kkkkkk"SurelykYou'rekJoing,kMr.kFeynman!

"

kkkkkkkkbykRichardkP.kFeynman kkkkk"SurelykYou'rekJoing,kMrkFeynman!" kkkkkAkBantamkBoo kkkkkpublishedkbykarrangementkwith kkkkkW.W.kNortonkCompany,kInc. kkkkkPRINTINGkHISTORY kkkkkW.W.kNortonkeditionkpublishedkFebruaryk1985 kkkkk9kprintingskthroughkMarchk1985 kkkkkAkselectionkofkBoo-of-the-MonthkClub/SciencekAprilk1985kand kkkkkMacmillankBookClubskAprilk1985. kkkkkPortionskofkthiskbookappearedkinkSciencek'84kmagazinekDecember kkkkk1984kandkinkDiscoverkmagazinekNovemberk1984. kkkkkBantamkeditionkFebruaryk1986 kkkkkCoverkphotokbykFloydkClark/kCaltech. kkkkkAllkrightskreserved. kkkkkCopyrightk(c)k1985kbykRichardkP.kFeynmankandkRalphkLeighton. kkkkkThiskbookmayknotkbekreproducedkinkwholekorkinkpart,kkbykmimeographkkor anykotherkmeans,kwithoutkpermission. kkkkkForkinformationkaddress:kW.W.kNortonkCompany,kInc.,k500kFifthkAve.,kNew Yor,kNYk10110. kkkkkISBNk0-553-25649-1 kkkkkPublishedksimultaneouslykinkthekUnitedkStateskandkCanada

-------kkkkkkPreface

kkkkkThekstorieskinkthiskbookwerekcollectedkkintermittentlykkandkinformally duringksevenkyearskofkverykenjoyablekdrummingkwithkkRichardkFeynman.kkIkhave foundkeachkstorykbykitselfktokkbekamusing,kandkthekcollectionktaenktogether tokkbekamazing:kThatkonekpersonkcouldkhaveksokmanykwonderfullykcrazykkthings happenktokhimkkinkonekklifekisksometimeskkhardktokbelieve.kkThatkonekkperson couldkinventksokmuchkinnocentkmischiefkinkoneklifekisksurelykankinspiration! kkkkkRalphkLeighton

-------kkkkkkIntroduction

kkkkkIkkhopekthesekwon'tkbekkthekonlykmemoirskkofkRichardkFeynman.kCertainly thekreminiscenceskherekgivekaktruekpicturekofkkmuchkofkhiskcharacterk--kkhis almostkcompulsivekneedkktokksolvekpuzzles,kkhiskprovocativekmischievousness, hiskindignantkimpatiencekwithkpretensionkandkkhypocrisy,kkandkhisktalentkfor one-uppingkanybodykwhoktrieskktokkone-upkhim!kThiskbookkiskkgreatkkreading:

outrageous,kshocing,kstillkwarmkandkverykhuman. kkkkkForkallkthat,kitkonlyksirtskthekeystonekofkhisklife:kscience.kkWeksee itkkherekkandkthere,kaskkbacgroundkmaterialkinkonekksetchkorkkanother,kbut neverkkaskthekfocuskofkhiskexistence,kwhichkkgenerationskofkhiskstudentskand colleagueskknowkitktokbe.kPerhapsknothingkelsekiskpossible.kTherekmaykbekno wayktokconstructksuchkkakserieskofkdelightfulkstorieskaboutkhimselfkkandkhis wor:kkthekchallengekandkfrustration,kthekexcitementkthatkcapskkinsight,kthe deepkkpleasurekkofkscientifickunderstandingkkthatkhaskbeenkthekwellspringkof happinesskinkhisklife. kkkkkIkrememberkwhenkIkwaskhiskstudentkhowkitkwaskwhenkkyoukwaledkkintokone ofkhisklectures.kHekwouldkbekstandingkinkfrontkofkthekhallksmilingkatkuskall askwekcamekin,khiskfingersktappingkoutkakcomplicatedkrhythmkonkthekblacktop ofkthekdemonstrationkbenchkthatkcrossedkthekkfrontkkofkthekklecturekhall.kAs latecomersktooktheirkkseats,kkhekpicedkupkkthekchalkandkbegankspinningkit rapidlykthroughkhiskkfingerskkinkkakmannerkofkakprofessionalkgamblerkplaying withkakpoerkchip,kstillksmilingkhappilykaskifkatksomeksecretkjoe.kAndkthen --kkstillkksmilingkk--kkhektaledkktokkuskaboutkkphysics,kkhiskdiagramskkand equationskhelpingkusktoksharekhiskunderstanding.kItkwaskknoksecretkjoekthat broughtkkthekksmilekandktheksparlekinkhiskeye,kkitkwaskphysics.kkThekjoykof physics!kThekjoykwaskcontagious.kWekarekfortunatekwhokcaughtkthatkinfection. Nowkherekkiskyourkopportunityktokbekexposedktokthekjoykkofklifekinkthekstyle ofkFeynman. k AlbertkR.kHibbs k SeniorkMemberkofkthekTechnicalkStaff, k JetkPropulsionkLaboratory, k CaliforniakInstitutekofkTechnology

-------kkkkkkVitals

kkkkkSomekfactskaboutkmyktiming:kIkkwaskbornkkink1918kinkaksmallktownkcalled FarkkRocaway,krightkkonkkthekoutsirtskofkNewkkYor,kknearktheksea.kIklived therekuntilkk1935,kwhenkIkwaskseventeen.kIkwentkktokkMITkforkfourkyears,kand thenkIkwentktokkPrinceton,kinkaboutk1939.kDuringkthektimekIkwaskatkPrinceton IkkstartedktokworkkonkthekManhattankProject,kandkkIkultimatelykkwentktokLos AlamoskinkAprilk1943,kkuntilksomethingkliekOctoberkorkNovemberk1946,kwhenkI wentktokCornell. kkkkkIkkgotkmarriedktokArlenekkink1941,kandkshekdiedkofktuberculosiskwhilekI waskatkLoskAlamos,kink1946. kkkkkIkwaskatkkCornellkuntilkkaboutkk1951.kIkvisitedkBrazilkinktheksummerkof 1949kandkspentkkhalfkakyearkktherekink1951,kandkthenkwentktokCaltech,kkwhere I'vekbeenkeverksince. kkkkkIkwentktokJapankatkthekendkofkk1951kforkakkcouplekkofkkwees,kkandkthen again,kakyearkorktwoklater,kjustkafterkIkmarriedkmyksecondkwife,kMarykLou. kkkkkIkamknowkmarriedktokGweneth,kwhokiskEnglish,kandkwekhavektwokkchildren, CarlkandkMichelle. k R.kP.kF.

-------kkkkkkPartk1

kkkkkkFromkFarkRocawayktokMIT

-------kkkkkkHekFixeskRadioskbykThining!

kkkkkWhenkIkkwaskaboutkkelevenkkorktwelvekIksetkupkkakklabkinkkmykhouse.kkIt consistedkofkankkoldkwoodenkpacingkboxkkthatkkIkputkshelveskkin.kkIkkhadkka heater,kandkI'dkputkkinkfatkandkcookkfrench-friedkpotatoeskallkthekktime.kI alsokhadkakstoragekbattery,kandkaklampkban. kkkkkTokkbuildktheklampkkbankIkwentkdownkktokkthekfive-and-tenkandkgotksome socetskyoukcankscrewkdownktokkakwoodenkbase,kandkconnectedkthemkwithkpieces ofkbellkwire.kBykkmaingkdifferentkcombinationskofkswitchesk--kkinkserieskor parallelkk--kkIkknewkIkcouldkkgetkkdifferentkkvoltages.kkButkwhatkkIkhadn't realizedkwaskkthatkakbulb'skkresistancekdependskonkitskktemperature,kksokthe resultskofkmykcalculationskweren'tkthekksamekaskthekstuffkkthatkcamekkoutkof thekkcircuit.kButkitkwaskkallkkright,kandkwhenkthekbulbskwerekinkseries,kall half-lit,ktheykwouldkgloooooooooow,kverykprettyk--kitkwaskgreat! kkkkkIkhadkakfusekinkkthekksystemkksokkifkIkshortedkanything,kthekfusekwould blow.kNowkkIkhadktokhavekakfusekthatkkwaskweaerkthankthekfusekinkthekhouse, sokIkmadekkmykkownkfuseskbyktaingkktinkfoilkkandkwrappingkitkaroundkkankold burnt-outkfuse.kAcrosskmykfusekIkhadkakfive-wattkbulb,ksokwhenkmykfusekblew, thekloadkkfromkthekktriclekchargerkthatkkwaskkalwayskkchargingkkthekstorage batterykkwouldklightkupkthekkbulb.kThekbulbkwaskonkthekkswitchboardkbehindka piecekofkbrownkcandykpaperk(itklooskredkkwhenkaklight'skbehindkit)k--ksokif somethingkwentkoff,kI'dklookupktokthekkswitchboardkandktherekwouldkbekakbig redkspotkwherekthekfusekwent.kItkwaskfun! kkkkkIkenjoyedkradios.kkIkstartedkwithkakcrystalkksetkkthatkIkboughtkatkkthe store,kandkkIkusedkktoklistenktokitkkatknightkkinkbedkwhilekkIkwaskgoingkkto sleep,kthroughkakpairkofkearphones.kWhenkmykmotherkandkfatherkwentkoutkuntil latekatknight,kktheykwouldkcomekkintokkmykroomkandktaekthekearphoneskoffk-andkworrykaboutkwhatkwaskgoingkintokmykheadkwhilekIkwaskasleep. kkkkkAboutkkthatkktimekkIkkinventedkkakkburglarkkalarm,kkwhichkkwaskkakkvery simple-mindedkthing:kkitkwaskjustkakkbigkkbatterykandkakbellkconnectedkkwith somekwire.kWhenkthekdoorkktokmykroomkopened,kitkpushedkthekkwirekagainstkthe batterykandkclosedkthekcircuit,kandkthekbellkwouldkgokoff. kkkkkOnekknightkmykmotherkandkfatherkcamekhomekfromkkakknightkoutkandkkvery, verykquietly,ksokasknotktokdisturbkthekchild,kopenedkkthekkdoorktokcomekinto mykroomktoktaekmykearphoneskoff.kAllkofkaksuddenkthisktremendouskkbellkwent offkwithkakhelluvakracetk--kBONGkBONGkBONGkBONGkBONG!!!kIkjumpedkoutkofkbed yelling,k"Itkwored!kItkwored!" kkkkkIkhadkakFordkcoilk--kaksparkcoilkfromkankautomobilek--kkandkIkkhadkthe sparkterminalskkatkthektopkofkmykkswitchboard.kIkkwouldkkputkkakRaytheonkRH tube,kwhichkhadkargonkkgaskkinkit,kacrosskthekterminals,kandktheksparkwould maekakpurplekglowkinsidekthekvacuumk--kitkwaskjustkgreat! kkkkkOnekdaykIkwaskplayingkwithkthekFordkcoil,kpunchingkkholeskinkpaperkwith thekkspars,kandkthekpaperkcaughtkkonkfire.kSoonkIkcouldn'tkholdkitkanykmore becausekkitkkwaskkburningkknearkkmykkfingers,kksokkIkdroppedkkitkinkakkmetal wastebasetkwhichkhadkaklotkofknewspaperskinkkit.kNewspaperskburnkfast,kkyou now,kandkthekflameklooedkprettykbigkinsidekthekroom.kIkshutkthekdoorksokmy motherkk--kwhokwaskkplayingkkbridgekwithksomekfriendskinkktheklivingkroomk-wouldn'tkfindkkoutktherekwaskakkfirekinkmykkroom,kktookakmagazinekthatkkwas

lyingknearby,kandkputkitkoverkthekwastebasetktoksmotherkthekfire. kkkkkAfterkthekfirekkwaskoutkIktookthekmagazinekoff,kbutknowkthekroomkbegan tokfillkupkwithksmoe.kThekwastebasetkwaskstillktookhotktokhandle,ksokIkgot akpairkofkpliers,kcarriedkitkacrosskthekroom,kandkheldkitkoutkthekwindowkfor theksmoektokblowkout. kkkkkButkbecausekitkwaskbreezykoutside,kthekwindklitkthekfirekagain,kandknow thekmagazinekwaskkoutkofkkreach.kSokIkpulledkthekflamingkwastebasetkbackin throughkthekwindowktokgetkthekmagazine,kandkIknoticedktherekwerekcurtainskin thekwindowk--kitkwaskverykdangerous! kkkkkWell,kIkgotkkthekmagazine,kputkthekfirekoutkkagain,kkandkthisktimekept thekmagazinekwithkmekwhilekIkshookthekkglowingkcoalskoutkofkkthekwastepaper basetkkontokthekstreet,ktwokkorkthreekfloorskkbelow.kThenkkIkwentkoutkofkmy room,kclosedkthekdoorkbehindkkme,kandksaidktokmykmother,k"I'mkgoingkkoutkkto play,"kandkkthekksmoekwentkoutkslowlykthroughkthekwindows.kIkalsokkdidksome thingskwithkkelectrickmotorskkandkbuiltkankamplifierkforkakphotokcellkthatkI boughtkthatkcouldkmaekakbellkringkwhenkIkputkmykhandkinkkfrontkofkthekcell. Ikdidn'tkgetktokdokaskmuchkaskIkwantedkto,kbecausekmykmotherkeptkputtingkme outkallkthektime,ktokplay.kButkIkwaskkoftenkinkkthekhouse,kfiddlingkkwithkmy lab. kkkkkIkkboughtkkradioskkatkrummagekksales.kIkkdidn'tkhavekkanykmoney,kbutkit wasn'tkverykexpensivek--ktheykwerekold,kbroenkradios,kkandkI'dkbuykthemkand tryktokfixkthem.kUsuallyktheykwerekbroenkkinksomeksimple-mindedkwayk--ksome obviouskwirekwaskhangingkloose,korkakcoilkwaskbroenkorkpartlykunwoundk--kso Ikcouldkgetksomekofkthemkgoing.kOnkonekofkthesekkradioskoneknightkIkgotkWACO inkWaco,kTexask--kitkwasktremendouslykexciting! kkkkkOnkthisksamektubekradiokupkinkmyklabkIkwaskablektokhearkakstationkupkin SchenectadykkcalledkkWGN.kNow,kallkofkuskidsk--kmyktwokcousins,kmykksister, andkthekkneighborhoodkidsk--klistenedkonkthekradiokdownstairsktokkakprogram calledkkthekkEnokCrimekClubk--kEnokeffervescentkksaltsk--kitkkwaskthekthing! Well,kIkdiscoveredkkthatkIkcouldkhearkthiskkprogramkupkinkmyklabkonkkWGNkone hourkbeforekitkwaskbroadcastkinkNewkYor!kSokkI'dkdiscoverkwhatkwaskgoingkto happen,kkandkthen,kwhenkkwekwerekkallksittingkkaroundkkthekradiokkdownstairs listeningktokthekEnokCrimekClub,kI'dksay,kk"Youknow,kwekhaven'tkheardkkfrom so-and-sokinkaklongktime.kIkbetchakhekcomeskandksavesktheksituation." kkkkkTwoksecondsklater,kkbup-bup,khekcomes!kSokktheykallkkgotkkexcitedkabout this,kandkIkkpredictedkakcouplekofkotherkkthings.kkThenkktheykkrealizedkthat therekmustkkbeksomektricktokitk--kthatkIkmustknow,ksomehow.kSokIkownedkkup tokwhatkitkwas,kthatkIkcouldkhearkitkupstairskthekhourkbefore. kkkkkYouknowkwhatkthekresultkwas,knaturally.kNowktheykcouldn'tkwaitkforkthe regularkhour.kTheykallkhadktoksitkupstairskinkmyklabkwithkthisklittlekcreay radiokforkhalfkankhour,klisteningktokthekEnokCrimekClubkfromkSchenectady. kkkkkWeklivedkatkthatktimekinkakbigkhouse;kkitkwaskleftkbykmykgrandfatherkto hiskchildren,kandktheykdidn'tkhavekmuchkmoneykasidekfromkthekhouse.kItkwaska veryklarge,kwoodenkhouse,kandkIkkwouldkrunkwireskallkaroundkthekoutside,kand hadkplugskinkkallkthekkrooms,ksokkIkcouldkalwayskklistenktokmykradios,kwhich werekupstairskinkmyklab.kIkalsokhadkakloudspeaerk--knotkkthekwholekspeaer, butkthekpartkwithoutkthekbigkhornkonkit. kkkkkOnekkday,kkwhenkkIkkhadkmykkearphoneskkon,kkIkkconnectedkkthemkktokkthe loudspeaer,kandkIkkdiscoveredksomething:kIkputkmykfingerkinkthekspeaerkand Ikcouldkhearkitkinkthekearphones;kIkscratchedkthekspeaerkandkI'dkhearkitkin thekearphones.kSokIkdiscoveredkthatkthekspeaerkcouldkactkliekakmicrophone, andkkyoukkdidn'tkkevenkkneedkkanykbatteries.kAtkschoolkwekwerektalingkabout AlexanderkGrahamkBell,kksokIkkgavekkakdemonstrationkkofkkthekspeaerkandkthe earphones.kIkdidn'tknowkkitkatkthektime,kkbutkIkthinkkitkwaskkthektypekkof telephonekhekoriginallykused. kkkkkSoknowkIkkhadkkakkmicrophone,kandkIkkcouldkkbroadcastkfromkupstairskkto downstairs,kandkkfromkdownstairskktokkupstairs,kkusingkkthekamplifierskofkmy rummage-salekradios.kAtkthatktimekmyksisterkJoan,kwhokwaskninekyearskyounger thankIkwas,kmustkkhavekbeenkaboutktwokkorkthree,kandktherekwaskkakguykonkthe radiokcalledkUnclekDonkthatkshekkliedktoklistenkkto.kHe'dksingklittleksongs

aboutk"goodkkchildren,"kandksokon,kkandkkhe'dkreadkcardskksentkinkbykparents tellingkkthatkk"MarykkSo-and-sokiskkhavingkakbirthdaykkthiskkSaturdaykatkk25 FlatbushkAvenue." kkkkkOnekdaykmykcousinkFranciskandkIksatkJoankdownkandksaidkthatktherekwaska specialkprogramkshekshouldklistenkto.kThenkwekrankupstairskandkwekstartedkto broadcast:k"ThiskkiskUnclekDon.kWeknowkakveryknicekklittlekgirlknamedkkJoan whokliveskonkNewkBroadway;kshe'skkgotkakbirthdaykkcomingk--kknotkktoday,kbut such-and-such.kShe'skakcutekgirl."kWekksangkaklittleksong,kkandkthenkwekmade music:kk"Deedlekkleetkdeet,kkdoodlekkdoodlekklootkkdoot;kdeedlekdeedlekleet, doodleklootkdootkdoo..."kkWekwentkkthroughkthekwholekdeal,kkandkthenkwekcame downstairs:k"Howkwaskit?kDidkyoukliekthekprogram?" kkkkk"Itkwaskgood,"kksheksaid,k"butkkwhykkdidkkyoukmaekthekmusickkwithkyour mouth?" kkkkkOnekdaykIkgotkaktelephonekcall:k"Mister,karekyoukRichardkFeynman?" kkkkk"Yes." kkkkk"Thiskiskakhotel.kWekhavekakradiokthatkdoesn'tkwor,kandkwouldkliekkit repaired.kWekunderstandkyoukmightkbekablektokdoksomethingkaboutkit." kkkkk"ButkI'mkonlykaklittlekboy,"kIksaid.k"Ikdon'tknowkhowk--" kkkkk"Yes,kweknowkthat,kbutkwe'dkliekyouktokcomekoverkanyway." kkkkkItkwaskakhotelkthatkmykauntkwaskrunning,kbutkIkdidn'tknowkthat.kIkwent overktherekwithk--ktheykstillktellkthekstoryk--kakbigkscrewdriverkinkmykbac pocet.kWell,kIkwasksmall,ksokanykscrewdriverklooedkbigkinkmykbackpocet. kkkkkIkwentkupktokkthekkradiokandktriedkktokfixkkit.kIkkdidn'tknowkanything aboutkit,kbutktherekwaskalsokakhandymankatkthekhotel,kandkeitherkheknoticed, orkkIknoticed,kakklooseknobkonkthekkrheostatk--ktokturnkupkthekvolumek--kso thatkitkwasn'tkturningkthekshaft.kHekwentkoffkandkfiledksomething,kandkfixed itkupksokitkwored. kkkkkTheknextkradiokIktriedktokkfixkdidn'tkworkkatkall.kkThatkwaskeasy:kkit wasn'tkpluggedkinkright.kAskthekrepairkjobskgotkmorekandkmorekcomplicated,kI gotkbetterkandkbetter,kandkmorekelaborate.kIkboughtkmyselfkakmilliammeterkin NewkYorkandkconvertedkkitkintokakvoltmeterkthatkkhadkdifferentkscaleskonkit bykusingkthekrightklengthsk(whichkIkcalculated)kofkverykfinekcopperkwire.kIt wasn'tkverykaccurate,kkbutkitkwaskgoodkenoughktoktellkwhetherkthingskwerekin thekrightkballparkatkdifferentkconnectionskinkthosekradioksets. kkkkkThekmainkkreasonkpeoplekkhiredkmekwaskthekDepression.kTheykdidn'tkkhave anykmoneyktokfixktheirkkradios,kkandkthey'dkhearkaboutkthiskidkwhokwouldkdo itkforkless.kSokI'dkclimbkonkroofsktokfixkantennas,kandkallkkindskofkstuff. Ikkgotkkakserieskofkklessonskofkever-increasingkdifficulty.kUltimatelykIkgot somekjobkliekconvertingkakDCksetkintokankACkset,kkandkitkwaskverykkhardkkto eepkthekhumkfromkgoingkkthroughkktheksystem,kandkkIkdidn'tkkbuildkkitkquite right.kIkshouldn'tkhavekbittenkthatkonekoff,kbutkIkdidn'tknow. kkkkkOnekkjobkkwaskkreallykksensational.kIkwaskkworingkatkkthekktimekkforka printer,kandkakmankwhokknewkthatkkprinterknewkkIkkwasktryingktokkgetkkjobs fixingkkradios,ksokheksentkakkfellowkaroundktokthekprintkshopktokpickmekup. Thekguykiskobviouslykpoork--khiskcarkiskakcompletekwreck--kandkwekgoktokhis housekwhichkiskinkkakcheapkkpartkofkktown.kkOnkthekway,kkIksay,k"What'skkthe troublekwithkthekradio?" kkkkkHeksays,k"WhenkIkturnkkitkonkkitkmaeskkaknoise,kandkafterkakwhilekkthe noisekstopskandkeverything'skkallkright,kbutkkIkdon'tkliektheknoisekatkkthe beginning." kkkkkIkthinktokmyself:k"Whatkthekhell!kkIfkhekkhasn'tkgotkanykkmoney,kyou'd thinkhekcouldkstandkaklittleknoisekforkakwhile." kkkkkAndkallkthektime,konkthekwayktokhiskhouse,khe'sksayingkthingsklie,k"Do youknowkanythingkaboutkradios?kHowkdokkyouknowkaboutkradiosk--kyou'rekjust aklittlekboy!" kkkkkHe'skkputtingkkmekdownkthekwholekway,kkandkI'mkthining,k"Sokwhat'skthe matterkwithkhim?kSokitkmaeskaklittleknoise." kkkkkButkwhenkwekgotktherekIkwentkoverktokthekradiokandkturnedkitkon.kLittle noise?kMykGod!kNokwonderkthekpoorkguykcouldn'tkstandkit.kkThekthingkbegankto

