Did Feynman Smoke Cigarettes? - Answers Here

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Richard Feynman is often associated with smoking, particularly marijuana, and there are indications he may have smoked cigarettes, given the prevalence of tobacco use during his time in physics. Attendees at physics conferences noted that smoke could obscure visibility of blackboards, suggesting a common smoking culture. Feynman also experimented with psychedelics, including LSD, and had connections with figures like Richard Alpert, who was involved in the counterculture of the 1960s. The discussion humorously touches on the lifestyle of that era, reflecting on how being a physicist during that time might have influenced one's experiences with substances. The title of Feynman's book is humorously misquoted in the conversation, indicating a light-hearted tone among participants.
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Not looking for much of a discussion, just a simple answer. Did Feynman smoke cigarettes?
 
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Haven't you ever read his book: Surely You're Smoking, Mr. Feynman!

Wait, that may not be right...
 
Just a little bit, when he was cremated.
 
Just... wow.
 
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.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
Haven't you ever read his book: Surely You're Smoking, Mr. Feynman!

:smile: OMG Ivan. Good thing I wasn't sipping coffee! :smile:
 
turbo-1 said:
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.

If I remember correctly, he also tried LSD once as well?
 
SticksandStones said:
If I remember correctly, he also tried LSD once as well?
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.
 
I guess it pays to be a famous physicist in the 60's. Or just be alive in the 60's? :)
 
  • #10
SticksandStones said:
I guess it pays to be a famous physicist in the 60's. Or just be alive in the 60's? :)
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.

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
Ivan Seeking said:
Haven't you ever read his book: Surely You're Smoking, Mr. Feynman!

Wait, that may not be right...

No, it was "What Are You Smoking, Mr. Feynman?" :biggrin:
 
  • #12
This picture was clearly modified. One can tell he was surely smoking.
feynman.jpg
 
  • #13
He smoked on the bongos.
http://boingboing.net/2009/05/30/richard-feynman-play.html"
 
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