Alpert (who was an associate of Timothy Leary) who got involved in Indian mysticism and became known as Baba Ram Dass.SticksandStones said:
- #9
SticksandStones
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I guess it pays to be a famous physicist in the 60's. Or just be alive in the 60's? :)
- #10
turbo
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I was having some fun in the 60's. I wasn't famous nor a physicist, but staying under the radar was probably good. One of my music-buddies went to Woodstock - I had to stay home and flag traffic and grease heavy-equipment on my lunch-hours. "Saving for College" is sometimes not fun.SticksandStones said:
BTW, I and most of the Engineering students smoked. By 1970, there was a fatalism setting in. You'd have to be of "an age" to appreciate it.
- #11
jtbell
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Ivan Seeking said:
No, it was "What Are You Smoking, Mr. Feynman?"
- #12
humanino
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This picture was clearly modified. One can tell he was surely smoking.
- #13
Phrak
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He smoked on the bongos.
http://boingboing.net/2009/05/30/richard-feynman-play.html"
http://boingboing.net/2009/05/30/richard-feynman-play.html"
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