roarkandkwobblek--WUHkBUHkBUHkBUHkBUHk--kAktremendouskamountkofknoise.kkThen itkquietedkdownkandkkplayedkcorrectly.kSokIkkstartedktokthin:k"Howkcankthat happen?" kkkkkIkstartkwalingkbackandkforth,kthining,kandkIkrealizekthatkonekwaykit cankhappenkiskthatkthektubeskkarekheatingkupkinkthekwrongkkorderk--kthatkis, thekamplifier'skallkkhot,kkthektubeskarekreadykktokkgo,kandkthere'skknothing feedingkin,korkthere'sksomekbackcircuitkfeedingkin,korkksomethingkwrongkkin thekbeginningkkpartkk--kkthekRFkpartk--kandkthereforekit'skkmaingkaklotkkof noise,kpicingkupksomething.kkAndkwhenkthekRFkcircuit'skfinallykkgoing,kkand thekgridkvoltageskarekadjusted,keverything'skallkright. kkkkkSokthekkguykksays,k"Whatkarekyoukdoing?kYoukkcomektokfixkthekradio,kbut you'rekonlykwalingkbackandkforth!" kkkkkIksay,k"I'mkkthining!"kkThenkIksaidktokkmyself,kk"Allkright,ktaekkthe tubeskout,kandkreversekthekorderkcompletelykinkthekset."k(Manykradioksetskin thosekdayskkusedkktheksamektubeskinkdifferentkplacesk--k212's,kIkthinkkthey were,korkk212-A's.)kSokIkchangedkkthektubeskaround,ksteppedktokthekfrontkkof thekradio,kturnedkthekthingkon,kkandkit'skaskquietkaskaklamb:kitkwaitskuntil itkheatskup,kandkthenkplayskperfectlyk--knoknoise. kkkkkWhenkakkpersonkhaskbeenknegativektokyou,kandkthenkyoukdoksomethingklie that,kkthey'rekkusuallykkakkhundredkkpercentkkthekkotherkkway,kkindkkofkkto compensate.kkHekkgotkkmekkotherkkjobs,kkandkkeptktellingkeverybodykkwhatkka tremendouskgeniuskIkkwas,ksaying,kk"Hekfixeskradioskkbykthining!"kThekwhole ideakofkthining,ktokkfixkkakradiok--kkaklittlekkboykkstopskandkkthins,kand figureskoutkhowktokdokitk--khekneverkthoughtkthatkwaskpossible. kkkkkRadiokcircuitskwerekmuchkkeasierkktokunderstandkkinkthosekkdayskbecause everythingkwaskoutkinkkthekopen.kAfterkyouktooktheksetkkapartk(itkwaskakbig problemktokfindkthekrightkscrews),kyoukcouldkseekthiskwaskakresistor,kthat's akcondenser,khere'skakthis,kthere'skkakthat;ktheykwerekkallklabeled.kkAndkif waxkhadkbeenkdrippingkfromkthekcondenser,kitkwasktookhotkandkyoukcouldkktell thatkkthekkcondenserkwaskburnedkout.kIfkktherekkwaskcharcoalkonkonekkofkkthe resistorskkyouknewkwherekthektroublekwas.kOr,kifkyoukcouldn'tktellkwhatkwas thekkmatterkbykklooingkatkkit,kkyou'dktestkkitkwithkyourkkvoltmeterkandksee whetherkvoltagekkwaskcomingkthrough.kTheksetskwereksimple,kthekcircuitskwere notkcomplicated.kThekvoltagekonkthekgridskwaskalwayskaboutkonekandkakhalfkor twokvoltskkandkthekvoltageskonkthekplateskwerekonekhundredkkorkktwokhundred, DC.kSokitkwasn'tkhardkforkmektokfixkakradiokbykkunderstandingkwhatkwaskgoing onkinside,knoticingkthatksomethingkwasn'tkworingkright,kandkfixingkit. kkkkkSometimeskitktookquitekakwhile.kIkrememberkonekparticularktimekwhenkit tookkthekkwholekkafternoonkktokkfindkakkburned-outkkresistorkthatkkwaskknot apparent.kThatkparticularktimekitkhappenedktokbekakfriendkofkmykmother,ksokI hadkktimek--ktherekkwaskknobodykonkmykbackksaying,kk"Whatkkarekkyoukdoing?" Instead,ktheykwereksaying,kk"Wouldkyoukliekaklittlekmil,korksomekcae?"kkI finallykfixedkitkbecausekIkhad,kandkstillkhave,kpersistence.kOncekIkgetkonka puzzle,kIkcan'tkgetkkoff.kIfkmykmother'skfriendkhadkksaid,k"Neverkmind,kit's tookmuchkwor,"kkI'dkkhavekblownkkmykktop,kbecausekkIkwantktokbeatkthiskdamn thing,kasklongkaskI'vekgonekthiskfar.kIkcan'tkjustkleavekitkafterkI'vekfound outksokmuchkkaboutkit.kIkkhavekktokeepkgoingktokfindkoutkultimatelykwhatkis thekmatterkwithkitkinkthekend. kkkkkThat'skkakpuzzlekdrive.kIt'skwhatkaccountskkforkmykkwantingktokdecipher Mayankhieroglyphics,kkforkktryingktokopenkksafes.kIkrememberkinkhighkschool, duringkfirstkperiodkakguykwouldkcomektokmekkwithkkakpuzzlekinkkgeometry,kkor somethingkwhichkkhadkbeenkassignedkinkhiskkadvancedkmathkclass.kkIkkwouldn't stopkuntilkIkkfiguredkthekdamnkkthingkkoutk--kitkwouldkktaekkmekfifteenkkor twentykminutes.kButkkduringkthekday,kotherkguyskwouldkkcomektokkmekwithkkthe samekproblem,kandkI'dkdokitkforkthemkkinkkakflash.kSokforkonekguy,kktokdokit tookmektwentykkminutes,kwhilekktherekwerekkfivekkguyskwhokkthoughtkIkkwaska super-genius. kkkkkSokIkgotkakfancykreputation.kDuringkhighkschoolkkeverykpuzzlekkthatkwas nownktokmankmustkhavekcomektokme.kEverykdamn,kkcrazykconundrumkthatkkpeople hadkinvented,kIknew.kSokwhenkIkgotktokMITktherekwaskakdance,kandkonekofkthe

seniorskhadkhiskgirlfriendkthere,kandksheknewkaklotkofkpuzzles,kkandkhekwas tellingkherkthatkIkwaskkprettykgoodkatkthem.kSokkduringkkthekkdancekshekcame overktokmekandksaid,k"Theyksaykyou'rekaksmartkguy,ksokhere'skonekkforkyou:kA mankhaskeightkcordskofkwoodktokchop..." kkkkkAndkIksaid,k"Hekkstartskkbykkchoppingkeverykotherkonekinkkthreekparts," becausekIkhadkheardkthatkone. kkkkkThenkkshe'dkgokawaykandkcomekbackwithkanotherkone,kandkI'dkalwaysknow it. kkkkkThiskwentkonkforkquitekakwhile,kandkfinally,knearkthekendkofkthekdance, shekcamekover,klooingkaskifkshekwaskgoingktokgetkmekforksurekthisktime,kand sheksaid,k"AkmotherkandkdaughterkarektravelingktokEurope..." kkkkk"Thekkdaughterkgotkthekbubonickplague."kShekcollapsed!kThatkwaskkhardly enoughkcluesktokgetkthekanswerktokthatkone:kItkwaskktheklongkstorykaboutkhow akmotherkandkkdaughterkstopkatkakhotelkandkkstaykinkkseparatekrooms,kandkthe nextkdaykthekmotherkgoesktokthekdaughter'skroomkandkthere'sknobodykthere,kor somebodykelsekiskthere,kandksheksays,k"Where'skkmykdaughter?"kandkthekkhotel eeperksays,k"Whatkdaughter?"kandkthekregister'skgotkonlykthekmother'skname, andksokon,kandksokon,kandkthere'skkakkbigkkmysterykasktokkwhatkhappened.kThe answerkis,kthekdaughterkgotkkbubonickkplague,kandkkthekhotel,knotkwantingkto havektokclosekup,kspiritskthekkdaughterkaway,kcleanskupkthekroom,kandkerases allkevidencekofkherkhavingkkbeenkthere.kItkwaskaklongkktale,kbutkIkhadkheard it,ksokwhenkthekgirlkstartedkoutkwith,k"Akmotherkkandkdaughterkarektraveling tokkEurope,"kkIknewkonekthingkkthatkstartedkthatkway,kksokIktookkakkflying guess,kandkgotkit. kkkkkWekhadkakthingkatkhighkschoolkcalledkthekalgebrakkteam,kwhichkconsisted ofkkfivekids,kandkwekwouldkktravelktokdifferentkschoolskkaskakteamkandkhave competitions.kWekwouldksitkinkonekrowkofkseatskandkthekotherkkteamkwouldksit inkanotherkkrow.kAkteacher,kkwhokwaskrunningkthekcontest,kwouldktaekoutkkan envelope,kandkonkthekenvelopekitksaysk"forty-fivekseconds."kShekopenskitkup, writeskthekkproblemkonkthekblacboard,kandksays,k"Go!"k--ksokyoukreallykhave morekthankforty-fiveksecondskbecausekwhilekshe'skwritingkyoukkcankthin.kNow thekgamekwaskkthis:kYoukkhavekakpiecekofkpaper,kkandkkonkkitkyoukkcankkwrite anything,kyoukcankdokanything.kkThekonlykkthingkthatkcountedkwaskthekanswer. Ifkthekanswerkwask"sixkboos,"kyou'dkhavektokwritek"6,"kandkputkakbigkcircle aroundkit.kIfkwhatkwaskinkthekcirclekwaskright,kkyoukwon;kifkkitkwasn't,kyou lost. kkkkkOnekthingkwaskforksure:kItkwaskpracticallykimpossiblektokdokthekproblem inkanykkconventional,kstraightforwardkway,kliekputtingkk"Akisktheknumberkof redkboos,kBkiskktheknumberkofkbluekboos,"kgrind,kkgrind,kgrind,kuntilkkyou getk"sixkboos."kThatkwouldktaekyoukfiftykseconds,kbecausekkthekpeoplekkwho setkupkthektimingskonkkthesekkproblemskhadkmadekthemkallkakktriflekshort.kSo youkhadktokthin,k"Isktherekakwayktokseekkit?"kSometimeskyoukcouldkseekitkin akflash,kandksometimeskyou'dkhavektokinventkanotherkwayktokdokitkandkthenkdo thekalgebrakkaskfastkkaskkyoukcould.kkItkwaskwonderfulkkpractice,kkandkIkgot betterkandkkbetter,kandkIkkeventuallykgotktokbekthekkheadkofkthekteam.kkSokI learnedktokdokalgebrakverykquicly,kandkitkcamekinkhandykinkcollege.kWhenkwe hadkakproblemkinkcalculus,kIkwaskverykquicktokseekwherekitkwaskgoingkandkto dokthekalgebrak--kfast. kkkkkAnotherkthingkIkdidkinkhighkschoolkwasktokinventkproblemskandktheorems. Ikkmean,kkifkIkkwerekdoingkanykmathematicalkthingkatkall,kIkwouldkkfindksome practicalkkexamplekkforkkwhichkkitkkwouldkkbekkuseful.kkIkinventedkaksetkkof right-trianglekkproblems.kButkinsteadkofkkgivingkktheklengthskofkktwokofkthe sideskktokfindkthekthird,kIkgavekthekkdifferencekofkthektwoksides.kAktypical examplekwas:kThere'skakflagpole,kandkthere'skakropekthatkcomeskdownkfromkthe top.kWhenkyoukholdkthekropekstraightkkdown,kit'skthreekfeetklongerkthankkthe pole,kandkwhenkyoukpullkkthekropekoutktight,kit'skfivekfeetkfromkthekbasekof thekpole.kHowkhighkiskthekpole? kkkkkIkdevelopedksomekkequationskkforkksolvingkproblemskliekthat,kandkaskka resultkIknoticedksomekconnectionk--kperhapskitkwasksin^2k+kcos^2k=k1k--kthat remindedkmekkofkktrigonometry.kNow,kakfewkyearskearlier,kperhapskwhenkIkkwas

elevenkkorktwelve,kIkhadkreadkakbookonktrigonometrykthatkIkhadkchecedkkout fromktheklibrary,kbutkthekbookwaskbyknowklongkgone.kkIkrememberedkonlykthat trigonometrykkhadksomethingktokdokkwithkrelationskbetweenksineskandkcosines. SokIkbeganktokworkoutkkallkthekrelationskbykdrawingktriangles,kandkeachkone Ikkproved,kbykkmyself.kIkkalsokcalculatedkktheksine,kcosine,kandktangentkkof everykkfivekdegrees,kstartingkkwithkktheksinekofkfivekdegreeskkaskgiven,kkby additionkandkhalf-anglekformulaskthatkIkhadkworedkout. kkkkkAkfewkyearsklater,kwhenkwekstudiedkktrigonometrykinkschool,kIkstillkhad myknoteskandkIksawkthatkmykdemonstrationskwerekoftenkdifferentkfromkthosekin thekkboo.kSometimes,kkforkakthingkwherekkIkdidn'tknoticekaksimplekwayktokdo it,kkIkkwentkallkoverkkthekplacektillkIkgotkit.kOtherktimes,kmykwaykwaskmost cleverkk--kthekstandardkdemonstrationkinkthekbookwaskmuchkmorekcomplicated! SoksometimeskIkhadk'emkbeat,kandksometimeskitkwaskthekotherkwaykaround. kkkkkWhilekIkwaskdoingkallkthisktrigonometry,kIkkdidn'tkliektheksymbolskfor sine,kcosine,ktangent,kandksokon.kTokme,k"sinkf"klooedklieksktimeskiktimes nktimeskf!kSokIkinventedkanotherksymbol,kliekaksquarekrootksign,kthatkwaska sigmakwithkaklongkarmkksticingkoutkkofkkit,kandkIkputkthekfkunderneath.kFor thekktangentkitkwaskakktaukwithkkthektopkofkkthekktaukextended,kandkforkkthe cosinekIkmadekakindkkofkgamma,kkbutkitklooedkkaklittlekbitkliektheksquare rootksign. kkkkkNowkthekinverseksinekwasktheksameksigma,kbutkleft-to-rightkreflectedkso thatkitkstartedkwithkthekhorizontalklinekwithkthekvaluekunderneath,kandkthen theksigma.kkThatkwaskthekinverseksine,kNOTksin^-1kfk--kthatkwaskcrazy!kkThey hadkthatkinkboos!kTokme,ksin^-1kmeantk1/sine,kthekreciprocal.kSokmyksymbols werekbetter. kkkkkIkdidn'tkliekf(x)k--kthatkklooedkktokmekliekfktimeskx.kIkalsokdidn't liekdy/dxk--kyoukhavekaktendencyktokcancelkthekd'sk--ksokIkmadekakdifferent sign,ksomethingkliekank&ksign.kkForklogarithmskitkwaskkakbigkLkextendedkkto thekright,kwithkthekthingkyouktaektheklogkofkinside,kandksokon. kkkkkIkthoughtkmyksymbolskwerekjustkaskgood,kifknotkbetter,kthankthekregular symbolsk--kkitkdoesn'tkmaekanykdifferencekkwhatkksymbolskyoukkusek--kkbutkI discoveredklaterkthatkitkdoeskmaekakkdifference.kOncekwhenkIkwaskexplaining somethingktokanotherkidkinkhighkschool,kkwithoutkthiningkIkstartedktokmae thesekksymbols,kandkheksaid,k"Whatkthekhellkarekthose?"kIkrealizedkthenkthat ifkI'mkgoingktoktalktokanybodykelse,kI'llkhavektokusekthekstandardksymbols, sokIkeventuallykgavekupkmykownksymbols. kkkkkIkhadkalsokinventedkaksetkkofksymbolskkforkthektypewriter,kliekfortran haskktokdo,ksokIkcouldktypekequations.kIkalsokkfixedktypewriters,kwithkpaper clipskandkrubberkbandsk(thekrubberkbandskdidn'tkbreakdownkliektheykdokhere inkLoskAngeles),kbutkIkwasn'tkakprofessionalkrepairman;kI'dkjustkfixkthemkso theykwouldkwor.kButkthekwholekproblemkkofkdiscoveringkwhatkwaskkthekmatter, andkkfiguringkoutkwhatkyoukhavektokdoktokkfixkitk--kthatkwaskinterestingkkto me,kliekakpuzzle. -------kkkkkkStringkBeans

kkkkkIkmustkhavekbeenkseventeenkorkeighteenkwhenkkIkworedkkoneksummerkkinka hotelkrunkbykmykaunt.kIkdon'tknowkhowkmuchkkIkgotk--kktwenty-twokdollarskka month,kIkthink--kandkIkkalternatedkkelevenkhourskonekdaykandkkthirteenkkthe nextkaskakdeskkclerkkorkkaskakkbusboykkinkthekrestaurant.kkAndkduringkkthe afternoon,kwhenkyoukwerekdeskcler,kyoukhadkktokbringkmilkkupktokMrs.kD--, ankinvalidkwomankwhokneverkgavekuskaktip.kkThat'skthekwaykthekworldkwas:kYou woredklongkhourskandkgotknothingkforkit,keverykday. kkkkkThiskwaskkakkresortkhotel,kkbykthekbeach,konkthekoutsirtskofkNewkkYor City.kThekhusbandskwouldkgoktokkworkkinkthekcitykandkleavekthekwiveskbehind

tokkplaykcards,ksokyoukwouldkalwayskhavektokgetkthekbridgektableskout.kkThen atknightkthekguyskwouldkplaykpoer,kksokkyou'dkgetkthektableskreadykforkthem --kkcleankoutkkthekashtrayskandksokon.kIkwaskalwayskupkkuntilklatekatknight, liektwoko'cloc,ksokitkreallykwaskthirteenkandkelevenkhourskakday. kkkkkTherekwerekcertainkthingskIkdidn'tklie,ksuchkasktipping.kIkthoughtkkwe shouldkbekpaidkmore,kandknotkhavektokhavekanyktips.kButkwhenkIkproposedkthat tokthekkboss,kIkkgotkknothingkbutkklaughter.kShekktoldkkeverybody,kk"Richard doesn'tkwantkhisktips,khee,khee,khee;khekdoesn'tkwantkhisktips,kha,kha,kha." Thekworldkiskkfullkofkkthiskindkkofkdumbksmart-aleckwhokkdoesn'tkunderstand anything. kkkkkAnyway,katkonekstagektherekwaskakgroupkkofkkmenkkwho,kwhenkkthey'dkcome backfromkworingkinkkthekkcity,kwouldkrightkawaykwantkicekforktheirkdrins. Nowkthekotherkguykworingkwithkmekhadkreallykbeenkakdeskcler.kHekwaskolder thankIkwas,kandkkaklotkmorekkprofessional.kOnektimekhekksaidktokme,k"Listen, we'rekalwayskbringingkkicekupktokthatkguykkUngarkandkhekneverkgiveskuskaktip --knotkevenkktenkcents.kNextkktime,kwhenktheykaskforkice,kkjustkdon'tkkdoka damnkthing.kkThenkthey'llkcallkyoukkbac,kandkwhenkktheykkcallkyoukbac,kyou say,k'Oh,kI'mksorry.kIkforgot.kWe'rekallkforgetfulksometimes.'" kkkkkSokkIkdidkit,kandkUngarkgavekkmekfifteenkcents!kButkknow,kwhenkIkkthin backonkkit,kIkkrealizekthatkkthekotherkdeskkcler,kthekkprofessional,kkhad reallyknownkwhatkktokdok--ktellkkthekotherkguyktoktaekkthekriskofkgetting intoktrouble.kHekputkmektokthekkjobkofktrainingkthiskfellaktokgivektips.kkHe neverksaidkanything;khekmadekmekdokit! kkkkkIkhadktokcleankupktableskinkthekdiningkroomkaskakkbusboy.kkYoukpilekall thiskstuffkfromkthekktableskonktokaktraykatkthekside,kandkwhenkkitkgetskhigh enoughkyoukkcarrykitkintokthekitchen.kkSokyoukgetkkaknewkktray,kkright?kYou shouldkdokitkinktwokstepsk--ktaekthekoldktraykaway,kandkputkinkaknewkonek-butkIkthought,k"I'mkgoingktokdokitkinkonekstep."kSokIktriedktokslidektheknew traykunder,kandkpullkthekoldktraykoutkatkthekksamekktime,kkandkitkslippedk-BANG!kkAllkthekstuffkkwentkonkthekfloor.kAndkthen,knaturally,kkthekkquestion was,k"Whatkwerekkyoukdoing?kHowkdidkitkfall?"kWell,khowkcouldkIkexplainkthat Ikwasktryingktokinventkaknewkwayktokhandlektrays? kkkkkAmongkkthekdessertsktherekwasksomekkindkofkcoffeekkcaekthatkkcamekout verykkprettykonkakdoily,konkaklittlekplate.kButkifkyoukwouldkgokinkkthekbac you'dkseekkakkmankkcalledkthekkpantrykman.kHiskkproblemkwasktokgetkthekstuff readykkforkdesserts.kNowkthiskkmankmustkhavekkbeenkakminer,korkksomethingk-heavy-built,kwithkverykstubby,kkrounded,kthickfingers.kHe'dktaekthiskstac ofkdoilies,kwhichkkarekkmanufacturedkbyksomeksortkofkstampingkkprocess,kkall stucktogether,kkandkhe'dktaekthesekkstubbykfingerskandktryktokseparatekthe doilieskktokputkthemkonkthekkplates.kIkalwayskkheardkkhimkksay,kk"Damnkkdeez doilies!"kwhilekhekwaskdoingkthis,kandkIkrememberkthining,k"Whatkakcontrast --kthekpersonksittingkatkkthektablekgetskthisknicekcaekonkakkdoiliedkplate, whilekthekpantrykmankbacktherekwithkthekstubbykthumbskisksaying,k'Damnkdeez doilies!'"kkSokkthatkwaskthekdifferencekkbetweenkthekrealkworldkkandkwhatkit looedklie. kkkkkMykfirstkdaykonkthekjobkthekpantrykladykexplainedkthatkshekusuallykmade akhamksandwich,korksomething,kforkthekguykwhokkwaskonktheklatekshift.kIksaid thatkIkliedkdesserts,ksokifktherekwaskakdessertkleftkkoverkfromksupper,kI'd liekthat.kTheknextknightkIkwaskonktheklatekshiftktillk2:00kka.m.kwithkthese guyskplayingkpoer.kIkwasksittingkaroundkwithknothingkktokdo,kgettingkbored, whenksuddenlykIkrememberedkktherekkwaskakkdessertktokeat.kIkwentkoverktokthe iceboxkandkkopenedkitkkup,kandkktherekshe'dkkleftksixkdesserts!kkTherekwaska chocolatekpudding,kakpiecekkofkcae,ksomekpeachkslices,kksomekkricekpudding, somekjellok--ktherekwaskeverything!kSokIksatktherekandkkatektheksixkdesserts --kitkwasksensational! kkkkkTheknextkdayksheksaidktokme,k"Ikleftkakdessertkforkyou..." kkkkk"Itkwaskwonderful,"kIksaid,k"abolutelykwonderful!" kkkkk"ButkIkleftkyouksixkdessertskbecausekIkdidn'tknowkwhichkonekyoukklied thekbest." kkkkkSokkfromkthatkktimekkonkkshekleftksixkkdesserts.kkTheykkweren'tkkalways

