Feynman Audio Lectures: Complete Set Available?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the availability of the complete audio recordings of Feynman's Lectures on Physics. Participants express interest in accessing these recordings, exploring both free and paid options, and discussing the challenges of learning physics through audio alone.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to find the complete audio set of Feynman's Lectures on Physics, noting that while some audio versions exist, they are not fully accessible.
  • Another participant provides links to resources where audio recordings can be purchased, including a mention of their high cost.
  • Concerns are raised about the effectiveness of learning physics solely through audio, with some arguing that Feynman's teaching style relies heavily on visual aids that cannot be conveyed through sound alone.
  • Several participants share their experiences, suggesting that listening to the lectures while referencing the corresponding books may enhance understanding.
  • There is mention of plans for a multimedia edition of the lectures that would include original recordings and photos, although details on its release remain uncertain.
  • One participant highlights the emotional impact of Feynman's lectures and the importance of making his materials widely available.
  • Another participant clarifies the original recording format of the lectures, correcting a previous claim about the equipment used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best way to learn from the audio lectures, with some advocating for a combination of listening and reading, while others emphasize the limitations of audio-only learning. The discussion about the availability of the complete audio set remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the dependence on visual elements in Feynman's teaching, which may limit the effectiveness of audio recordings for beginners. There are also unresolved questions regarding the timeline and feasibility of the planned multimedia edition.

  • #31
Michael,
Thanks for your many years of work in trying to bring R.P. Feynman's Lectures on Physics to everyone.
Your comment on Hachette was very informative. I think they are Brits.
Is there any way to release Feynman's lecture on Resonance? I suspect that it is spectacular. Resonance is so important.
Perhaps an appeal could be made to Hachette that, for the sake of preserving knowledge, an exception could be made wrt RPF.
I can understand that average folk might not understand the significance of the importance of Feynman's Lectures on Physics,
but publishers like Perseus and Hachette are generally well educated folks who have an appreciation for physics and outstanding
teachers of physics, such as Feynman.
Feynman's knowledge and his teachings compare to wonders like the Egyptian pyramids - beyond national treasures - world treasures.
Hang in there. We are all counting on you and Hachette.
Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Hachette is French, not British.

As for releasing the recording of the lecture on resonance (I:23) and the other unpublished lecture recordings ... For seven years Perseus (now Hachette) has ignored all of Caltech's requests to replace the current FLP audio with the newly digitized FLP audio. They are still selling the old commercial recordings, which do not include I:23. So... I can write another letter about it, but I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the missing lecture recordings to come out.

No doubt there are people at Perseus/Hachette with pedagogical interests, but they are in business to make money. That is why they are refusing to publish our newly digitized FLP lecture recordings: there is no economic motivation for them to do so. If there were, they would do it. Another example: we recently made a 'demo' for a Kindle eTextbook (PDF-based) edition of Exercises for The Feynman Lectures on Physics, and Hachette refuses to publish such an edition because they say that their non-Amazon retailers retaliate when they sell anything exclusively at Amazon by refusing to sell their other books.
 
  • #33
Thank You
https://www.howto-guide.com/how-to-make-arabic-coffee-in-few-minutes.html
 
  • #34
@codelieb
On a similar note, is there a chance we'll see (well, hear) an audio version of Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! or What Do You Care What Other People Think? read by Feynman himself? As I understand, both books were taken from recordings, so with some editing, it seems possible. The books are fantastic, but to hear the original audio would take them to another level. It might be a nice way to celebrate Feynman's 100th birthday, too :biggrin:

As others have said, kudos and thanks for helping to bring the great man's works to all of us.
 
  • #35
According to my audio, in public version there isn't more lectures: V1Ch23, V1Ch34, V1Ch35, V2Ch4, V2Ch8, V2Ch19, V2Ch21, V2Ch28, V2Ch29, V3Ch5.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
24K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
17
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K