Who Did Bill Gates Consider His Hero?

[bhobba]

Years ago someone asked Bill Gates who his hero was.

It was Feynman (as he is one of mine along with Von Neumann and Lev Landau).

He has done an interesting post about Feynman's teaching:
https://www.gatesnotes.com/Education/The-Best-Teacher-I-Never-Had

Feynman was a great scientist and teacher - but a terrible mentor as the dismal number of PhD students he produced attests to.

Thanks
Bill

 

[lisab]

Every aspiring physicist should read "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" He'll forever be a favorite on PF.

 

[axmls]

Every aspiring physicist should read "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" He'll forever be a favorite on PF.

The great thing about Feynman, whether you're reading his autobiography or his lecture notes or whatever, is that you always get the sense that when he talks about physics or science in general, he's like a kid in a candy store. He has a genuine excitement and youthful curiosity about him that never seemed to go away, and I've never seen it in someone as much as him. I'd be lying if I didn't list him as one of the main inspirations for my own curiosity.