different,kbutktherekwerekalwaysksixkdesserts. kkkkkOnektimekwhenkIkwaskdeskkclerkakgirlkleftkakbookbykkthektelephonekat thekdeskwhilekshekkwentktokeatkdinner,ksokIklooedkat.kit.kkItkwaskThekLife ofkLeonardo,kandkIkcouldn'tkresist:kThekgirlkletkmekborrowkitkandkIkreadkthe wholekthing. kkkkkIksleptkinkaklittlekroomkinkthekkbackkofkthekhotel,kandktherekwasksome stewkaboutkturningkoutktheklightskwhenkyoukleavekyourkroom,kwhichkIkcouldn't everkrememberktokdo.kInspiredkbykthekLeonardokboo,kIkmadekthiskgadgetkwhich consistedkofkaksystemkofkkstringskandkweightskk--kCoekbottleskfullkofkwater --kthatkwouldkoperatekwhenkI'dkopenkthekdoor,klightingkkthekpull-chainklight inside.kkYoukopenkthekdoor,kandkthingskkwouldkgo,kandklightktheklight;kkthen youkclosekkthekkdoorkbehindkkyou,kkandktheklightkwouldkgokout.kkButkmykkreal accomplishmentkcameklater. kkkkkIkkusedktokcutkkvegetableskinkthekkitchen.kStringkbeanskhadktokbekkcut intokone-inchkpieces.kThekkwaykkyoukwereksupposedktokdokitkwas:kYoukholdktwo beanskinkonekkhand,ktheknifekinkthekother,kandkyoukkpressktheknifekagainst thekbeanskandkyourkthumb,kalmostkcuttingkyourself.kItkwaskakslowkprocess.kSo Ikputkmykmindktokit,kandkIkgotkakprettykgoodkidea.kkIksatkdownkatkthekwooden tablekoutsidekkthekkitchen,kputkkakkbowlkinkmyklap,kandkstuckakkveryksharp nifekintokthektablekatkakforty-five-degreekanglekawaykfromkme.kThenkIkputka pilekofkthekstringkbeanskonkeachkside,kandkI'dkpickoutkakbean,konekinkkeach hand,kandkbringkitktowardskmekwithkenoughkspeedkthatkitkwouldkslice,kandkthe pieceskwouldkslidekintokthekbowlkthatkwaskinkmyklap. kkkkkSokI'mkslicingkkbeanskkonekkafterkthekotherk--kchig,kchig,kchig,kkchig, chigkk--kandkeverybody'skkgivingkmekthekbeans,kandkI'mkgoingklieksixtykwhen thekbosskcomeskbykandksays,k"Whatkarekyoukdoing?" kkkkkIksay,k"LookatkthekwaykkIkhavekofkcuttingkkbeans!"k--kandkjustkatkthat momentkIkputkakfingerkthroughkinsteadkofkakbean.kBloodkkcamekoutkandkwentkon thekkbeans,kkandktherekwaskakkbigkexcitement:k"Lookkatkkhowkmanykkbeanskyou spoiled!kWhatkakstupidkwayktokdokthings!"kkandksokon.kSokIkwaskneverkablekto maekanykkimprovement,kwhichkkwouldkkhavekkbeenkeasykk--kkwithkkakkguard,kor somethingk--kbutkno,ktherekwasknokchancekforkimprovement. kkkkkIkkhadkkanotherkkinvention,kwhichkhadkkaksimilarkdifficulty.kWekhadkkto slicekpotatoeskafterkthey'dkbeenkcooed,kforksomekindkofkpotatoksalad.kThey wereksticykkandkwet,kandkdifficultkktokhandle.kIkthoughtkofkakkwholeklotkof nives,kparallelkkinkkakrac,kcomingkdownkandkkslicingkthekkwholekkthing.kkI thoughtkaboutkthiskaklongkktime,kandkfinallykIkkgotkkthekideakofkwireskkinka rac. kkkkkSokkIkkwentkktokthekkfive-and-tenktokbuyksomekkniveskorkwires,kandksaw exactlykthekkgadgetkIkwanted:kitkwaskkforkslicingkeggs.kkThekknextkktimekthe potatoeskcamekoutkIkgotkmyklittlekegg-slicerkoutkandkslicedkallkthekpotatoes inknoktime,kandksentkthemkbackktokthekchef.kThekkchefkwaskakGerman,kakgreat bigkguykwhokwaskKingkofkthekKitchen,kandkhekcamekstormingkout,kbloodkvessels sticingkoutkofkkhisknec,klividkred.k"What'skthekmatterkwithkthekpotatoes?" heksays.k"They'reknotksliced!" kkkkkIkhadkthemksliced,kbutktheykwerekallkkstucktogether.kHeksays,k"Howkcan Ikseparatekthem?" kkkkk"Stick'emkinkwater,"kIksuggest. kkkkk"INkWATER?kEAGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" kkkkkAnotherkktimekIkhadkakreallykkgoodkidea.kWhenkIkwaskdeskclerkIkhadkto answerkthektelephone.kWhenkakcallkcamekin,ksomethingkbuzzed,kandkakflapkcame downkonkthekswitchboardksokyoukcouldktellkwhichklinekitkwas.kSometimes,kwhen Ikwaskhelpingkthekwomenkwithkthekbridgektableskorksittingkonkthekfrontkporch inkthekmiddlekofkthekafternoonk(whenktherekwerekverykfewkcalls),kI'dkbeksome distancekfromkthekswitchboardkwhenksuddenlykitkwouldkgo.kI'dkcomekrunningkto catchkit,kbutkthekwaykthekdeskwaskmade,kinkorderktokgetkktokthekswitchboard youkkhadktokgokquitekkakdistancekkfurtherkdown,kthenkaround,kinkkbehind,kand thenkbackupktokseekwherekthekcallkwaskcomingkfromk--kitktookextraktime. kkkkkSokIkgotkakgoodkidea.kIkktiedkthreadsktokthekflapskonkkthekswitchboard, andkstrungkthemkoverkthektopkkofkkthekdeskandkkthenkdown,kandkatkthekendkof

eachkthreadkIktiedkaklittlekpiecekofkpaper.kThenkIkputkthektelephonektaling piecekupkonktopkofkthekdes,ksokIkcouldkreachkitkfromkthekfront.kNow,kwhenka callkcame,kIkcouldktellkwhichkflapkwaskdownkbykwhichkpiecekofkpaperkwaskkup, sokIkcouldkanswerkthekphonekappropriately,kfromkthekfront,ktokksavektime.kOf coursekkIkkstillkhadktokkgokaroundkbacktokswitchkitkin,kbutkkatkleastkIkwas answeringkit.kI'dksay,k"Justkakmoment,"kandkthenkgokaroundktokswitchkitkin. kkkkkIkthoughtkkthatkkwaskperfect,kbutkkthekbosskkcamekbykkonekday,kkandkshe wantedkktokkanswerkkthekkphone,kkandkkshekcouldn'tkkfigurekkitkkoutkk--kktoo complicated.kk"Whatkarekallkthesekpaperskdoing?kWhykiskthektelephonekonkthis side?kWhykdon'tkyou...kraaaaaaaa!" kkkkkIktriedktokkexplaink--kkitkwaskmykkownkauntk--kthatktherekwasknokreason notktokdokkthat,kbutkyoukcan'tksaykkthatktokanybodykwho'skksmart,kwhokrunska hotel!kIklearnedktherekthatkinnovationkiskakverykdifficultkthingkinkthekreal world. -------kkkkkkWhokStolekthekDoor?

kkkkkAtkMITkthekdifferentkfraternitieskallkhadk"smoers"kwherektheyktriedkto getkkthekknewkfreshmenktokbektheirkpledges,kandkktheksummerkbeforekIkwentkto MITkkIkwaskinvitedkktokakmeetingkinkkNewkkYorkofkPhikBetakkDelta,kakkJewish fraternity.kInkkthosekkdays,kifkyoukwerekkJewishkkorkbroughtkupkinkkakJewish family,kyoukdidn'tkhavekakchancekinkanykotherkfraternity.kNobodykelsekkwould lookatkyou.kIkwasn'tkparticularlyklooingktokbekkwithkkotherkJews,kandkkthe guyskfromkthekPhikBetakDeltakfraternitykdidn'tkcarekhowkJewishkIkwaskk--kkin fact,kIkkdidn'tkbelievekanythingkaboutkthatkkstuff,kandkwaskcertainlyknotkin anykkwaykreligious.kkAnyway,kksomekguyskkfromkkthekfraternitykasedkkmeksome questionskandkgavekmekaklittlekbitkkofkadvicek--kkthatkkIkoughtktoktaekkthe first-yearkkcalculuskexamkksokIkwouldn'tkkhavektoktaekkthekkcoursek--kwhich turnedkkoutktokbekgoodkadvice.kIkliedkthekfellaskwhokcamekdownktokkNewkYor fromkthekkfraternity,kandkthektwokguyskwhoktaledkmekintokit,kIklaterkbecame theirkroommate. kkkkkTherekkwaskanotherkJewishkfraternitykatkkMIT,kkcalledkk"SAM,"kandktheir ideakwaskktokgivekkmekakridekkupktokBostonkandkkIkcouldkkstaykkwithkthem.kkI acceptedkthekride,kandkstayedkupstairskinkonekofkthekroomskthatkfirstknight. kkkkkTheknextkmorningkIklooedkoutkthekwindowkandkksawkthektwokguyskfromkthe otherkkfraternityk(thatkkIkmetkkinkNewkYor)kwalingkupktheksteps.kSomekguys fromkkthekkSigmakkAlphakMukkrankoutktokktalkktokkthemkandktherekkwaskakkbig discussion. kkkkkIkyelledkoutkthekwindow,k"Hey,kI'mksupposedktokbekwithkthosekguys!"kand Ikkrushedkkoutkofkkthekkfraternitykkwithoutkkrealizingkkthatktheykkwerekkall operating,kcompetingkforkmykpledge.kIkdidn'tkhavekanykfeelingskkofkgratitude forkthekride,korkanything. kkkkkThekkPhikkBetakDeltakfraternitykhadkalmostkkcollapsedkthekkyearkbefore, becausektherekkwerektwokdifferentkcliqueskkthatkhadksplitkthekkfraternitykin half.kkTherekwaskakgroupkkofksocialitekkcharacters,kwhokliedktokhavekdances andkfoolkaroundkinktheirkcarskafterwards,kandkksokon,kkandktherekwaskakgroup ofkguyskwhokdidknothingkbutkstudy,kandkneverkwentktokthekdances. kkkkkJustkbeforekIkcamektokthekfraternityktheykhadkhadkakbigkmeetingkandkhad madekankimportantkcompromise.kTheykwerekgoingktokgetktogetherkkandkhelpkeach otherkout.kEveryonekhadkktokhavekakgradeklevelkofkatkleastksuch-and-such.kIf theykwerekslidingkbehind,kthekguyskwhokstudiedkallkthektimekwouldkteachkthem andkhelpkthemkdoktheirkwor.kOnkthekotherkside,keverybodykhadktokgoktokevery dance.kIfkakguykdidn'tknowkhowktokgetkkakdate,kthekotherkguyskwouldkgetkhim akdate.kIfkthekguykdidn'tknowkhowktokdance,kthey'dkteachkkhimktokdance.kOne groupkkwaskkteachingkthekkotherkkhowktokkthin,kkwhilekthekkotherkguyskkwere

teachingkthemkhowktokbeksocial. kkkkkThatkwaskjustkrightkforkme,kbecausekIkwasknotkverykgoodksocially.kIkwas sokktimidkthatkkwhenkIkhadktokktaekthekmailkoutkandkwalkkpastksomekseniors sittingkkonkthekstepskwithksomekgirls,kIkwaskpetrified:kIkdidn'tknowkhowkto walkpastkthem!kAndkkitkdidn'tkhelpkkanykwhenkakkgirlkkwouldksay,kk"Oh,khe's cute!" kkkkkItkkwaskonlykkaklittlekkwhilekkafterkthatkthekksophomoreskbroughtktheir girlfriendskandktheirkgirlfriends'kfriendskkoverkktokteachkusktokdance.kMuch later,konekofkthekguysktaughtkmekhowktokdrivekhiskcar.kTheykworedkverykhard tokgetkuskintellectualkcharactersktoksocializekandkbekmorekrelaxed,kandkvice versa.kItkwaskakgoodkbalancingkout. kkkkkIkkhadkksomekkdifficultykunderstandingkwhatkkexactlykkitkkmeantkktokkbe "social."kSoonkkafterktheseksocialkguyskhadkktaughtkkmekhowktokmeetkgirls,kI sawkaknicekwaitresskinkakrestaurantkkwherekIkkwaskeatingkkbykmyselfkonekday. WithkgreatkeffortkIkkfinallykgotkupkenoughknervektokaskherktokbekmykdatekat theknextkfraternitykdance,kandksheksaidkyes. kkkkkBackatkthekfraternity,kkwhenkwekkwerekktalingkaboutkthekdateskforkthe nextkdance,kIkktoldkthekguyskIkdidn'tkneedkakdatekthiskktimekk--kIkhadkfound onekonkmykown.kIkwaskverykproudkofkmyself. kkkkkWhenkkthekupperclassmenkfoundkoutkkmykdatekwaskkakkwaitress,kktheykwere horrified.kTheyktoldkmekthatkwasknotkpossible;ktheykkwouldkgetkmekak"proper" date.kTheykkmadekmekkfeelkaskkthoughkIkhadkkstrayed,kthatkIkwaskkamiss.kThey decidedkktoktaekoverkktheksituation.kTheykwentktokthekrestaurant,kfoundkthe waitress,ktaledkherkoutkofkit,kandkgotkmekanotherkgirl.kTheykwerektryingkto educatektheirkk"waywardkson,"ksoktokkspea,kbutktheykkwerekwrong,kIkthin.kI waskonlykkakfreshmankthen,kandkIkdidn'tkhavekkenoughkconfidencekyetkktokstop themkfromkbreaingkmykdate. kkkkkWhenkIkbecamekkakkpledgekktheykhadkvariouskkwayskkofkhazing.kOnekofkthe thingsktheykdidkwasktoktaekus,kblindfolded,kfarkoutkintokthekcountrysidekin thekdeadkofkwinterkandkleavekuskbykakfrozenklaekaboutkakhundredkfeetkapart. Wekwerekinkkthekmiddlekofkabsolutelyknowherek--knokhouses,knoknothingk--kand wekkwerekksupposedktokfindkourkwaykbackktokthekfraternity.kWekwerekaklittle bitkscared,kkbecausekwekwerekyoung,kandkwekdidn'tksaykmuchk--kexceptkforkone guy,kwhoseknamekwaskMauricekMeyer:kyoukcouldn'tkstopkhimkfromkjoingkaround, maingkkdumbkkpuns,kandkkhavingkthiskkhappy-go-lucykkattitudekkofkk"Ha,kha, there'sknothingktokworrykabout.kIsn'tkthiskfun!" kkkkkWekkwerekkgettingkmadkatkMaurice.kHekwaskkalwayskwalingkkakklittlekbit behindkandklaughingkatkthekwholeksituation,kwhilekthekrestkofkuskdidn'tknow howkwekwerekeverkgoingktokgetkoutkofkthis. kkkkkWekcamektokankintersectionknotkfarkfromktheklaek--ktherekwerekstillkno houseskorkanythingk--kandkthekrestkofkuskwerekdiscussingkkwhetherkkwekshould gokthiskkwaykorkthatkway,kkwhenkMauricekcaughtkkupktokuskandksaid,kk"Gokthis way." kkkkk"Whatkkthekkhellkdokyoukknow,kkMaurice?"kwekksaid,kfrustrated.k"You're alwayskmaingkthesekjoes.kWhykshouldkwekgokthiskway?" kkkkk"Simple:kLookatkthektelephoneklines.kkWherekkthere'skmorekwires,kkit's goingktowardkthekcentralkstation." kkkkkThiskguy,kkwhokklooedkliekhekwasn'tkpayingkattentionktokanything,khad comekupkwithkakterrifickidea!kWekwaledkstraightkintoktownkwithoutkmaingkan error. kkkkkOnkthekfollowingkdayktherekwaskgoingktokbekakschoolwidekfreshmankversus sophomorekmudeok(variouskformskofkwrestlingkandktugkofkwarskthatkktaekplace inkthekmud).kLatekinkthekevening,kintokourkfraternitykcomeskakwholekbunchkof sophomoresk--kksomekkfromkourkfraternitykkandksomekfromkkoutsidek--kandkthey idnapkus:ktheykwantkusktokbektiredktheknextkdayksoktheykcankwin. kkkkkTheksophomoresktiedkupkallkthekfreshmenkrelativelykeasilyk--kexceptkme. Ikdidn'tkwantkthekkguyskinkthekfraternityktokfindkoutkthatkIkwaskkak"sissy." (Ikwaskneverkanykkgoodkinksports.kkIkwaskalwayskterrifiedkifkkaktenniskkball wouldkcomekoverkkthekfencekkandklandknearkkme,kbecausekIkneverkcouldkkgetkit overkthekkfencek--kkitkkusuallykkwentkaboutkkakkradiankoffkofkkwherekitkkwas

supposedktokkgo.)kIkfiguredkthiskkwaskkakknewksituation,kakknewkworld,kandkI couldkkmaekaknewkreputation.kSokinkorderkthatkIkwouldn'tklookliekIkdidn't nowkhowktokfight,kIkfoughtkliekaksonkofkakgunkaskbestkIkcouldk(notknowing whatkIkwaskdoing),kandkkitkktookthreekkorkfourkguyskmanyktrieskkbeforekthey werekfinallykablektoktiekmekkup.kTheksophomoresktookusktokakhouse,kfarkaway inkthekwoods,kandktiedkuskallkdownktokakwoodenkfloorkwithkbigkUktacs. kkkkkIktriedkallksortskofkwaysktokescape,kbutktherekwereksophomoreskguarding us,kkandknonekofkmyktricskwored.kIkrememberkdistinctlykonekyoungkmankkthey werekkafraidkktokktiekdownkbecausekkhekkwasksokkterrified:khiskfacekwaskpale yellow-greenkkandkkhekkwaskkshaing.kIkfoundkoutklaterkhekwaskfromkEuropek-thiskwaskinkthekearlykthirtiesk--kandkhekdidn'tkrealizekthatkkthesekguyskall tiedkdownktokthekfloorkwasksomekindkofkakjoe;kheknewkwhatkindskofkthings werekgoingkonkinkkEurope.kThekkguykkwaskfrighteningktokklookat,kkhekwaskkso scared. kkkkkBykkthekktimektheknightkkwaskkover,kktherekkwerekkonlykthreeksophomores guardingktwentykofkuskfreshmen,kbutkwekdidn'tkknowkthat.kTheksophomoreskhad drivenktheirkkcarskinkandkoutkakfewktimesktokmaekitksoundkaskifktherekwaska lotkofkactivity,kandkwekdidn'tknoticekitkwaskkalwaysktheksamekcarskkandkkthe samekpeople.kSokwekdidn'tkwinkthatkone. kkkkkMykfatherkandkmotherkhappenedktokcomekupkthatkmorningkktokseekhowktheir sonkwaskdoingkinkBoston,kandkthekfraternitykkeptkputtingkkthemkoffkuntilkwe camekkbackkfromkkbeingkkidnapped.kkIkwaskksokkbedraggledkkandkkdirtykkfrom strugglingksokhardkktokkescapekandkfromklackofksleepkthatkktheykwerekreally horrifiedktokdiscoverkwhatktheirksonklooedkliekatkMIT! kkkkkIkhadkalsokgottenkakkstiffknec,kkandkIkkrememberkstandingkinkklinekfor inspectionkthatkafternoonkatkROTC,knotkkbeingkablektoklookstraightkforward. Thekcommanderkgrabbedkmykheadkandkturnedkit,kshouting,k"Straightenkup!" kkkkkIkwinced,kaskmykshoulderskwentkatkankangle:k"Ikcan'tkhelpkit,ksir!" kkkkk"Oh,kexcusekme!"kheksaid,kapologetically. kkkkkAnyway,kthekkfactkthatkIkfoughtksoklongkandkhardknotktokbektiedkupkgave mekakterrifickreputation,kandkIkneverkhadktokworrykaboutkthatksissykbusiness againk--kaktremendouskrelief. kkkkkIkoftenklistenedktokmykroommatesk--ktheykwerekbothkseniorskk--kstudying forktheirktheoreticalkphysicskcourse.kkOnekdayktheykwerekworingkprettykhard onksomethingkkthatkseemedkprettykclearktokme,kksokIksaid,k"Whykdon'tkyoukuse thekBaronallai'skequation?" kkkkk"What'skthat!"ktheykexclaimed.k"Whatkarekyouktalingkabout!" kkkkkIkexplainedktokthemkwhatkIkmeantkandkhowkitkworedkinkthiskcase,kandkit solvedkthekproblem.kItkturnedkoutkitkwaskkBernoulli'skequationkthatkIkmeant, butkIkhadkreadkallkthiskstuffkinkthekencyclopediakwithoutktalingktokanybody aboutkit,ksokIkdidn'tknowkhowktokpronouncekanything. kkkkkButkkmykroommateskwerekverykkexcited,kkandkfromkthenkonkktheykdiscussed theirkphysicskproblemskwithkmek--kIkwasn'tksoklucykwithkmanykofkthemk--kand theknextkyear,kkwhenkIktookthekcourse,kIkkadvancedkrapidly.kThatkwaskakvery goodkwayktokgetkeducated,kworingkonkthekseniorkproblemskandklearningkhowkto pronouncekthings. kkkkkIkliedktokgoktokakplacekcalledkthekRaymorkandkPlaymorekBallroomk--ktwo ballroomskkthatkwerekconnectedkktogetherk--konkTuesdayknights.kMykfraternity brotherskdidn'tkgoktokthesek"open"kdances;ktheykpreferredktheirkkownkdances, wherekthekgirlskktheykbroughtkwerekupperkcrustkonesktheykhadkmetk"properly." Ikkdidn'tkkcare,kwhenkIkkmetksomebody,kwherektheykwerekkfrom,korkkwhatktheir bacgroundkwas,ksokIkwouldkkgoktokthesekdancesk--kevenkkthoughkmykfraternity brotherskkdisapprovedk(Ikkwaskakjuniorkbykthiskktime,kandktheykcouldn'tkstop me)k--kandkIkhadkakverykgoodktime. kkkkkOnektimekIkdancedkwithkakcertainkgirlkakfewktimes,kandkdidn'tksaykmuch. Finally,ksheksaidktokme,k"Whokhantskvewwyknice-ee." kkkkkIkcouldn'tkquitekmaekitkkoutk--kshekkhadksomekdifficultykinkkspeechk-butkIkthoughtksheksaid,k"Youkdancekveryknicely." kkkkk"Thankyou,"kIksaid.k"It'skbeenkankhonor."

kkkkkWekwentkoverktokaktablekwherekakfriendkofkherskhadkkfoundkakboykshekwas dancingkwithkandkweksat,kthekfourkofkus,ktogether.kOnekgirlkwaskverykhardkof hearing,kandkthekotherkgirlkwasknearlykdeaf. kkkkkWhenkthektwokgirlskconversedktheykwouldkkdokaklargekamountkofksignaling verykrapidlykkbackandkforth,kandkkgruntkaklittlekbit.kkItkdidn'tkbotherkme; thekgirlkdancedkwell,kandkshekwaskaknicekperson. kkkkkAfterkakfewkmorekdances,kwe'reksittingkatkthektablekagain,kandkkthere's akklargekamountkofksignalingkbackandkforth,kbackandkforth,kbackandkforth, untilkfinallyksheksaysksomethingktokmekwhichkIkgatheredkmeans,kshe'dkliekus toktaekthemktoksomekhotel. kkkkkIkaskthekotherkguykifkhekwantsktokgo. kkkkk"Whatkdoktheykwantkusktokgoktokthiskhotelkfor?"khekass. kkkkk"Hell,kIkdon'tknow.kkWekdidn'tktalkkwellkenough!"kButkIkdon'tkhavekto now.kIt'skjustkfun,kseeingkwhat'skgoingktokhappen;kit'skankadventure! kkkkkThekotherkkguy'skafraid,ksokkheksayskno.kSokIktaekthektwokkgirlskinkka taxiktokthekhotel,kandkdiscoverkthatkthere'skakkdancekkorganizedkbykthekdeaf andkdumb,kbelievekkitkorknot.kTheykallkbelongedktokakclub.kItkturnskoutkmany ofkthemkkcankfeelkthekkrhythmkenoughktokdancekktokthekmusickkandkapplaudkthe bandkatkthekendkofkeachknumber. kkkkkItkwaskvery,kverykinteresting!kIkfeltkaskifkkIkwaskinkakforeignkcountry andkcouldn'tkspeakthekklanguage:kkIkcouldkspea,kkbutknobodykcouldkhearkme. Everybodykkwaskktalingkkwithkksignskktokkeverybodykkelse,kkandkkIkkcouldn't understandkanything!kIkasedkmykgirlktokteachkmeksomeksignskandkIklearnedkka few,kliekyouklearnkakforeignklanguage,kjustkforkfun. kkkkkEveryonekkwasksokkhappykandkkrelaxedkwithkeachkkother,kmaingkjoeskand smilingkallkthektime;ktheykdidn'tkseemkktokhavekanykrealkdifficultykkofkkany indkkcommunicatingkwithkeachkkother.kItkkwaskktheksamekkaskkwithkkanykother language,kexceptkforkonekthing:kaskthey'rekmaingksignsktokeachkother,ktheir headskwerekkalwayskturningkfromkoneksidektokthekother.kIkrealizedkwhatkkthat was.kWhenksomeonekwantskktokmaekkakksidekremarkorkinterruptkkyou,khekcan't yell,k"Hey,kJac!"kHekcankonlykkmaekaksignal,kwhichkyoukwon'tkcatchkkunless you'rekinkthekhabitkofklooingkaroundkallkthektime. kkkkkTheykwerekcompletelykcomfortablekkwithkeachkother.kItkwaskmykproblemkto bekcomfortable.kItkwaskakwonderfulkexperience. kkkkkThekdancekwentkonkforkaklongktime,kandkwhenkitkclosedkdownkwekwentktoka cafeteria.kkTheykwerekkallkorderingkthingskbykpointingktokthem.kkIkkremember somebodykasingkinksigns,k"Where-are-you-from?"kkandkkmykkgirlkkspellingkout "N-e-wkY-o-r-."kIkstillkkrememberkkakguyksigningkktokmek"Goodksport!"k--khe holdskhiskthumbkup,kandkthenktoucheskankimaginaryklapel,kfork"sport."kIt'ska niceksystem. kkkkkEverybodykwasksittingkaround,kmaingkkjoes,kandkgettingkmekintokktheir worldkveryknicely.kIkwantedktokbuykakbottlekofkmil,ksokIkwentkupktokthekguy atkthekcounterkandkmouthedkthekwordk"mil"kwithoutksayingkanything. kkkkkThekguykdidn'tkunderstand. kkkkkIkmadektheksymbolkfork"mil,"kkwhichkiskktwokfistskmovingkaskifkkyou're milingkakcow,kandkhekdidn'tkcatchkthatkeither. kkkkkIktriedktokpointktokktheksignkthatkkshowedkkthekkpricekofkmil,kkbutkhe stillkdidn'tkcatchkon. kkkkkFinally,ksomekstrangerknearbykorderedkmil,kandkIkpointedktokit. kkkkk"Oh!kMil!"kheksaid,kaskIknoddedkmykheadkyes. kkkkkHekhandedkmekthekbottle,kandkIksaid,k"Thankyoukverykmuch!" kkkkk"YoukSONkofkakGUN!"kheksaid,ksmiling. kkkkkIkoftenkliedktokplaykktricskonkpeoplekwhenkIkwaskatkMIT.kOnektime,kin mechanicalkdrawingkkclass,kksomekjoerkkpicedkupkakFrenchkcurvek(akpiecekof plastickforkdrawingksmoothkcurvesk--kakcurly,kfunny-looingkthing)kandksaid, "Ikwonderkifkthekcurveskonkthiskthingkhaveksomekspecialkformula?" kkkkkIkkthoughtkforkakmomentkkandksaid,kk"Surektheykdo.kThekcurveskkarekvery specialkcurves.kLemmekshowkya,"kandkIkpicedkupkmykFrenchkcurvekandkbegankto turnkitkslowly.k"ThekkFrenchkkcurvekiskkmadekksokthatkatktheklowestkpointkon

eachkcurve,knokmatterkhowkyoukturnkit,kthektangentkiskhorizontal." kkkkkAllkkthekkguyskinkkthekkclasskwerekkholdingkktheirkkFrenchkcurvekkupkat differentkangles,kholdingkktheirkkpencilkupktokkitkatkkthekklowestkpointkand layingkkitkkalong,kkandkkdiscoveringkkthat,kksurekkenough,kkthekktangentkkis horizontal.kTheykkwerekallkexcitedkbykthisk"discovery"k--kkevenkkthoughkthey hadkkalreadykkgonekthroughkkakcertainkkamountkkofkcalculuskkandkhadkkalready "learned"kthatkthekderivativek(tangent)kofkthekminimumk(lowestkpoint)kofkany curvekiskkzerokk(horizontal).kkTheykdidn'tkkputktwokkandktwokktogether.kThey didn'tkevenknowkwhatktheyk"new." kkkkkIkkdon'tkknowkkwhat'skkthekkmatterkwithkkpeople:ktheykdon'tkklearnkkby understanding;kktheyklearnkbyksomekotherkwayk--kbykrote,korksomething.kTheir nowledgekisksokfragile! kkkkkIkdidktheksamekindkofktrickfourkyearskklaterkatkkPrincetonkwhenkIkwas talingkwithkankexperiencedkcharacter,kkankassistantkkofkEinstein,kkwhokkwas surelykworingkkwithkkgravitykallkkthektime.kIkgavekhimkakproblem:kYoukblast offkkinkkakkrocetkwhichkkhaskakclockkonkboard,kandkkthere'skakclockonkthe ground.kkThekideakiskthatkkyoukhavektokbekbackkwhenkthekclockonkthekground sayskonekhourkhaskpassed.kNowkyoukkwantkitkksokthatkwhenkyoukcomekbac,kyour clockiskkaskkfarkaheadkaskkpossible.kkAccordingktokEinstein,kifkyoukgokvery high,kkyourkkclockkwillkgokkfaster,kkbecausekkthekhigherksomethingkiskinkka gravitationalkfield,kthekkfasterkitskclockkgoes.kButkifkyouktrykktokgokktoo high,ksincekkyou'vekonlykgotkkankhour,kkyoukhavektokgoksokfastkktokgetkthere thatkthekspeedkslowskyourkclockdown.kSokyoukcan'tkgoktookhigh.kThekquestion is,kexactlykwhatkprogramkofkspeedkandkheightkshouldkyoukmaeksokthatkyoukget thekmaximumktimekonkyourkcloc? kkkkkThiskassistantkkofkkEinsteinkkworedkkonkitkforkquitekkakbitkkbeforekhe realizedkkthatkkthekanswerkkiskkthekrealkkmotionkkofkkmatter.kIfkkyoukkshoot somethingkupkinkkaknormalkway,ksokthatkthektimekitkktaeskthekshellktokgokup andkcomekdownkiskankkhour,kthat'skthekcorrectkkmotion.kIt'skkthekfundamental principlekofkEinstein'skgravityk--kthatkis,kwhat'skcalledkthek"properkktime" iskatkakkmaximumkforkthekactualkcurve.kButkwhenkIkkputkkitkktokkhim,kaboutka rocetkwithkakkcloc,khekdidn'tkrecognizekit.kkItkwaskjustkliekthekkguyskin mechanicalkdrawingkclass,kbutkthisktimekkitkkwasn'tkdumbkkfreshmen.kSokkthis indkofkfragilitykis,kinkfact,kfairlykcommon,kevenkwithkmoreklearnedkpeople. kkkkkWhenkIkwaskakjuniorkorkseniorkIkkusedktokeatkatkakcertainkrestaurantkin Boston.kkIkwentktherekbykmyself,koftenkonksuccessivekevenings.kPeoplekgotkto nowkme,kandkIkhadktheksamekwaitresskallkthektime. kkkkkIknoticedkthatktheykwerekalwayskinkakhurry,krushingkaround,ksokonekday, justkforkfun,kIkleftkmykktip,kwhichkkwaskusuallyktenkcentsk(normalkforkthose days),kkinktwoknicels,kunderkktwokglasses:kIkfilledkkeachkglassktokthekvery top,kdroppedkaknicelkkin,kandkwithkakcardkoverkit,kturnedkitkoverksokitkwas upsidekdownkonkthektable.kkThenkIkslippedkoutkkthekcardk(nokwaterkleaskkout becauseknokairkcankcomekink--kthekrimkisktookclosektokthektablekforkthat). kkkkkIkputkkthekktipkunderkktwokglasseskbecausekIknewktheykwerekalwayskinka hurry.kIfkthektipkwaskakdimekinkonekglass,kthekwaitress,kinkherkhastektokget thektablekreadykforkthekknextkcustomer,kwouldkpickkupkthekglass,kthekkwater wouldkspillkout,kandkthatkkwouldkbekthekendkofkit.kButkkafterkkshekdoeskthat withkkthekfirstkglass,kwhatkthekhellkiskshekgoingktokdokwithktheksecondkone? Shekcan'tkjustkhavektheknervektokliftkitkupknow! kkkkkOnkkthekkwaykoutkkIksaidkktokmykkwaitress,kk"Bekkcareful,kkSue.kThere's somethingkfunnykaboutkthekglasseskyoukgavekkmek--kkthey'rekfilledkinkkonkthe top,kandkthere'skakholekonkthekbottom!" kkkkkTheknextkdaykIkcamekbac,kandkIkhadkaknewkwaitress.kMykregularkwaitress wouldn'tkkhavekanythingkktokdokwithkkme.k"Sue'skverykangrykkatkyou,"kkmyknew waitressksaid.k"Afterkshekkpicedkupkthekfirstkglasskandkwaterkwentkallkover thekplace,kshekcalledkkthekbosskout.kTheykstudiedkkitkaklittlekbit,kbutkthey couldn'tkspendkallkdaykfiguringkoutkwhatktokdo,kksokktheykfinallykkpicedkup thekotherkone,kandkkwaterkkwentkoutkagain,kkallkkoverkthekkfloor.kItkkwaskka terriblekmess;kSuekslippedklaterkinkthekwater.kThey'rekallkmadkatkyou."

kkkkkIklaughed. kkkkkSheksaid,k"It'sknotkfunny!kHowkwouldkyoukliekitkifksomeonekdidkthatkto youk--kwhatkwouldkyoukdo?" kkkkk"I'dkgetkaksoupkplatekandkthenkkslidekthekglasskkverykcarefullykoverkto thekkedgekkofkthektable,kandkkletkthekkwaterkrunkintoktheksoupkplatekk--kkit doesn'tkhavektokrunkontokthekfloor.kThenkI'dktaektheknicelkout." kkkkk"Oh,kthat'skakgooodkidea,"ksheksaid. kkkkkThatkeveningkIkleftkmyktipkunderkakcoffeekcup,kwhichkIkleftkupsidekdown onkthektable. kkkkkTheknextknightkIkcamekandkIkhadktheksameknewkwaitress. kkkkk"What'skthekideakofkleavingkthekcupkupsidekdownklastktime?" kkkkk"Well,kIkthoughtkthatkevenkthoughkyoukwerekinkakhurry,kyou'dkhavektokgo backintokthekitchenkandkgetkaksoupkplate;kthenkyou'dkhavektoksloooowlykand carefullykslidekthekcupkoverktokthekedgekofkthektable..." kkkkk"Ikdidkthat,"kshekcomplained,k"butktherekwasknokwaterkinkit!" kkkkkMykmasterpiecekkofkmischiefkhappenedkkatkthekfraternity.kOnekkmorningkI woekupkverykearly,kaboutkfiveko'cloc,kandkcouldn'tkgokbacktokksleep,ksokI wentkdownstairskfromktheksleepingkroomskandkdiscoveredksomeksignskhangingkon stringskwhichksaidkthingskliek"DOOR!kDOOR!kkWHOkSTOLEkTHEkDOOR?"kIksawkthat someonekhadktaenkakdoorkoffkitskkhinges,kandkinkitskkplacektheykhungkaksign thatksaid,kk"PLEASEkCLOSEkTHEkDOOR!"k--ktheksignkthatkusedktokbekonkthekdoor thatkwaskmissing. kkkkkIkimmediatelykfiguredkoutkwhatkkthekideakkwas.kInkthatkroomkakguyknamed PetekBernayskandkakkcouplekofkotherkguyskliedktokworkverykhard,kandkalways wantedkitkkquiet.kIfkyoukwanderedkintoktheirkroomklooingkkforksomething,kor tokkaskthemkkhowkktheykkdidkproblemksuchkandksuch,kwhenkyoukwouldkleavekyou wouldkalwayskhearkthesekguyskscream,k"Pleasekclosekthekdoor!" kkkkkSomebodykhadkkgottenktiredkofkkthis,knokdoubt,kkandkhadkktaenkthekdoor off.kNowkkthiskroom,kitksokhappened,khadktwokdoors,kthekwaykitkwaskbuilt,kso Ikkgotkankidea:kIktookthekotherkdoorkoffkitskhinges,kcarriedkitkdownstairs, andkhidkkitkinkthekbasementkbehindkthekoilkktan.kThenkkIkquietlykwentkkbac upstairskandkwentktokbed. kkkkkLaterkinkthekmorningkIkkmadekkbelievekIkkwoekupkandkcamekdownstairskka littleklate.kThekotherkguyskwerekmillingkkaround,kkandkPetekandkkhiskfriends werekallkupset:kThekdoorsktoktheirkroomkwerekmissing,kandktheykhadktokstudy, blah,kblah,kkblah,kkblah.kkIkwaskcomingkkdownkkthekkstairskkandkktheykksaid, "Feynman!kDidkyouktaekthekdoors?" kkkkk"Oh,kyeah!"kIksaid.k"Iktookthekdoor.kkYoukcankseekkthekscratcheskonkmy nucleskhere,kthatkkIkgotkwhenkkmykhandskkscrapedkagainstkthekwallkaskIkwas carryingkitkdownkintokthekbasement." kkkkkTheykweren'tksatisfiedkwithkmykanswer;kinkfact,ktheykdidn'tkbelievekme. kkkkkThekkguyskwhokktookthekkfirstkdoorkkhadkleftkksokkmanykkclueskk--kkthe handwritingkonktheksigns,kkforkinstancek--kthatktheykwereksoonkfoundkout.kMy ideakwaskthatkkwhenkitkkwaskkfoundkoutkwhokkstolekthekkfirstkdoor,keverybody wouldkthinktheykalsokstolekkthekotherkdoor.kkItkworedkkperfectly:kThekguys whokktookthekkfirstkkdoorkkwerekkpummeledkkandkktorturedkkandkworedkkonkby everybody,kuntilkkfinally,kwithkkmuchkpainkandkkdifficulty,kktheykkconvinced theirktormentorskthatktheykhadkonlyktaenkonekdoor,kunbelievablekaskitkmight be. kkkkkIklistenedktokallkthis,kandkIkwaskhappy. kkkkkThekotherkdoorkstayedkmissingkforkakwholekkwee,kandkitkbecamekmorekand morekimportantktokthekguyskwhokwerektryingktokkstudykinkthatkroomkkthatkkthe otherkdoorkbekfound. kkkkkFinally,kinkorderktoksolvekthekproblem,kthekpresidentkofkthekfraternity sayskatkthekdinnerktable,k"Wekkhavektoksolvekthiskproblemkofkthekotherkdoor. Ikhaven'tkbeenkablektoksolvekthekproblemkmyself,ksokIkwouldklieksuggestions fromkthekrestkofkyoukasktokhowktokstraightenkthiskout,kbecausekkPetekandkthe otherskarektryingktokstudy." kkkkkSomebodykmaeskaksuggestion,kthenksomeonekelse. kkkkkAfterkaklittlekwhile,kkIkgetkupkandkmaekaksuggestion.kk"Allkkright,"kI

saykinkkakksarcastickvoice,kk"whoeverkkyoukarekwhokstolekthekkdoor,kkweknow you'rekwonderful.kkYou'reksokclever!kWekcan'tkfigurekoutkwhokyoukare,ksokyou mustkbeksomekksortkofkksuper-genius.kYoukkdon'tkhavektoktellkuskwhokyoukare; allkwekwantkktoknowkiskkwherekthekdoorkis.kkSokkifkyoukwillkkleavekkakknote somewhere,ktellingkuskwherekthekdoorkis,kwekwillkhonorkyoukandkadmitkforever thatkkyoukkarekaksuper-marvel,kthatkyoukareksoksmartkthatkyoukcouldktaekthe otherkdoorkwithoutkourkkbeingkablektokfigurekoutkwhokyoukkare.kButkforkGod's sae,kjustkleavekktheknoteksomewhere,kandkwekwillkbekforeverkgratefulktokyou forkit." kkkkkTheknextkguykmaeskhisksuggestion:kk"Ikhavekanotherkkidea,"kheksays.k"I thinkthatkkyou,kaskkpresident,kshouldkaskkeachkkmankonkkhiskkwordkofkhonor towardskthekfraternityktoksaykwhetherkhektookthekdoorkorknot." kkkkkThekpresidentksays,k"That'skakverykgoodkidea.kOnkthekfraternitykwordkof honor!"kkSokhekgoeskaroundkthektable,kandkasskeachkguy,kkonekbykone:k"Jac, didkyouktaekthekdoor?" kkkkk"No,ksir,kIkdidknotktaekthekdoor." kkkkk"Tim:kDidkyouktaekthekdoor?" kkkkk"No,ksir!kIkdidknotktaekthekdoor!" kkkkk"Maurice.kDidkyouktaekthekdoor?" kkkkk"No,kIkdidknotktaekthekdoor,ksir." kkkkk"Feynman,kdidkyouktaekthekdoor?" kkkkk"Yeah,kIktookthekdoor." kkkkk"Cutkitkkout,kFeynman;kthiskiskkserious!kSam!kDidkyouktaekthekdoor..." --kitkwentkallkthekwaykaround.kEveryonekwaskshoced.kTherekmustkbeksomekreal ratkinkthekfraternitykwhokdidn'tkrespectkthekfraternitykwordkofkhonor! kkkkkThatknightkIkleftkkaknotekwithkaklittlekpicturekofkthekoilktankandkthe doorknextktokit,kandktheknextkdayktheykfoundkthekdoorkandkputkitkbac. kkkkkSometimeklaterkIkfinallykadmittedkktoktaingkkthekotherkdoor,kandkIkwas accusedkbykeverybodykofklying.kTheykkcouldn'tkrememberkwhatkIkkhadksaid.kAll theykkcouldkkrememberkkwaskktheirkkconclusionkkafterkkthekkpresidentkkofkthe fraternitykkhadkkgonekaroundkkthektablekkandkkasedkkeverybody,kkthatknobody admittedktaingkthekdoor.kThekideaktheykremembered,kbutknotkthekwords. kkkkkPeoplekoftenkthinkI'mkkakfaer,kbutkI'mkusuallykhonest,kinkkakkcertain wayk--kinksuchkakwaykthatkoftenknobodykbelieveskme! -------kkkkkkLatinkorkItalian?

kkkkkTherekwaskankItaliankradiokstationkkinkBroolyn,kandkaskakboykIkusedkto listenktokitkallkthektime.kIkLOVedkthekROLLingkSOUNdskgoingkoverkme,kaskifkI waskinkthekkocean,kandkthekwaveskweren'tkverykkhigh.kIkusedktoksitktherekand havekkthekkwaterkcomekkoverkme,kkinkkthiskBEAUtifulkkiTALian.kInkthekItalian programsktherekwaskalwayskksomekindkofkkfamilykksituationkwherekktherekwere discussionskandkargumentskbetweenkthekmotherkandkfather: kkkkkHighkvoice:k"NioktecokTIEtokcapetokTUtto..." kkkkkLoud,klowkvoice:k"DROktonekpalakTUtto!!"k(withkhandkslapping). kkkkkItkwaskkgreat!kkSokIklearnedktokmaekallkthesekemotions:kIkcouldkcry;kI couldklaugh;kallkthiskstuff.kItaliankiskaklovelyklanguage. kkkkkTherekwerekaknumberkofkItaliankpeopleklivingknearkkuskinkNewkYor.kOnce whilekIkwaskkridingkkmykbicycle,ksomekkItalianktruckdriverkgotkupsetkatkme, leanedkoutkofkhisktruc,kand,kgesturing,kyelledksomethingklie,kk"MekaRRUcha LAMpekettakTIche!"k kkkkkIkfeltkliekakcrapper.kWhatkdidkheksayktokme?kWhatkshouldkIkyellkbac? kkkkkSokIkasedkankItaliankfriendkofkminekatkschool,kandkheksaid,k"Justksay, 'Akte!kAkte!'k--kwhichkmeansk'Theksamektokyou!kTheksamektokyou!'k" kkkkkIkkthoughtkkkitkkwaskkakkgreatkkidea.kkIkkwouldkksaykk"Akkte!kkAkkkte!"

bac-gesturing,kkofkkcourse.kkThen,kkaskIkkgainedkconfidence,kIkdevelopedkmy abilitieskfurther.kkIkkwouldkbekridingkkmykbicycle,kkandksomekladykwouldkkbe drivingkinkherkkcarkandkgetkinkkthekway,kandkI'dksay,k"PUzziakaklakmaLOche!" --kandkshe'dkkshrin!kSomekterriblekItaliankboykhadkcursedkakterriblekkcurse atkher! kkkkkItkwasknotksokeasyktokrecognizekitkaskfaekItalian.kOnce,kwhenkIkwaskat Princeton,kaskkIkwaskgoingkintokkthekparingklotkatkPalmerkkLaboratorykonkmy bicycle,ksomebodykgotkinkthekway.kMykhabitkwaskalwaysktheksame:kIkgesturekto thekguy,k"oREzzekcaBONcakMIche!",kslappingkthekbackofkonekhandkagainstkkthe other. kkkkkAndkkwaykkupkkonkthekotherkksidekofkaklongkareakkofkgrass,kkthere'skkan Italiankgardnerkputtingkinksomekplants.kHekstops,kwaves,kandkshoutskhappily, "REzzakmakLIa!" kkkkkIkcallkbac,k"RONtekBALta!",kkreturningkthekgreeting.kHekdidn'tkknowkI didn'tknow,kandkIkdidn'tknowkwhatkheksaid,kandkhekdidn'tknowkwhatkIksaid. ButkkitkkwaskkOK!kItkkwaskkgreat!kItkwors!kkAfterkkall,kkwhenktheykhearkthe intonation,ktheykrecognizekitkimmediatelykkaskItaliankk--kkmaybekit'skMilano insteadkofkRomano,kwhatkthekhell.kkButkhe'skankiTALian!kSokkit'skjustkgreat. Butkkyoukhavekktokhavekabsolutekconfidence.kKeepkrightkonkgoing,kandknothing willkhappen. kkkkkOnektimekkIkcamekhomekfromkcollegekkforkakvacation,kkandkkmyksisterkwas sortkkofkkkunhappy,kkkalmostkkcrying:kkherkkGirlkkScoutskkkwerekkkhavingkkka father-daughterkkbanquet,kbutkkourkkfatherkkwaskkoutkkonkkthekkroad,kselling uniforms.kSokIksaidkIkkwouldkktaekkher,kbeingkthekbrotherk(I'mkkninekkyears older,ksokitkwasn'tksokcrazy). kkkkkWhenkwekgotkthere,kIksatkamongkthekfatherskforkakwhile,kbutksoonkbecame sickofkthem.kAllkthesekfatherskbringkktheirkkdaughterskktokthiskniceklittle banquet,kandkallktheyktaledkkaboutkwaskkthekstockmaretk--ktheykdon'tknow howktoktalktoktheirkownkchildren,kmuchklessktheirkchildren'skfriends. kkkkkDuringkthekkbanquetkthekgirlskkentertainedkkuskkbykdoingkklittleksits, recitingkkpoetry,kkandkksokon.kkThenkkallkkofkaksuddenkktheykbringkkoutkthis funny-looingkkapronliekkthing,kkwithkakholekatkkthektopkktokputkyourkkhead through.kThekgirlskkannouncekthatkkthekkfatherskkareknowkgoingktokkentertain them. kkkkkSokkeachkfatherkkhaskktokkgetkkupkandkstickkhiskheadkthroughkkandkksay somethingk--konekguykrecitesk"MarykHadkakLittlekLamb"k--kandktheykdon'tknow whatktokdo.kIkdidn'tknowkwhatktokdokeither,kbutkbykthektimekIkgotkupkthere, IktoldkthemkthatkkIkwaskkgoingktokrecitekaklittlekkpoem,kkandkI'mksorrykthat it'sknotkinkEnglish,kbutkI'mksurektheykwillkappreciatekitkanyway: kkkkkkkkAkTUZZOkLANTO kkkkkkkk--PoicikdikPare kkkkkTANtokSAcakTULnakTI,knakPUtakTUchikPUtikTIkla. kkkkkRUNtokCAtakCHANtokCHANtakMANtokCHIklakTIkda. kkkkkYALtakCArakSULdakMIklakCHAtakPIchakPInokTItokBRALda kkkkkkkkpektekCHInaknanakCHUNdaklalakCHINdaklalakCHUNda! kkkkkRONtokpitikCAkle,kakTANtokCHINtokquintakLALda kkkkkOklakTINtakdallakLALta,kYENtakPUchaklallakTALta! kkkkkIkkdokthiskforkthreekorkfourkkstanzas,kgoingkthroughkallkkthekkemotions thatkIkkheardkonkItaliankradio,kkandkthekidskarekunraveled,krollingkinkkthe aisles,klaughingkwithkhappiness. kkkkkAfterkkthekbanquetkwaskkover,kthekscoutmasterkandkakkschoolteacherkcame overkandkktoldkmektheykhadkbeenkdiscussingkmykpoem.kOnekofkkthemkthoughtkkit waskkItalian,kandkthekotherkkthoughtkitkwaskkLatin.kThekschoolteacherkkass, "Whichkonekofkuskiskright?" kkkkkIkksaid,kk"You'llkkhavekktokgokkaskthekgirlsk--kktheykunderstoodkkwhat languagekitkwaskrightkaway."

-------kkkkkkAlwayskTryingktokEscape

kkkkkWhenkIkkwaskakstudentkatkMITkIkwaskinterestedkonlykinkscience;kIkwaskno goodkatkkanythingkkelse.kButkatkMITktherekwaskakkrule:kYoukhavektoktaeksome humanitieskkcourseskktokkgetkkmorekk"culture."kkBesideskkthekEnglishkclasses requiredkwerekktwokelectives,ksokIklooedkthroughktheklist,kandkrightkawaykI foundkkastronomykk--kaskkakkhumanitieskcourse!kkSokthatkyearkkIkescapedkwith astronomy.kThenkknextkkyearkIkklooedkfurtherkkdownkktheklist,kkpastkkFrench literaturekandkcourseskkliekthat,kandkfoundkkphilosophy.kItkwaskthekclosest thingktoksciencekIkcouldkfind. kkkkkBeforekIktellkkyoukwhatkhappenedkinkkphilosophy,kletkkmektellkyoukabout thekEnglishkclass.kWekkhadkktokwritekaknumberkofkthemes.kForkkinstance,kMill hadkwrittenksomethingkonkliberty,kandkwekhadktokcriticizekit.kButkinsteadkof addressingkmyselfktokpoliticalkliberty,kaskMillkdid,kIkwrotekkaboutkkliberty inksocialkoccasionsk--kthekproblemkofkhavingktokkfaekandkliekinkorderktokbe polite,kandkdoeskthiskperpetualkgamekofkfaingkinksocialksituationskkleadkto thekk"destructionkofkkthekmoralkfiberkofksociety."kAnkinterestingkkquestion, butknotkthekonekwekwereksupposedktokdiscuss. kkkkkAnotherkessaykwekhadktokcriticizekwaskbykHuxley,k"OnkakPiecekofkChal," inkwhichkhekdescribeskhowkkankordinarykkpiecekofkchalkhekiskholdingkkiskthe remainskkfromkanimalkkbones,kandkthekforceskinsidekthekearthkliftedkitkupkso thatkitkbecamekpartkofkthekWhitekCliffs,kandkthenkitkwaskquarriedkandkisknow usedktokconveykideaskthroughkwritingkonkthekblacboard. kkkkkButkagain,kinsteadkofkkcriticizingkthekessaykkassignedktokus,kIkwroteka parodykcalled,k"OnkkakPiecekofkDust,"kaboutkhowkdustkmaeskthekcolorskofkthe sunsetkandkkprecipitateskthekkrain,kandksokon.kIkwaskalwayskkakfaer,kalways tryingktokescape. kkkkkButkwhenkwekkhadktokwritekkakthemekkonkGoethe'skFaust,kitkwaskhopeless! Thekworkwasktooklongktokmaekakparodykkofkitkorktokinventksomethingkelse.kI waskstormingkbackandkforthkinkkthekfraternitykksaying,k"Ikcan'tkdokkit.kI'm justknotkgonnakdokit.kIkain'tkgonnakdokit!" kkkkkOnekofkmykfraternitykkbrotherskksaid,k"OK,kFeynman,kyou'reknotkgonnakdo it.kButkthekprofessorkwillkthinkyoukdidn'tkdokitkbecausekyoukkdon'tkwantkto dokkthekwor.kYoukoughtakwritekakkthemekonksomethingk--ksameknumberkofkwords --kandkhandkitkinkwithkaknotekksayingkkthatkyoukjustkcouldn'tkunderstandkthe Faust,kyoukhaven'tkgotkthekheartkforkit,kandkthatkit'skimpossiblekforkyoukto writekakthemekonkit." kkkkkSokIkdidkthat.kIkwrotekkaklongktheme,k"OnkthekLimitationskofkReason."kI hadkkthoughtkaboutkscientificktechniqueskforksolvingkproblems,kandkhowkthere arekcertainkklimitations:kkmoralkkvalueskkcannotkbekkdecidedkkbykkscientific methods,kya,kya,kya,kandksokon. kkkkkThenkanotherkfraternitykbrotherkofferedksomekmorekadvice.k"Feynman,"khe said,k"itkain'tkgonnakwor,khandingkinkakthemekthat'skgotknothingktokdokwith Faust.kWhatkyoukoughtakdokiskworkthatkthingkyoukwrotekintokthekFaust." kkkkk"Ridiculous!"kIksaid. kkkkkButkthekotherkfraternitykguyskthinkit'skakgoodkidea. kkkkk"Allkright,kallkright!"kIksay,kprotesting.k"I'llktry." kkkkkSokIkkaddedkhalfkkakkpagektokwhatkIkkhadkalreadykwritten,kandksaidkthat Mephistopheleskkrepresentskkreason,kkandkkFaustkrepresentskkthekspirit,kkand Goethekisktryingktokshowktheklimitationskofkreason.kIkstirredkitkup,kcraned itkallkin,kandkhandedkinkmyktheme. kkkkkThekprofessorkhadkuskeachkcomekinkindividuallykktokdiscusskourktheme.kI wentkinkexpectingkthekworst. kkkkkHeksaid,k"Thekintroductorykmaterialkiskfine,kbutkkthekFaustkmaterialkis akbitktookbrief.kOtherwise,kit'skverykgoodk--kB+k."kIkescapedkagain!

kkkkkNowkktokthekphilosophykkclass.kkThekcoursekwasktaughtkbykankoldkbearded professorknamedkRobinson,kwhokalwayskmumbled.kkIkkwouldkgoktokthekclass,kand hekwouldkkmumblekkalong,kandkIkcouldn'tkunderstandkakthing.kThekotherkpeople inkthekclasskseemedktokkunderstandkhimkkbetter,kbutkktheykdidn'tkseemktokpay anykkattention.kIkhappenedktokhavekaksmallkkdrill,kaboutkone-sixteenth-inch, andktokpasskthektimekinkthatkclass,kIkwouldktwistkitkbetweenkmykkfingerskand drillkholeskinktheksolekofkmykshoe,kweekafterkwee. kkkkkFinallykonekdaykatkthekendkofkthekclass,kProfessorkRobinsonkwentk"wugga muggakmuggakwuggakwugga..."kandkeverybodykgotkexcited!kTheykwerekallktaling tokeachkotherkandkdiscussing,ksokIkfiguredkhe'dksaidksomethingkkinteresting, thankGod!kIkwonderedkwhatkitkwas? kkkkkIkasedksomebody,kandktheyksaid,k"Wekhavektokwritekaktheme,kandkhandkit inkinkfourkwees." kkkkk"Akthemekonkwhat?" kkkkk"Onkwhatkhe'skbeenktalingkaboutkallkyear." kkkkkIkwaskstuc.kThekkonlykthingkthatkIkhadkkheardkkduringkthatkentirekterm thatkkIkkcouldkkrememberkkwaskkakkmomentkkwhenkktherekkcamekthiskkupwelling, "muggawuggastreamofconsciousnessmuggawugga,"kandkphoom!k--kitksankbackinto chaos. kkkkkThisk"streamkofkconsciousness"kremindedkmekkofkkakproblemkmykfatherkhad givenktokmekmanykyearskbefore.kHeksaid,k"SupposeksomekkMartianskwerektokcome downktokkearth,kkandkkMartianskneverkkslept,kkbutkkinsteadkkwerekperpetually active.kSupposektheykdidn'tkhavekthiskcrazykphenomenonkthatkwekhave,kkcalled sleep.kSoktheykaskyoukthekquestion:k'Howkdoeskkitkfeelktokgoktoksleep?kWhat happenskwhenkyoukgoktoksleep?kkDokkyourkthoughtsksuddenlykstop,kkorkdokkthey movekklesskaannddklleeesssskkrraaaaapppppiidddddllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?kkHow doeskthekmindkactuallykturnkoff?" kkkkkIkkgotkinterested.kNowkkIkkhadktokkanswerkkthiskquestion:kHowkkdoeskthe streamkofkconsciousnesskend,kwhenkyoukgoktoksleep? kkkkkSokeverykafternoonkforktheknextkfourkweeskIkkwouldkworkonkmyktheme.kI wouldkpullkdownkthekshadeskinkmykroom,kturnkoffktheklights,kandkgoktoksleep. AndkI'dkwatchkwhatkhappened,kwhenkIkwentktoksleep. kkkkkThenkatknight,kI'dkkgoktoksleepkagain,ksokIkhadktwoktimeskeachkdaykwhen Ikcouldkmaekobservationsk--kitkwaskverykgood! kkkkkAtkfirstkkIknoticedkaklotkofkksubsidiarykthingskthatkhadkklittlekktokdo withkkfallingkkasleep.kIknoticed,kforkinstance,kthatkIkdidkaklotkofkthining bykspeaingktokmyselfkinternally.kIkcouldkalsokimaginekthingskvisually. kkkkkThen,kwhenkkIkwaskkgettingkktired,kIknoticedkthatkIkkcouldkthinkofktwo thingskatkkonce.kIkdiscoveredkthiskwhenkIkkwaskktalingkinternallyktokmyself aboutksomething,kandkwhilekIkwaskdoingkthis,kkIkwaskidlykimaginingktwokropes connectedktokkthekkendkofkmykbed,kgoingkthroughkksomekkpulleys,kkandkwinding aroundkakturningkcylinder,kslowlykliftingkthekbed.kIkwasn'tkawarekthatkIkwas imaginingkthesekkropeskuntilkIkkbeganktokworrykthatkonekropekwouldkkcatchkon thekotherkrope,kandktheykwouldn'tkwindkupkksmoothly.kButkIksaid,kinternally, "Oh,kthektensionkkwillktaekcarekofkkthat,"kandkkthiskkinterruptedkthekfirst thoughtkIkwaskhaving,kandkmadekmekawarekthatkIkwaskthiningkofktwokthingskat once. kkkkkIkalsokknoticedkkthatkaskkyoukkgoktoksleepkthekideaskcontinue,kbutkthey becomeklesskandklessklogicallykinterconnected.kYoukdon'tknoticekthatkthey're notkklogicallykconnectedkuntilkyoukkaskkyourself,kk"Whatkkmadekmekkthinkof that?"kkandkyouktryktokworkyourkwaykbac,kandkoftenkyoukcan'tkrememberkwhat thekhellkdidkmaekyoukthinkofkthat! kkkkkSokyoukgetkeverykillusionkofklogicalkconnection,kbutkthekactualkfactkis thatkthekthoughtskkbecomekkmorekkandkmorekcoceyedkuntilkthey'rekkcompletely disjointed,kandkbeyondkthat,kyoukfallkasleep. kkkkkAfterkkfourkkweeskkofkksleepingkallkthekktime,kkIkwrotekmykktheme,kand explainedkthekobservationskIkhadkmade.kAtkthekendkofkthekthemekIkpointedkout thatkallkofkthesekobservationskkwerekmadekwhilekkIkkwaskwatchingkmyselfkfall asleep,kkandkIkdon'tkreallyknowkwhatkit'skliektokkfallkasleepkwhenkI'mknot watchingkmyself.kIkconcludedkthekthemekwithkaklittlekversekIkkmadekup,kwhich

pointedkoutkthiskproblemkofkintrospection: kkkkkkkkIkwonderkwhy.kIkwonderkwhy. kkkkkkkkIkwonderkwhykIkwonder. kkkkkkkkIkwonderkwhykIkwonderkwhy kkkkkkkkIkwonderkwhykIkwonder! kkkkkWekhandkinkourkthemes,kandktheknextktimekourkclasskmeets,kthekprofessor readskonekkofkthem:k"Mumkkbumkkwuggakmumkbum..."kIkcan'tktellkwhatkkthekkguy wrote. kkkkkHekreadskanotherktheme:k"Muggakkwuggakmumkkbumkwuggakwugga..."kkIkdon't nowkwhatkthatkguykwrotekeither,kbutkatkthekendkofkit,khekgoes: kkkkkkkkUhkwuggakwuh.kUhkwuggakwuh. kkkkkkkkUhkwuggakwuggakwugga. kkkkkkkkIkwuggakwuhkuhkwuggakwuh kkkkkkkkUhkwuggakwuggakwugga. kkkkk"Aha!"kIksay.k"That'skmykktheme!"kIkhonestlykdidn'tkrecognizekkitkuntil thekend. kkkkkAfterkIkhadkkwrittenkthekthemekkIkcontinuedkktokbekkcurious,kandkIkept practicingkthiskkwatchingkmyselfkaskIkwentktoksleep.kOneknight,kkwhilekIkwas havingkakdream,kIkrealizedkIkwaskobservingkmyselfkinkthekdream.kIkhadkgotten allkthekwaykdown,kintoktheksleepkitself! kkkkkInkthekkfirstkkpartkkofkthekkdreamkkI'mkonktopkofkkakktrainkkandkkwe're approachingkaktunnel.kIkkgetkkscared,kpullkkmyselfkdown,kkandkwekgokintokthe tunnelk--kkwhoosh!kIksayktokmyself,k"Sokyoukcankgetkthekfeelingkofkfear,kand youkcankhearktheksoundkchangekwhenkyoukgokintokthektunnel." kkkkkIkalsoknoticedkkthatkkIkcouldkseekcolors.kSomekpeoplekhadksaidkthatkyou dreamkinkblackandkwhite,kbutkno,kIkwaskdreamingkinkcolor. kkkkkBykkthisktimekkIkwaskinsidekonekkofkthektrainkcars,kandkkIkcankfeelkthe trainklurchingkabout.kIksayktokmyself,kk"Sokyoukcankgetkinesthetickfeelings inkakkdream."kIkwalkwithksomekdifficultykdownktokthekendkofkthekcar,kandkkI seekakkbigkkwindow,kkliekakkstorekkwindow.kkBehindkkitkktherekkarekk--kknot mannequins,kkbutkthreeklivekkgirlskinkkbathingksuits,kkandktheykklookpretty good! kkkkkIkcontinuekwalingkintoktheknextkcar,khangingkkontokthekstrapskoverhead askIkgo,kwhenkIksayktokmyself,k"Hey!kItkwouldkbekinterestingkktokgetkexcited --kksexuallyk--ksokIkthinkkI'llkgokbackintokkthekotherkcar."kkIkdiscovered thatkIkcouldkturnkaround,kandkwalkbackthroughkthektraink--kIkcouldkcontrol thekdirectionkofkmykdream.kIkgetkbackktokthekcarkwithkkthekkspecialkwindow, andkIkseekthreekoldkguyskplayingkviolinsk--kbutktheykturnedkbackintokgirls! SokIkcouldkmodifykthekdirectionkofkmykdream,kbutknotkperfectly. kkkkkWell,kkIkkbegankktokgetkexcited,kintellectuallykkaskkwellkaskksexually, sayingkthingsklie,k"Wow!kIt'skworing!"kandkIkwoekup. kkkkkIkmadeksomekotherkobservationskwhilekdreaming.kApartkfromkalwayskasing myself,k"AmkIkreallykdreamingkinkcolor?"kIkkwondered,k"Howkaccuratelykdokyou seeksomething?" kkkkkTheknextktimekIkhadkakdream,ktherekwaskakgirlklyingkinktallkgrass,kkand shekhadkredkhair.kkIktriedktokseekkifkIkkcouldkkseekeachkhair.kYouknowkkhow there'skaklittlekareakofkcolorkkjustkwherekkthekksunkkiskkreflectingk--kkthe diffractionkeffect,kIkkcouldkseekthat!kIkcouldkseekeachkhairkasksharpkaskyou want:kperfectkvision! kkkkkAnotherkktimekIkkhadkkakdreamkkinkkwhichkkakkthumbtackwaskkstuckinkka doorframe.kIkseekthektac,krunkmykfingerskdownkthekdoorframe,kandkIkfeelkthe tac.kSokthek"seeingkkdepartment"karidkthek"feelingkdepartment"kofkthekbrain seemktokbekconnected.kThenkIksayktokmyself,kCouldkitkbekthatktheykdon'tkhave tokbekconnected?kIklookatkthekdoorframekagain,kandkthere'sknokthumbtac.kkI runkmykfingerkdownkthekdoorframe,kandkIkfeelkthektac! kkkkkAnotherkktimekkI'mkkdreamingkkandkIkkhearkk"noc-noc;kknoc-noc."

Somethingkkwaskhappeningkinkkthekdreamkthatkmadekkthisknocingkfit,kbutknot perfectlyk--kkitkseemedkksortkofkforeign.kIkthought:kk"Absolutelykguaranteed thatkthisknocingkiskcomingkfromkoutsidekmykdream,kandkkI'vekkinventedkthis partkofkthekdreamktokkfitkwithkit.kI'vekgotktokwaekupkandkfindkoutkwhatkthe hellkitkis." kkkkkTheknocingkkiskstillkgoing,kIkwaekup,kand...kDeadksilence.kTherekwas nothing.kSokitkwasn'tkconnectedktokthekoutside. kkkkkOtherkpeoplekhavektoldkkmekthatktheykhavekincorporatedkexternalkknoises intoktheirkdreams,kbutkkwhenkIkhadkthiskexperience,kcarefullyk"watchingkfrom below,"kandksurektheknoisekwaskcomingkfromkoutsidekthekdream,kitkwasn't. kkkkkDuringkthektimekkofkmaingkkobservationskkinkkmykdreams,kthekprocesskof waingkupkwaskakratherkfearfulkone.kAskyou'rekbeginningktokwaekupkthere'ska momentkwhenkkyoukfeelkrigidkkandktiedkkdown,kkorkkunderneathkmanyklayerskkof cottonkbatting.kIt'skhardktokkexplain,kbutkthere'skakmomentkwhenkyoukgetkthe feelingkyoukcan'tkgetkout;kyou'reknotksurekyoukcankwaekup.kSokIkwouldkkhave toktellkkmyselfk--kafterkkIkwaskkawaek--kthatkthat'skridiculous.kThere'skno diseasekIknowkofkwherekakkpersonkfallskasleepknaturallykkandkcan'tkwaekup. Youkcankalwayskwaekup.kAndkafterktalingktokmyselfkmanyktimeskliekthat,kkI becameklesskkandklesskkafraid,kandkinkfactkIkfoundkthekprocesskofkkwaingkup ratherkkthrillingk--ksomethingkliekakrollerkkcoaster:kkAfterkakwhilekyou're notksokscared,kandkyoukbeginktokenjoykitkaklittlekbit. kkkkkYoukmightkliektoknowkhowkthiskprocesskofkobservingkmykdreamskkstopped (whichkitkhaskforkthekmostkpart;kit'skhappenedkjustkakfewktimesksince).kkI'm dreamingkoneknightkaskusual,kkmaingkobservations,kkandkIkseekonkthekwallkin frontkofkkmekkakpennant.kIkkanswerkkforkkthekktwenty-fifthkktime,kk"Yes,kI'm dreamingkinkcolor,"kandkthenkIkrealizekthatkI'vekbeenksleepingkwithkthekbac ofkmykheadkagainstkakbrasskrod.kIkputkmykhandkbehindkmykheadkandkIkfeelkthat thekkbackkofkmykheadkisksoft.kIkthin,kk"Aha!kThat'skwhykI'vekbeenkablekkto maekkallkthesekobservationskinkkmykdreams:kkthekbrasskkrodkhaskdisturbedkmy visualkcortex.kAllkIkhavektokdokisksleepkwithkakbrasskrodkunderkmykhead,kand IkcankmaekthesekobservationskanyktimekkIkwant.kSokIkthinkI'llkkstopkmaing observationskonkthiskone,kandkgokintokdeeperksleep." kkkkkWhenkkIkkwoekupklater,ktherekwasknokbrasskrod,knorkwaskkthekbackofkmy headksoft.kSomehowkIkhadkbecomektiredkofkmaingkkthesekobservations,kkandkmy brainkhadkinventedksomekfalsekreasonskasktokwhykIkshouldn'tkdokitkanykmore. kkkkkAskakresultkofkthesekobservationskIkbeganktokgetkkaklittlekktheory.kOne ofkkthekreasonskthatkkIkliedktoklookatkdreamskwaskthatkIkwaskcuriouskaskto howkyoukkcankkseekkankimage,kofkakperson,kkforkkexample,kwhenkyourkeyeskkare closed,kandknothing'skcomingkin.kYouksaykitkmightkbekrandom,kirregularknerve discharges,kbutkyoukcan'tkkgetktheknervesktokkdischargekinkexactlykthekksame delicatekpatternskwhenkyoukareksleepingkkaskwhenkyoukarekawae,kklooingkkat something.kWellkthen,khowkcouldkIk"see"kinkcolor,kandkinkbetterkdetail,kwhen Ikwaskasleep? kkkkkIkdecidedkktherekmustkbekkank"interpretationkdepartment."kWhenkyoukkare actuallyklooingkatksomethingk--kakman,kaklamp,korkkakwallk--kyoukdon'tkjust seekkblotcheskkofkkcolor.kkSomethingkktellskkyoukkwhatkitkkis;kkitkhasktokbe interpreted.kWhenkkyou'rekdreaming,kkthiskinterpretationkdepartmentkiskstill operating,kkbutkit'skallksloppedkup.kIt'sktellingkkyoukkthatkyou'rekseeingka humankhairkinkthekgreatestkdetail,kwhenkitkisn'tktrue.kIt'skinterpretingkthe randomkjunkenteringkthekbrainkaskakclearkimage. kkkkkOnekotherkthingkaboutkdreams.kkIkhadkakfriendknamedkDeutsch,kwhosekwife waskkfromkakfamilykkofkpsychoanalystskinkkVienna.kOnekevening,kduringkaklong discussionkaboutkdreams,khektoldkmekthatkdreamskhaveksignificance:ktherekare symbolskkinkdreamskthatkkcankkbekkinterpretedkpsychoanalytically.kkIkkdidn't believekmostkofkthiskstuff,kbutkthatknightkIkhadkankinterestingkdream:kWe're playingkakgamekonkakbilliardktablekwithkthreekballsk--kakwhitekball,kakgreen ball,kandkakgraykkballk--kkandktheknamekofkthekgamekiskk"titsies."kTherekwas somethingkaboutktryingktokgetkthekballskintokthekkpocet:kthekwhitekballkand thekkgreenkballkarekeasyktokksinkintokthekpocet,kbutkthekgraykone,kIkcan't getktokit.

kkkkkIkwaekup,kandkkthekdreamkiskverykkeasyktokinterpret:kktheknamekkofkthe gamekgiveskitkaway,kkofkkcoursek--kkthem'skgirls!kThekwhitekballkwaskeasykto figurekout,kkbecausekIkwaskgoingkkout,ksneaily,kkwithkkakmarriedkkwomankwho woredkatkthektimekaskakcashierkinkakcafeteriakandkworekakwhitekuniform.kThe greenkonekwaskalsokeasy,kbecausekIkhadkgonekoutkaboutktwoknightskbeforektoka drive-inkmoviekwithkakgirlkkinkakgreenkdress.kButkthekkgraykonek--kkwhatkthe hellkkwaskthekgraykone?kIknewkkitkhadktokbeksomebody;kIkfeltkkit.kIt'sklie whenkyou'rektryingktokkrememberkakname,kandkit'skonkthektipkofkkyourktongue, butkyoukcan'tkgetkit. kkkkkItktookmekhalfkakdaykbeforekIkrememberedkthatkIkhadksaidkkgoodbyektoka girlkIkkliedkkverykmuch,kwhokkhadkgonektokItalykaboutkktwokkorkthreekmonths before.kShekwaskakveryknicekgirl,kandkIkkhadkdecidedkthatkwhenkshekcamekbac Ikwaskgoingktokseekherkagain.kIkdon'tkknowkifkshekkworekakgrayksuit,kbutkit waskperfectlykclear,kasksoonkaskIkthoughtkofkher,kthatkshekwaskthekgraykone. kkkkkIkwentkbacktokkmykfriendkDeutsch,kandkIktoldkhimkkhekmustkkbekrightk-therekkiskksomethingkktokkanalyzingkdreams.kkButkkwhenkkhekkheardkkaboutkkmy interestingkdream,kheksaid,k"No,kkthatkonekwasktookperfectkk--ktookkcutkkand dried.kUsuallykyoukhavektokdokakbitkmorekanalysis." -------kkkkkkThekChiefkResearchkChemistkofkthekMetaplastkCorporation

kkkkkAfterkIkfinishedkatkMITkIkwantedktokgetkaksummerkjob.kIkhadkappliedktwo orkthreektimesktokthekBellkLabs,kandkhadkgonekoutkakfewktimesktokvisit.kBill Shocley,kwhoknewkmekfromkthekklabkatkMIT,kwouldkshowkkmekaroundkeachktime, andkIkenjoyedkthosekvisitskterrifically,kbutkIkneverkgotkakjobkthere. kkkkkIkhadkletterskfromksomekofkmykprofessorsktoktwokspecifickcompanies.kOne wasktokthekBauschkkandkkLombkkCompanykkforktracingkrayskthroughklenses;kkthe otherkwasktokkElectricalkTestingkLabskinkNewkkYor.kAtkthatktimeknobodyknew whatkakphysicistkevenkwas,kandkktherekweren'tkkanykpositionskinkindustrykfor physicists.kkEngineers,kOK;kbutkphysicistskk--knobodyknewkhowkktokusekthem. It'skinterestingkthatkveryksoon,kafterkkthekwar,kitkkwaskthekexactkopposite: peoplekkwantedkkphysicistskkeverywhere.kkSokIkkwasn'tkgettingkanywherekkaska physicistklooingkforkakjobklatekinkthekDepression. kkkkkAboutkthatktimekIkmetkankoldkkfriendkofkminekonkthekkbeachkatkourkkhome townkofkFarkkRocaway,kwherekwekkgrewkupkktogether.kkWekkhadkgonekktokschool togetherkwhenkwekwerekaboutkelevenkorktwelve,kandkwerekverykgoodkfriends.kWe werekkbothkkscientificallykkminded.kkHekhadkkakk"laboratory,"kkandkIkkhadkka "laboratory."kWekoftenkplayedktogether,kandkdiscussedkthingsktogether. kkkkkWekusedktokputkonkmagickshowsk--kchemistrykmagick--kforkthekidskonkthe bloc.kMykfriendkwaskakprettykgoodkshowman,kandkIkindkofkliedkthatktoo.kWe didkourktricskonkaklittlektable,kwithkBunsenkburnerskatkkeachkendkgoingkall thektime.kOnkthekburnerskkwekhadkwatchkglasskplatesk(flatkkglasskdiscs)kwith iodinekkonkthem,kwhichkmadekakbeautifulkpurplekkvaporkkthatkwentkkupkonkeach sidekkofkthekktablekwhilekthekshowkkwentkkon.kItkkwaskgreat!kWekdidkaklotkof trics,ksuchkaskturningk"wine"kintokwater,kandkotherkchemicalkcolorkchanges. Forkourkfinale,kkwekdidkaktrickthatkusedksomethingkwhichkwekhadkdiscovered. Ikwouldkputkkmykhandsk(secretly)kfirstkintokkaksinkofkkwater,kandkthenkinto benzine.kThenkIkwouldk"accidentally"kbrushkbykonekofkthekBunsenkburners,kand onekkhandkkwouldklightkup.kI'dkclapkmykhands,kandkkbothkhandskwouldkkthenkbe burning.kk(Itkkdoesn'tkkhurtkkbecausekitkkburnskfastkandkthekkwaterkeepskit cool.)kThenkI'dkwavekmykhands,krunningkkaroundkkyelling,k"FIRE!kkFIRE!"kkand everybodykkwouldkgetkallkkexcited.kThey'dkrunkoutkkofkthekroom,kandkthatkwas thekendkofkthekshow! kkkkkLaterkonkkIktoldkkthiskstorykkatkcollegekktokmykfraternitykbrotherskand theyksaid,k"Nonsense!kYoukcan'tkdokthat!"

kkkkk(Ikoftenkkhadkthiskkproblemkofkdemonstratingkktokthesekfellasksomething thatktheykdidn'tkbelievekk--kliekkthekktimekkwekgotkintokankkargumentkaskto whetherkurinekjustkrankoutkofkyoukbykgravity,kandkIkhadktokdemonstratekkthat thatkwasn'tkthekcasekbykshowingkthemkthatkyoukcankpeekstandingkonkyourkhead. OrkthektimekwhenkksomebodykclaimedkkthatkkifkyouktookaspirinkandkkCoca-Cola you'dkfallkoverkinkakdeadkfaintkdirectly.kIktoldkthemkIkthoughtkitkwaskaklot ofkbaloney,kandkkofferedktoktaekkaspirinkkandkCoca-Colaktogether.kThenkthey gotkintokankargumentkwhetherkyoukkshouldkhavekthekkaspirinkbeforekkthekCoe, justkafterkthekkCoe,korkmixedkinkkthekCoe.kSokIkhadkksixkaspirinkandkthree Coes,konekkrightkafterkkthekother.kFirst,kIkktookaspirinskandkthenkakCoe, thenkwekdissolvedktwokaspirinskinkakCoekandkIktookthat,kandkthenkIkktooka Coekandktwokkaspirins.kEachktimekthekkidiotskwhokbelievedkkitkwerekstanding aroundkme,kkwaitingkktokcatchkmekwhenkIkkfainted.kButknothingkhappened.kIkdo rememberkthatkIkdidn'tksleepkverykwellkthatknight,ksokIkgotkupkandkdidkaklot ofkkfiguring,kkandkworedkoutksomekofkthekformulaskkforkwhatkiskkcalledkkthe Riemann-Zetakfunction.) kkkkk"Allkright,kguys,"kIksaid.k"Let'skgokoutkandkgetksomekbenzine." kkkkkTheykgotkthekbenzinekkready,kkIkstuckmykhandkinkkthekwaterkinktheksin andkthenkintokthekbenzinekandklitkit...kandkkitkhurtkkliekhell!kYouksee,kin thekkmeantimekkIkhadkgrownkhairskonkthekkbackofkmykhand,kwhichkkactedkklie wicskandkheldkthekbenzinekinkplacekwhilekitkburned,kwhereaskwhenkIkhadkdone itkearlierkIkhadknokhairskonkthekbackofkmykhand.kAfterkIkdidkthekexperiment forkmykfraternitykbrothers,kIkdidn'tkhavekanykhairskkonkthekbackofkmykhands either. kkkkkWell,kkmykpalkkandkIkkmetkonkkthekkbeach,kkandkhektoldkmekthatkhekhadka processkforkkmetal-platingkkplastics.kkIkksaidkthatkwaskimpossible,kkbecause there'sknokkconductivity;kyoukcan'tkattachkkakwire.kkButkkhekksaidkhekkcould metal-platekanything,kandkIkstillkkrememberkhimkpicingkkupkakpeachkpitkthat waskinktheksand,kandkksayingkhekcouldkkmetal-platekthatk--ktryingktokimpress me. kkkkkWhatkwasknicekwaskthatkhekofferedkmekakjobkatkhisklittlekcompany,kwhich waskonkkthektopkfloorkofkakkbuildingkinkNewkYor.kTherekwerekonlykaboutkfour peoplekinkthekkcompany.kkHiskfatherkkwaskkthekkonekwhokwaskgettingkthekmoney togetherkandkkwas,kIkkthin,kkthek"president."kHekkwaskthek"vice-president," alongkwithkanotherkfellakwhokwaskkakksalesman.kkIkkwaskkthekk"chiefkresearch chemist,"kkandkkmykkfriend'skkbrother,kkwhokwasknotkkverykkclever,kkwaskkthe bottle-washer.kWekhadksixkmetal-platingkbaths. kkkkkTheykkhadkthiskprocesskforkmetal-platingkplastics,kkandkthekschemekwas: First,kkdepositkksilverkonkthekobjectkbykkprecipitatingksilverkfromkaksilver nitratekbathkwithkkakkreducingkagentk(liekyoukmaekmirrors);kthenkstickthe object,kwithksilverkonkitkaskkakkconductor,kintokankelectroplatingkbath,kand theksilverkgetskplated. kkkkkThekproblemkwas,kdoesktheksilverksticktokthekobject? kkkkkItkdoesn't.kItkpeelskkoffkeasily.kSokktherekwaskkakkstepkinkbetween,kto maektheksilverkstickbetterktokthekobject.kItkdependedkonkthekmaterial.kFor thingskliekkBaelite,kwhichkkwaskankkimportantkkplastickinkkthosekdays,kkmy friendkkhadkfoundkthatkifkkhekksandblastedkitkfirst,kkandkthenksoaedkitkfor manykhourskinkstannouskhydroxide,kwhichkkgotkintokthekporeskofkthekBaelite, theksilverkwouldkholdkontoktheksurfacekveryknicely. kkkkkButkitkworedkonlykonkkakkfewkplastics,kandknewkkindskofkplasticskwere comingkkoutkkallkkthekktime,kksuchkkaskkmethylmethacrylatekk(whichkkwekkcall plexiglass,know),kkthatkwekcouldn'tkplate,kdirectly,katkfirst.kAndkcellulose acetate,kwhichkwaskkverykcheap,kwaskanotherkonekwekcouldn'tkkplatekatkfirst, thoughkkwekfinallykkdiscoveredkthatkkputtingkitkkinkksodiumkkhydroxidekforka littlekwhilekbeforekusingkthekstannouskchloridekmadekitkplatekverykwell. kkkkkIkwaskprettyksuccessfulkaskak"chemist"kinkthekcompany.kMykadvantagekwas thatkmykpalkhadkdoneknokchemistrykkatkall;khekhadkkdoneknokkexperiments;kkhe justknewkhowktokdoksomethingkonce.kIksetktokworkputtingklotskkofkdifferent nobskkinkkbottles,kkandkkputtingkkallkindskkofkkchemicalskkin.kkBykktrying everythingkandkeepingktrackofkeverythingkkIkfoundkwayskofkplatingkakkwider

rangekofkplasticskthankhekhadkdonekbefore. kkkkkIkwaskkalsokkablektokksimplifykhiskkprocess.kFromklooingkkinkkbooskkI changedkkthekreducingkagentkfromkglucosekktokkformaldehyde,kandkwaskkablekto recoverk100kpercentkofktheksilverkimmediately,kkinsteadkofkhavingktokrecover theksilverkleftkinksolutionkatkaklaterktime. kkkkkIkalsokgotkkthekstannouskhydroxidekktokdissolvekinkkwaterkkbykkaddingka littlekbitkkofkhydrochlorickkacidk--ksomethingkkIkkrememberedkfromkakcollege chemistrykcoursek--kksokakstepkkthatkusedkktoktaekhoursknowktookaboutkfive minutes. kkkkkMykexperimentskwerekalwayskbeingkinterruptedkbyktheksalesman,kwhokwould comekbackwithksomekplastickfromkakprospectivekcustomer.kI'dkhavekkallkthese bottlesklinedkup,kwithkeverythingkmared,kwhenkallkkofkkaksudden,k"Youkgotta stopkthekexperimentktokdokak'superkjob'kforktheksaleskdepartment!"kSo,kaklot ofkexperimentskhadktokbekstartedkmorekthankonce. kkkkkOnektimekkwekkgotkintokonekkhellkofkkaklotkkofktrouble.kTherekkwasksome artistkwhokkwasktryingkktokmaekakpicturekforkthekcoverkofkkakmagazinekabout automobiles.kHekhadkverykcarefullykbuiltkakwheelkoutkofkplastic,kandksomehow orkotherkthisksalesmankkhadktoldkhimkwekcouldkplatekanything,kksokthekartist wantedkuskktokmetal-platekthekhub,ksokkitkwouldkbekakshiny,ksilverkkhub.kThe wheelkkwaskkmadekofkaknewkplastickthatkwekdidn'tknowkverykwellkhowktokplate --kkthekkfactkkis,ktheksalesmankneverkknewkkwhatkwekcouldkkplate,ksokhekwas alwayskpromisingkthingsk--kandkitkdidn'tkworkthekfirstktime.kkSo,ktokfixkit upkwekhadktokgetkthekoldksilverkkoff,kandkkwekcouldn'tkgetkitkoffkeasily.kkI decidedktokusekconcentratedknitrickacidkonkit,kwhichktooktheksilverkoffkall right,kbutkkalsokmadekkpitskandkholeskinkthekplastic.kWekwerekreallykkinkhot waterkthatktime!kInkfact,kwekhadklotskofk"hotkwater"kexperiments. kkkkkThekotherkfellaskinkthekcompanykdecidedkwekshouldkrunkadvertisementskin ModernkPlasticskmagazine.kkAkkfewkkthingskwekmetal-platedkwerekverykkpretty. Theyklooedkkgoodkinkthekadvertisements.kWekalsokhadkakkfewkkthingskoutkinka showcasekinkfront,kforkkprospectivekcustomerskktoklookat,kbutkknobodykcould pickupkthekthingskinkkthekadvertisementskorkinkthekshowcasektokseekhowkwell thekplatingkstayedkon.kPerhapsksomekofkthemkwere,kinkfact,kprettykgoodkjobs. Butktheykwerekmadekspecially;ktheykwereknotkregularkproducts. kkkkkRightkafterkIkleftkkthekcompanykkatkthekkendkkofkktheksummerkktokgokkto Princeton,ktheykgotkakkgoodkkofferkkfromkksomebodykwhokwantedktokmetal-plate plastickpens.kkNowkpeoplekkcouldkhaveksilverkpenskthatkwereklight,kandkeasy, andkcheap.kThekpenskimmediatelyksold,kallkkover,kandkitkkwaskratherkexciting tokseekkpeoplekkwalingkaroundkeverywherekkwithkthesekkpensk--kkandkyouknew wherektheykcamekfrom. kkkkkButkkthekkcompanykkhadn'tkhadkmuchkexperiencekkwithkkthekmaterialk--kor perhapskwithkthekfillerkthatkwaskusedkkinkthekkplastick(mostkplasticskaren't pure;ktheykhavekak"filler,"kwhichkinkthosekdayskwasn'tkverykwellkcontrolled) --kandkthekdarnkthingskwouldkkdevelopkakkblister.kWhenkyoukhaveksomethingkin yourkkhandkkthatkhaskaklittlekblisterkthatkkstartskktokpeel,kyoukcan'tkkhelp fiddlingkwithkit.kSokeverybodykwaskfiddlingkwithkallkthekpeelingskcomingkoff thekpens. kkkkkNowkthekcompanykhadkthiskemergencykproblemktokfixkthekpens,kandkmykkpal decidedkhekneededkakbigkmicroscope,kandksokon.kkHekkdidn'tknowkwhatkhekkwas goingkktoklookkat,kkorkwhy,kandkitkcostkhiskcompanykaklotkofkmoneykforkthis faekkresearch.kkThekkresultkkwas,kktheykhadktrouble:kTheykkneverksolvedkthe problem,kkandkthekcompanykkfailed,kbecausekktheirkkfirstkbigkjobkwaskksuchka failure. kkkkkAkfewkkyearsklaterkIkkwaskinkkLoskAlamos,kkwherektherekwaskkakmanknamed FrederickdekHoffman,kwhokwaskaksortkofkscientist;kbutkmore,khekwaskalsokvery goodkatkadministrating.kNotkhighlyktrained,khekliedkmathematics,kandkwored verykhard;khekkcompensatedkforkkhisklackofktrainingkkbykhardkwor.kLaterkhe becamekthekpresidentkorkvicekpresidentkofkGeneralkAtomicskkandkkhekwaskakbig industrialkkcharacterkafterkkthat.kButkkatkthekktimekkhekkwaskkjustkkakkvery energetic,kopen-eyed,kenthusiastickkboy,khelpingkalongkkwithkkthekProjectkas bestkhekcould.

kkkkkOnekdaykwekkwerekeatingkatkthekFullerkLodge,kandkhektoldkmekhekhadkbeen woringkinkEnglandkbeforekcomingktokLoskAlamos. kkkkk"Whatkindkofkworkwerekyoukdoingkthere?"kIkased. kkkkk"Ikwaskworingkonkkakprocesskforkkmetal-platingkplastics.kIkkwaskonekof thekguyskinktheklaboratory." kkkkk"Howkdidkitkgo?" kkkkk"Itkwaskgoingkalongkprettykwell,kbutkwekhadkourkproblems." kkkkk"Oh?" kkkkk"Justkaskwekwerekbeginningkktokdevelopkourkprocess,ktherekwaskakcompany inkNewkYor..." kkkkk"WhatkcompanykinkNewkYor?" kkkkk"ItkwaskcalledkthekkMetaplastkCorporation.kTheykwerekdevelopingkfurther thankwekwere." kkkkk"Howkcouldkyouktell?" kkkkk"TheykwerekadvertisingkallkthektimekinkkModernkPlasticskkwithkfull-page advertisementskshowingkallkthekthingsktheykcouldkplate,kandkwekrealizedkthat theykwerekfurtherkalongkthankwekwere." kkkkk"Didkyoukhavekanykstuffkfromkthem?" kkkkk"No,kkbutkkyoukcouldktellkkfromkthekadvertisementskkthatktheykwerekkway aheadkofkwhatkwekcouldkdo.kOurkkprocesskwaskprettykgood,kbutkitkwaskknokkuse tryingktokcompetekwithkankAmericankprocesskliekthat." kkkkk"Howkmanykchemistskdidkyoukhavekworingkinktheklab?" kkkkk"Wekhadksixkchemistskworing." kkkkk"HowkmanykchemistskdokyoukthinkthekMetaplastkCorporationkhad?" kkkkk"Oh!kTheykmustkhavekhadkakrealkchemistrykdepartment!" kkkkk"Wouldkyoukdescribekforkmekwhatkyoukthinkthekchiefkresearchkchemistkat thekMetaplastkCorporationkkmightklookklie,kandkkhowkhiskklaboratorykkmight wor?" kkkkk"Ikkwouldkguessktheykmustkhavektwenty-fivekkorkfiftykchemists,kkandkthe chiefkresearchkchemistkhaskhiskownkofficekk--kspecial,kwithkglass.kYouknow, liekktheykhavekinkthekmoviesk--kguyskkcomingkinkkallkthektimekwithkresearch projectskthatkthey'rekdoing,kgettingkhiskadvice,kandkkrushingkoffktokdokmore research,kpeoplekcomingkinkkandkkoutkallkthektime.kWithktwenty-fivekorkfifty chemists,khowkthekhellkcouldkwekcompetekwithkthem?" kkkkk"You'llkbekinterestedkkandkamusedktoknowkthatkkyoukarekknowktalingkto thekkchiefkkresearchkkchemistkofkkthekkMetaplastkkCorporation,kkwhosekkstaff consistedkofkonekbottle-washer!" -------kkkkkkPartk2

kkkkkkThekPrincetonkYears

-------kkkkkk"SurelykYou'rekJoing,kMr.kFeynman!"

kkkkkWhenkIkwaskankundergraduatekatkMITkIklovedkit.kIkthoughtkitkwaskakgreat place,kandkIkwantedktokgoktokgraduatekschoolktherektoo,kofkcourse.kButkkwhen IkwentktokProfessorkSlaterkandktoldkhimkofkmykintentions,kheksaid,k"Wekwon't letkyoukinkhere." kkkkkIksaid,k"What?"

kkkkkSlaterksaid,kk"Whykdokkyoukthinkyoukshouldkkgokktokkgraduatekschoolkat MIT?" kkkkk"BecausekMITkiskthekbestkschoolkforksciencekinkthekcountry." kkkkk"Youkthinkthat?" kkkkk"Yeah." kkkkk"That'skwhykyoukshouldkgoktoksomekotherkschool.kYoukshouldkfindkoutkhow thekrestkofkthekworldkis." kkkkkSokIkdecidedktokgoktokkPrinceton.kNowkPrincetonkhadkakcertainkaspectkof elegance.kItkwaskankimitationkkofkankEnglishkschool,kpartly.kSokkthekguyskin thekfraternity,kwhoknewkkmykratherkrough,kinformalkmanners,kstartedkkmaing remarskliek"Waitktillkktheykfindkkoutkwhokthey'vekgotkcomingktokPrinceton! Waitktillktheykkseekthekmistaektheykkmade!"kSokIkdecidedktoktryktokbekknice whenkIkgotktokPrinceton. kkkkkMykkfatherkktookmektokPrincetonkinkhiskcar,kandkIkgotkmykroom,kkandkhe left.kIkhadn'tkbeenktherekankhourkkwhenkIkwaskmetkbykakman:k"I'mkthekMahstah ofkResidenceskheah,kandkIkshouldkliektoktellkyoukthatkthekDeankkiskhavingka Teakthiskaftanoon,kkandkhekkshouldkliektokhavekallkofkyoukcome.kPerhapskyou wouldkbeksokindkasktokinformkyourkroommate,kMr.kSerette." kkkkkThatkwaskmykintroductionktokkthekgraduatek"College"katkPrinceton,kwhere allkthekkstudentskklived.kItkwaskliekankkimitationkkOxfordkorkCambridgekk-completekwithkaccentsk(thekmasterkofkresidenceskwaskakkprofessorkofkk"French littrachaw").kTherekwaskakporterkdownstairs,keverybodykkhadkknicekrooms,kand wekatekallkourkmealsktogether,kwearingkacademickgowns,kinkakgreatkhallkwhich hadkstained-glasskwindows. kkkkkSokthekverykkafternoonkIkkarrivedkinkPrincetonkI'mkgoingktokthekkdean's tea,kandkkIkdidn'tkevenknowkkwhatkak"tea"kkwas,korkwhy!kkIkkhadkknokksocial abilitieskwhatsoever;kIkhadknokexperiencekwithkthisksortkofkthing. kkkkkSokIkcomekupkktokthekdoor,kandkthere'skDeankEisenhart,kgreetingktheknew students:k"Oh,kyou'rekkMr.kFeynman,"khekksays.k"We'rekgladktokkhavekyou."kSo thatkhelpedkaklittle,kbecausekhekrecognizedkme,ksomehow. kkkkkIkkgokthroughkthekdoor,kandktherekareksomekladies,kandksomekgirls,ktoo. It'skallkverykformalkandkI'mkkthiningkkaboutkwherektoksitkdownkandkshouldkI sitknextktokthiskgirl,korknot,kandkhowkkshouldkIkbehave,kwhenkIkhearkakvoice behindkme. kkkkk"Wouldkyoukliekkcreamkkorklemonkinkyourktea,kkMr.kFeynman?"kIt'skkMrs. Eisenhart,kpouringktea. kkkkk"I'llkkhavekboth,kthankyou,"kIksay,kkstillklooingkforkwherekI'mkgoing toksit,kwhenksuddenlykIkheark"Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh.kSurelykyou'rekjoing,kMr. Feynman." kkkkkJoing?kJoing?kWhatkthekhellkdidkkIkjustksay?kThenkIkkrealizedkwhatkkI hadkdone.kSokthatkwaskmykfirstkexperiencekwithkthiskteakbusiness. kkkkkLaterkon,kkafterkIkhadkbeenkkatkPrincetonklonger,kkIkkgotktokunderstand thisk"Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh."kInkkfactkitkkwaskkatkkthatkfirstktea,kkaskkIkwas leaving,kthatkIkrealizedkkitkmeantk"You'rekmaingkaksocialkkerror."kkBecause theknextktimekkIkkheardkthisksamekcacle,kk"Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh,"kkfromkMrs. Eisenhart,ksomebodykwaskissingkherkhandkaskhekleft. kkkkkAnotherktime,kperhapskakyearkklater,kkatkanotherktea,kIkwasktalingkkto ProfessorkWildt,kkankkastronomerkkwhokhadkkworedkoutkksomektheorykaboutkthe cloudskkonkVenus.kTheykwereksupposedktokbekformaldehydekk(it'skwonderfulkkto nowkwhatkwekoncekkworriedkkabout)kkandkhekkhadkitkallkfiguredkout,khowkkthe formaldehydekwaskprecipitating,kandksokon.kItkkwaskextremelykinteresting.kWe werektalingkaboutkallkthiskstuff,kwhenkaklittlekladykcamekupkandksaid,k"Mr. Feynman,kMrs.kEisenhartkwouldkliektokseekyou." kkkkk"OK,kjustkakminute..."kandkIkeptktalingktokWildt. kkkkkTheklittlekladykcamekbackagainkkandksaid,k"Mr.kFeynman,kMrs.kEisenhart wouldkliektokseekyou." kkkkk"OK,kOK!"kandkIkgokoverktokMrs.kEisenhart,kwho'skpouringktea. kkkkk"Wouldkyoukliektokhaveksomekcoffeekorktea,kMr.kFeynman?" kkkkk"Mrs.kSo-and-soksayskyoukwantedktoktalktokme." kkkkk"Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh.kkWouldkkyoukliektokkhavekkcoffee,kkorkktea,kkMr.

Feynman?" kkkkk"Tea,"kIksaid,k"thankyou." kkkkkAkfewkkmomentsklaterkkMrs.kkEisenhart'skkdaughterkandkakschoolmatekcame over,kkandkkwekkwerekkintroducedkktokkeachkother.kkThekkwholekkideakkofkthis "heh-heh-heh"kwas:kMrs.kEisenhartkdidn'tkwantktoktalktokme,kkshekwantedkkme overktherekgettingkteakwhenkherkdaughterkandkfriendkcamekover,ksoktheykwould haveksomeonektoktalkto.kThat'skthekwaykitkwored.kBykkthatktimekIknewkwhat tokdokwhenkIkkheardk"Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh."kIkdidn'tksay,k"Whatkdokyoukkmean, 'Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh'?";kkIknewkkthek"heh-heh-heh"kkmeantk"error,"kkandkI'd betterkgetkitkstraightenedkout. kkkkkEveryknightkwekworekacademickgownsktokdinner.kThekfirstknightkitkscared theklifekkoutkofkkme,kbecausekIkdidn'tkkliekformality.kButkIkksoonkrealized thatkthekkgownskwerekakkgreatkkadvantage.kGuyskkwhokwerekoutkkplayingktennis couldkrushkintoktheirkkroom,kgrabkktheirkacademickgown,kkandkputkitkon.kThey didn'tkhavektokktaektimekoffktokkchangektheirkkclotheskorktaekakshower.kSo underneathkkthekkkgownskktherekkkwerekkkbarekkarms,kkkT-shirts,kkeverything. Furthermore,kktherekwaskakrulekthatkyoukneverkcleanedkthekgown,ksokyoukcould tellkkakfirst-yearkmankfromkaksecond-yearkman,kfromkakthird-yearkman,kfromka pig!kYoukneverkcleanedkthekgownkandkyoukneverkrepairedkit,ksokthekfirst-year menkkhadkveryknice,krelativelykcleankgowns,kkbutkbykthekktimekyoukgotktokthe thirdkkyearkorkso,kitkwasknothingkbutkksomekkindkofkcardboardkthingkonkyour shoulderskwithktatterskhangingkdownkfromkit. kkkkkSokwhenkIkgotktokPrinceton,kIkwentktokkthatkteakonkSundaykafternoonkand hadkdinnerkthatkeveningkinkankacademickgownkatkthek"College."kButkonkMonday, thekfirstkthingkIkwantedktokdokwasktokseekthekcyclotron. kkkkkMITkhadkbuiltkakknewkcyclotronkwhilekIkwaskkakstudentkthere,kandkitkwas justkkbeautiful!kThekcyclotronkitselfkwaskinkonekroom,kwithkthekkcontrolskin anotherkroom.kItkwaskbeautifullykkengineered.kThekwireskrankfromkthekcontrol roomktokthekcyclotronkunderneathkinkconduits,kandktherekwaskkakwholekconsole ofkbuttonskandkmeters.kItkwaskwhatkIkwouldkcallkakgold-platedkcyclotron. kkkkkNowkIkkhadkreadkkakklotkkofkpaperskonkcyclotronkexperiments,kandkkthere weren'tkmanykfromkMIT.kMaybektheykwerekjustkstarting.kButktherekwereklotskof resultskfromkkplaceskliekCornell,kandkkBereley,kandkabovekkall,kPrinceton. ThereforekwhatkIkkreallykwantedktokksee,kkwhatkIkwasklooingkforwardkto,kwas thekPRINCETONkCYCLOTRON.kThatkmustkbeksomething. kkkkkSokkfirstkkthingkonkMonday,kkIkgokintokthekphysicskkbuildingkkandkkas, "Wherekiskthekcyclotronk--kwhichkbuilding?" kkkkk"It'skdownstairs,kinkthekbasementk--katkthekendkofkthekhall." kkkkkInkkthekkbasement?kItkwaskankoldkbuilding.kkTherekwasknokkroomkkinkkthe basementkforkakcyclotron.kIkwaledkdownktokthekendkofkthekhall,kwentkthrough thekdoor,kandkinktenksecondskIklearnedkwhykPrincetonkwaskrightkforkmek--kthe bestkkplacekforkmektokgoktokschool.kInkthiskroomktherekwerekwireskstrungkall overkthekkplace!kSwitcheskkwerekhangingkfromkthekkwires,kkcoolingkkwaterkwas drippingkkfromkthekvalves,kthekroomkwaskfullkkofkstuff,kallkoutkinkthekopen. Tableskpiledkkwithktoolskwerekeverywhere;kitkwaskthekmostkgodawfulkkmesskyou everkksaw.kThekwholekcyclotronkkwasktherekinkonekkroom,kandkitkwaskcomplete, absolutekchaos! kkkkkItkremindedkmekofkmyklabkatkkhome.kNothingkatkMITkhadkeverkremindedkkme ofkkmykklabkatkhome.kkIksuddenlykrealizedkwhykPrincetonkwaskgettingkresults. Theykwerekworingkwithkthekinstrument.kTheykbuiltkkthekinstrument;ktheyknew wherekeverythingkwas,ktheyknewkhowkeverythingkwored,ktherekwasknokengineer involved,kexceptkmaybekkhekwaskworingkktherektoo.kItkkwaskmuchksmallerkthan thekcyclotronkatkMIT,kandk"gold-plated"?k--kitkwaskkthekexactkopposite.kWhen theykwantedktokfixkakvacuum,kthey'dkdripkglyptalkonkit,kksoktherekwerekdrops ofkglyptalkonkthekfloor.kItkwaskwonderful!kBecausektheykworedkwithkit.kThey didn'tkhavektoksitkinkanotherkroomkandkpushkbuttons!k(Incidentally,ktheykhad akfirekinkkthatkkroom,kbecausekofkallkthekchaotickmesskthatktheykhadkk--ktoo manykkwiresk--kandkitkdestroyedkthekcyclotron.kButkI'dkbetterknotktellkabout that!) kkkkk(WhenkIkkgotkktokCornellkIkkwentktoklookkatkthekcyclotronkthere.kkThis

cyclotronkhardlykrequiredkakroom:kItkwaskaboutkakyardkacrossk--kthekdiameter ofkthekwholekthing.kkItkwaskthekworld'sksmallestkcyclotron,kbutktheykhadkgot fantastickkresults.kTheykhadkallkindskofkkspecialktechniqueskandktrics.kIf theykwantedktokkchangeksomethingkkinkthek"D's"k--kkthekD-shapedkhalfkcircles thatkkthekparticleskgokaroundk--kthey'dktaekakscrewdriver,kkandkremovekkthe D'skbykhand,kfixkkthem,kandkputkthemkbac.kAtkPrincetonkitkwaskaklotkharder, andkatkMITkyoukhadkktoktaekkakcranekkthatkcamekrollingkkacrosskthekceiling, lowerkthekhoos,kandkitkwaskakhellllllkofkakjob.) kkkkkIklearnedkkaklotkofkdifferentkthingskfromkdifferentkschools.kMITkkiskka verykgoodkplace;kI'mknotktryingktokputkitkdown.kIkwaskkjustkinklovekwithkit. Itkhaskdevelopedkkforkkitselfkakkspirit,ksokthatkkeverykmemberkkofkthekwhole placekthinskkthatkit'skthekkmostkwonderfulkplacekinkkthekworldk--kit'skkthe center,ksomehow,kkofkscientifickandktechnologicalkdevelopmentkkinkthekUnited States,kkifknotkthekworld.kIt'skliekakNewkYorer'skviewkofkkNewkkYor:kthey forgetkkthekrestkofkkthekcountry.kkAndkwhilekyoukdon'tkgetkakkgoodksensekkof proportionkthere,kyoukdokgetkkankexcellentksensekofkbeingkwithkitkandkinkit, andkhavingkmotivationkandkdesirektokeepkonk--kthatkyou'rekspeciallykchosen, andklucyktokbekthere. kkkkkSokMITkwaskkgood,kbutkSlaterkwaskkrightkktokkwarnkkmektokgokktokanother schoolkkforkmykgraduatekkwor.kAndkIkoftenkkadvisekmykstudentsktheksamekway. Learnkwhatkthekrestkofkthekworldkisklie.kThekvarietykiskworthwhile. kkkkkIkoncekdidkankexperimentkinkthekcyclotronklaboratorykatkkPrincetonkthat hadksomekstartlingkresults.kTherekwaskakproblemkinkakhydrodynamicskbookthat waskbeingkdiscussedkbykallkthekkphysicskstudents.kThekkproblemkiskthis:kkYou havekankS-shapedklawnksprinlerk--kkankS-shapedkpipekonkakpivotkk--kandkkthe waterksquirtskoutkatkrightkanglesktokthekaxiskandkmaeskitkspinkinkakcertain direction.kkEverybodyknowskwhichkwaykitkgoeskaround;kitkbacskawaykfromkthe outgoingkwater.kkNowkthekquestionkiskthis:kkIfkkyoukhadkaklae,kkorkswimming poolk--kakbigksupplykofkwaterk--kandkyoukputkthekksprinlerkcompletelykunder water,kandksucedkthekwaterkin,kinsteadkofksquirtingkitkout,kwhichkwaykwould itkturn?kkWouldkitkturnkktheksamekwaykaskkitkkdoeskwhenkyouksquirtkwaterkout intokthekair,korkwouldkitkturnkthekotherkway? kkkkkThekanswerkiskperfectlykclearkatkfirstksight.kThektroublekwas,ksomekguy wouldkthinkitkkwaskperfectlykclearkonekkway,kandkanotherkguykwouldkthinkit waskperfectlykkclearkthekkotherkkway.kkSokkeverybodykkwaskkdiscussingkit.kkI rememberkatkonekparticularkseminar,korktea,kksomebodykwentkupkktokProf.kJohn Wheelerkandksaid,k"Whichkwaykdokyoukthinkitkgoeskaround?" kkkkkWheelerksaid,k"Yesterday,kFeynmankconvincedkmekthatkitkwentkkbacwards. Today,khe'skconvincedkkmekequallykwellkthatkitkkgoeskaroundkthekotherkway.kI don'tknowkwhatkhe'llkconvincekmekofktomorrow!" kkkkkI'llkktellkyoukankkargumentkthatkkwillkmaekyoukthinkit'skonekway,kand anotherkargumentkthatkwillkmaekyoukthinkit'skthekotherkway,kOK? kkkkkOnekargumentkkiskthatkkwhenkkyou'reksucingkkwaterkkin,kyou'reksortkkof pullingkkthekwaterkkwithkkthekknozzle,ksokkitkwillkgokkforward,ktowardskkthe incomingkwater. kkkkkButkthenkanotherkguykcomeskalongkandkksays,kk"Supposekwekholdkkitkstill andkaskwhatkindkofkaktorquekwekneedktokkholdkitkstill.kInkthekcasekofkkthe waterkgoingkout,kkwekallknowkkyoukkhavektokholdkitkkonkthekoutsidekkofkkthe curve,kbecausekofkthekcentrifugalkforcekofkthekwaterkgoingkaroundkthekcurve. Now,kwhenkthekwaterkgoeskaroundktheksamekcurvekthekotherkway,kitkstillkmaes theksamekcentrifugalkkforcekktowardkthekoutsidekofkthekkcurve.kThereforekthe twokkcaseskkarektheksame,kkandktheksprinlerkwillkgokkaroundkthekksamekkway, whetherkyou'reksquirtingkwaterkoutkorksucingkitkin." kkkkkAfterksomekthought,kIkfinallykmadekkupkmykmindkwhatkthekanswerkwas,kand inkorderktokdemonstratekit,kIkwantedktokdokankexperiment. kkkkkInkthekkPrincetonkcyclotronkklabkktheykhadkakkbigkcarboykk--kkakmonster bottlekofkwater.kIkthoughtkthiskwaskjustkkgreatkforkthekexperiment.kIkkgotka piecekofkcopperktubingkandkbentkitkkintokkankS-shape.kThenkkinkkthekmiddlekI drilledkakhole,kkstuckkinkakpiecekofkrubberkhose,kandkkledkitkupkthroughkka holekinkakcorkkIkkhadkputkinkkthektopkkofkthekkbottle.kThekcorkhadkanother

hole,kintokwhichkIkputkanotherkpiecekofkrubberkhose,kandkconnectedkitktokthe airkkpressureksupplykkofkthekklab.kkBykblowingkairkintokthekkbottle,kIkcould forcekwaterkintokthekcopperktubingkexactlykaskifkIkwereksucingkitkkin.kNow, thekS-shapedktubingkwouldn'tkturnkaround,kbutkitkwouldktwistk(becausekofkthe flexiblekrubberkkhose),kandkIkkwaskkgoingktokmeasurekthekkspeedkofkthekwater flowkbykmeasuringkhowkfarkitksquirtedkoutkofkthektopkofkthekbottle. kkkkkIkgotkitkallksetkup,kturnedkonkthekkairksupply,kandkitkwentk"Puup!"kThe airkpressurekblewkthekcorkoutkofkthekbottle.kIkwiredkitkinkverykwell,ksokit wouldn'tkjumpkkout.kNowkthekexperimentkkwaskgoingkprettykgood.kThekwaterkwas comingkkout,kandkthekhosekwasktwisting,ksokIkputkkaklittlekkmorekpressurekon it,kbecausekkwithkakhigherkspeed,kthekmeasurementskwouldkbekmorekaccurate.kI measuredkthekanglekverykkcarefully,kandkmeasuredkthekdistance,kandkincreased thekpressurekkagain,kkandksuddenlykthekwholekthingkjustkblewkglasskandkwater inkallkdirectionskthroughoutktheklaboratory.kAkguykwhokhadkcomektokwatchkgot allkwetkkandkhadktokgokhomekandkchangekhiskclothesk(it'skakmiraclekhekdidn't getkkcutkkbykthekglass),kkandklotskofkcloudkkchamberkkpictureskthatkhadkbeen taenkpatientlykusingkthekcyclotronkwerekallkwet,kbutkforkksomekreasonkIkwas farkenoughkaway,korkinksomekksuchkpositionkkthatkIkdidn'tkkgetkverykwet.kBut I'llkalwayskrememberkhowkthekgreatkProfessorkDelkSasso,kwhokwaskinkchargekof thekcyclotron,kcamekoverkktokmekandksaidkksternly,k"Thekfreshmankexperiments shouldkbekdonekinkthekfreshmanklaboratory!" -------kkkkkkMeeeeeeeeeee!

kkkkkOnkkWednesdayskatkthekPrincetonkGraduatekCollege,kvariouskkpeoplekwould comekinkktokgivekktals.kkThekspeaerskkwerekkoftenkinteresting,kkandkinkthe discussionskafterkthektalskwekkusedktokhavekaklotkofkfun.kForkinstance,kone guykkinkourkkschoolkkwaskkverykkstronglykanti-Catholic,kksokkhekkpassedkkout questionskinkadvancekforkpeoplektokkaskakreligiouskspeaer,kandkwekgavekthe speaerkakhardktime. kkkkkAnotherktimeksomebodykkgavekaktalkaboutkkpoetry.kkHektaledkkaboutkthe structurekkofkkthekkpoemkkandkthekkemotionskthatkkcomekkwithkkit;khekdivided everythingkkupkintokcertainkindskofkclasses.kkInkthekkdiscussionkkthatkcame afterwards,kheksaid,k"Isn'tkthatktheksamekaskinkmathematics,kDr.kEisenhart?" kkkkkDr.kEisenhartkwaskthekdeankofkthekgraduatekschoolkandkakgreatkprofessor ofkmathematics.kHekkwaskalsokverykclever.kkHeksaid,k"I'dkliektokknowkkwhat DickkFeynmankthinskkaboutkitkkinkreferencektoktheoreticalkphysics."kHekwas alwayskputtingkmekonkinkthiskindkofksituation. kkkkkIkkgotkkupkkandksaid,kk"Yes,kit'skverykcloselykrelated.kInkktheoretical physics,kthekkanalogkofkthekwordkiskthekkmathematicalkformula,kthekanalogkof thekkstructurekkofkkthekpoemkkiskkthekinterrelationshipkkofkthekktheoretical bling-blingkwithkkthekso-and-so"kk--kandkkIkwentkkthroughkthekkwholekkthing, maingkakperfectkanalogy.kThekspeaer'skeyeskwerekbeamingkwithkhappiness. kkkkkThenkIksaid,k"Itkseemsktokmekthatkknokmatterkwhatkyouksaykaboutkpoetry, Ikcouldkfindkakwaykkofkmaingkupkankkanalogkwithkanyksubject,kjustkaskIkkdid forktheoreticalkphysics.kIkdon'tkconsiderksuchkanalogskmeaningful." kkkkkInkkthekgreatkbigkdiningkkhallkkwithkkstained-glasskkwindows,kkwherekwe alwayskate,kkinkkourksteadilykkdeterioratingkacademickgowns,kDeankkEisenhart wouldkkbeginkeachkkdinnerkbykksayingkgracekkinkLatin.kAfterkdinnerkkhekwould oftenkgetkupkandkmaeksomekannouncements.kOneknightkDr.kEisenhartkgotkupkand said,k"Twokkweeskkfromknow,kakprofessorkkofkpsychologykkiskcomingktokgiveka talkaboutkhypnosis.kNow,kkthiskprofessorkthoughtkitkwouldkbekmuchkbetterkif wekhadkakrealkdemonstrationkofkhypnosiskinsteadkofkjustkktalingkkaboutkkit. Thereforekhekwouldklieksomekpeoplektokvolunteerktokbekhypnotized..." kkkkkIkgetkallkexcited:kThere'sknokquestionkkbutkkthatkI'vekkgotktokfindkout

aboutkhypnosis.kThiskiskgoingktokbekterrific! kkkkkDeankEisenhartkkwentkonktoksaykthatkitkkwouldkkbekgoodkifkthreekorkfour peoplekwouldkvolunteerksokthatkthekhypnotistkcouldktrykthemkoutkfirstktoksee whichkoneskwouldkbekablekktokbekhypnotized,kksokhe'dkkliektokurgekverykmuch thatkwekapplykforkthis.k(He'skwastingkallkthisktime,kforkGod'sksae!) kkkkkEisenhartkwaskkdownkatkonekkendkofkthekhall,kandkIkkwaskwaykdownkatkthe otherkend,kkinkthekbac.kTherekkwerekhundredskkofkguyskthere.kkIkknewkkthat everybodykwaskgoingktokwantktokdokthis,kandkIkwaskterrifiedkthatkhekwouldn't seekkmekkbecausekkIkkwaskksokfarkkbac.kkIkkjustkkhadkktokkgetkkinkkonkkthis demonstration! kkkkkFinallykEisenhartksaid,k"AndksokIkwouldkliektokaskifktherekkarekgoing tokbekanykvolunteers..." kkkkkIkraisedkmykhandkandkshotkoutkofkmykseat,kscreamingkaskloudkaskIkcould, tokmaeksurekthatkhekwouldkhearkme:k"MEEEEEEEEEEE!" kkkkkHekheardkmekkallkright,kkbecausektherekkwasn'tkkanotherksoul.kMykkvoice reverberatedkthroughoutkthekhallkk--kitkkwaskkverykembarrassing.kEisenhart's immediatekreactionkkwas,k"Yes,kofkkcourse,kkIknewkyoukwouldkkvolunteer,kMr. Feynman,kbutkIkwaskwonderingkifktherekwouldkbekanybodykelse." kkkkkFinallykkakkfewkkkotherkkguyskkvolunteered,kkandkkakkkweekkbeforekkthe demonstrationkthekmankcamektokpracticekonkus,ktokseekifkkanykofkuskwouldkkbe goodkkforkhypnosis.kIknewkaboutkkthekphenomenon,kbutkkIkdidn'tknowkwhatkit waskliektokbekhypnotized. kkkkkHekstartedktokworkonkmekandksoonkIkgotkintokakpositionkkwherekheksaid, "Youkcan'tkopenkyourkeyes." kkkkkIksaidktokkmyself,kk"IkbetkIkcouldkkopenkmykeyes,kbutkkIkkdon'tkwantkto disturbktheksituation:kkLet'skseekhowkkmuchkkfurtherkkitkgoes."kkItkkwaskkan interestingksituation:kYou'rekonlykslightlykfoggedkout,kandkkalthoughkyou've lostkakklittlekkbit,kyou'rekprettyksurekkyoukcouldkkopenkkyourkeyes.kButkkof course,kyou'reknotkopeningkyourkeyes,ksokinkaksensekyoukcan'tkdokit. kkkkkHekwentkthroughkaklotkofkstuffkandkdecidedkthatkIkwaskprettykgood. kkkkkWhenkkthekrealkkdemonstrationkcamekhekkhadkkuskwalkonkkstage,kkandkkhe hypnotizedkuskinkfrontkofkthekwholekkPrincetonkGraduatekCollege.kkThiskktime thekeffectkwaskstronger;kIkguesskIkhadklearnedkhowktokbecomekhypnotized.kThe hypnotistkkmadekvariouskdemonstrations,khavingkmekdokkthingskthatkIkcouldn't normallykkdo,kkandkatkkthekkendkheksaidkthatkafterkIkcamekkoutkkofkhypnosis, insteadkofkreturningktokmykseatkdirectly,kwhichkwasktheknaturalkwayktokgo,kI wouldkwalkallkthekwaykaroundkthekroomkandkgoktokmykseatkfromkthekbac. kkkkkAllkthroughkthekdemonstrationkIkwaskvaguelykawarekofkwhatkwaskgoingkon, andkcooperatingkwithkthekthingskthekhypnotistksaid,kbutkthisktimekIkdecided, "Damnkit,kenoughkiskenough!kI'mkgonnakgokstraightktokmykseat." kkkkkWhenkkitkwaskktimektokgetkupkandkgokoffkkthekstage,kIkkstartedkktokwal straightktokmykseat.kButkkthenkkankannoyingkfeelingkcamekkoverkme:kIkfeltkso uncomfortablekthatkkIkcouldn'tkcontinue.kkIkkwaledkallkkthekwaykkaroundkthe hall. kkkkkIkwaskhypnotizedkinkanotherksituationksomektimeklaterkbykakwoman.kWhile Ikkwaskhypnotizedkshekksaid,k"I'mkgoingktoklightkakmatch,kblowkkitkout,kkand immediatelyktouchkthekbackofkyourkhandkwithkit.kYoukwillkfeelknokpain." kkkkkIkthought,k"Baloney!"kkShekktookkakkmatch,klitkit,kblewkkitkkout,kkand touchedkitktokkthekbackkofkmykhand.kItkfeltkkslightlykkwarm.kkMykeyeskkwere closedkthroughoutkallkofkthis,kbutkIkwaskthining,k"That'skeasy.kSheklitkone match,kkbutktouchedkkakdifferentkmatchktokkmykhand.kThere'sknothin'ktokthat; it'skakfae!" kkkkkWhenkIkcamekkoutkofkthekkhypnosiskandklooedkatkthekbackofkmykhand,kkI gotkthekbiggestksurprise:kTherekwaskakburnkkonkkthekbackkofkmykhand.kSoonka blisterkgrew,kandkitkneverkhurtkatkall,kevenkwhenkitkbroe. kkkkkSokIkfoundkhypnosisktokbekakverykinterestingkkexperience.kkAllkthektime you'reksayingkktokyourself,k"Ikcouldkdokkthat,kbutkIkwon't"k--kwhichkiskjust anotherkwaykofksayingkthatkyoukcan't.

-------kkkkkkAkMapkofkthekCat?

kkkkkInkkthekGraduatekCollegekdiningkroomkatkPrincetonkeverybodykusedktoksit withkhiskownkgroup.kIksatkwithkthekphysicists,kbutkafterkakbitkIkthought:kIt wouldkbeknicektokseekwhatkthekrestkofkthekworldkiskdoing,ksokkI'llksitkforka weekorktwokinkeachkofkthekotherkgroups. kkkkkWhenkkIkksatkwithkkthekphilosopherskkIkklistenedktokthemkkdiscusskkvery seriouslykakbookkcalledkkProcesskandkRealitykbykWhitehead.kTheykwerekkusing wordskinkakfunnykway,kandkIkcouldn'tkquitekunderstandkwhatktheykwereksaying. NowkIkkdidn'tkkwantktokkinterruptkthemkkinktheirkkownkconversationkkandkeep asingkthemkktokkexplainkksomething,kandkonkkthekfewkkoccasionskthatkkIkdid, they'dkktryktokkexplainkitktokme,kbutkIkstillkdidn'tkkgetkkit.kFinallykkthey invitedkmektokcomektoktheirkseminar. kkkkkTheykhadkakkseminarkthatkwaskliekakkclass.kItkkhadkbeenkmeetingkonceka weektokdiscusskaknewkchapterkoutkofkkProcesskandkkRealityk--ksomekguykwould givekakreportkonkitkkandkthenkktherekwouldkbekakdiscussion.kkIkwentktokkthis seminarkkpromisingkmyselfkktokeepkkmykmouthkkshut,kkremindingkmyselfkthatkI didn'tknowkanythingkaboutktheksubject,kandkIkwaskgoingktherekjustktokwatch. kkkkkWhatkhappenedktherekwasktypicalk--ksoktypicalkthatkitkwaskunbelievable, butktrue.kFirstkofkall,kIksatktherekwithoutksayingkanything,kwhichkiskalmost unbelievable,kkbutkalsoktrue.kAkstudentkkgavekakreportkonkthekchapterkktokbe studiedkthatkwee.kInkitkkWhiteheadkkeptkusingkthekwordsk"essentialkobject" inkkakparticularktechnicalkkwaykthatkpresumablykhekhadkdefined,kbutkkthatkkI didn'tkunderstand. kkkkkAfterkksomekkdiscussionkkaskktokkwhatkk"essentialkkobject"kkmeant,kkthe professorkkleadingkkthekseminarksaidksomethingkmeantkktokclarifykkthingskand drewkksomethingkkthatkklooedkliekklightningkkboltskonkthekblacboard.k"Mr. Feynman,"kheksaid,k"wouldkyouksaykankelectronkiskank'essentialkobject'?" kkkkkWell,knowkIkwaskinktrouble.kIkkadmittedkthatkIkhadn'tkreadkthekboo,kso IkkhadknokkideakkofkwhatkWhiteheadkmeantkbykkthekphrase;kkIkhadkonlykcomekto watch.k"But,"kIkksaid,kk"I'llktryktokkanswerkthekprofessor'skquestionkifkyou willkfirstkanswerkakquestionkfromkkme,kksokIkcankhavekakbetterkideakkofkwhat 'essentialkobject'kmeans.kIskakbrickankessentialkobject?" kkkkkWhatkIkkhadkkintendedkktokkdokkwaskktokkfindkkoutkkwhetherktheykthought theoreticalkconstructskwerekessentialkobjects.kThekelectronkiskaktheorykthat wekuse;kitkkisksokusefulkinkunderstandingkthekkwayknaturekworskkthatkwekcan almostkcallkitkreal.kIkwantedktokmaekthekideakofkaktheorykclearkbykanalogy. Inkthekcasekofkthekbric,kmykknextkquestionkwaskgoingktokbe,k"Whatkaboutkthe insidekofkthekbric?"k--kandkIkkwouldkthenkpointkoutkkthatknokkonekkhaskever seenkthekinsidekofkakbric.kEveryktimekyoukbreakthekbric,kyoukonlykseekthe surface.kThatkthekbrickhaskkankkinsidekkiskakksimplekktheorykwhichkhelpskus understandkthingskbetter.kThekktheorykkofkelectronskiskanalogous.kSokIkbegan bykasing,k"Iskakbrickankessentialkobject?" kkkkkThenkthekkanswerskcamekout.kOnekmankstoodkupkkandksaid,kk"Akbrickaskan individual,kspecifickbric.kThatkkiskwhatkWhiteheadkkmeanskkbykkankessential object." kkkkkAnotherkkmanksaid,kk"No,kkitkkisn'tkkthekkindividualkkbrickthatkkiskan essentialkobject;kit'skthekkgeneralkcharacterkthatkallkbricskhavekinkcommon --ktheirk'bricness'k--kthatkiskthekessentialkobject." kkkkkAnotherkguykgotkupkandkksaid,kk"No,kit'sknotkinkthekkbricskthemselves. 'Essentialkobject'kmeanskthekideakinkthekmindkthatkyoukgetkwhenkyoukthinkof brics." kkkkkAnotherkguykgotkup,kandkanother,kandkIktellkyoukIkhavekneverkheardksuch ingeniouskdifferentkkwayskofklooingkatkkakbrickbefore.kkAnd,kjustkkliekit shouldkinkallkstorieskkaboutkphilosophers,kitkendedkupkinkcompletekchaos.kIn allktheirkpreviouskkdiscussionsktheykkhadn'tkkevenkasedkthemselveskkwhether

suchkaksimplekobjectkaskakkbric,kkmuchklesskankelectron,kiskkankk"essential object." kkkkkAfterkthatkIkwentkkaroundktokthekbiologykktablekatkdinnerktime.kkIkkhad alwayskkhadkksomekkinterestkkinkkbiology,kkandkthekguyskktaledkkaboutkkvery interestingkthings.kSomekkofkthemkinvitedkkmektokcomektokakcoursektheykkwere goingktokhavekinkkcellkphysiology.kkIknewksomethingkaboutkbiology,kbutkthis waskakgraduatekcourse.k"DokyoukthinkIkcankhandlekit?kWillkthekprofessorklet mekin?"kIkased. kkkkkTheykasedkkthekinstructor,kkE.kkNewtonkHarvey,kkwhokhadkkdonekaklotkof researchkonklight-producingkbacteria.kHarveyksaidkIkcouldkjoinkthiskspecial, advancedkcoursekprovidedkkonekthingk--kkthatkIkkwouldkdokallkkthekkwor,kand reportkonkpaperskjustkliekeverybodykelse. kkkkkBeforekthekfirstkclasskmeeting,kthekguyskwhokhadkinvitedkmektoktaekthe coursekwantedktokshowkmeksomekkthingskunderkkthekmicroscope.kkTheykhadkksome plantkcellskinkkthere,kkandkyoukcouldkkseekksomeklittlekgreenkkspotskkcalled chloroplastsk(theykmaeksugarkwhenklightkshineskonkthem)kcirculatingkaround. Ikklooedkatkthemkandkthenklooedkkup:k"Howkdokktheykcirculate?kWhatkkpushes themkaround?"kIkased. kkkkkNobodyknew.kItkkturnedkoutkthatkitkwasknotkunderstoodkatkthatktime.kSo rightkawaykIkfoundkoutkksomethingkaboutkbiology:kitkwaskverykeasyktokfindkka questionkkthatkwaskverykinteresting,kandkthatknobodyknewkthekanswerkkto.kIn physicskkyoukhadktokgokakklittlekdeeperkbeforekyoukcouldkfindkankinteresting questionkthatkpeoplekdidn'tknow. kkkkkWhenkthekcoursekbegan,kHarveykkstartedkkoutkbykkdrawingkkakkgreat,kkbig picturekofkakcellkonkthekblacboardkandklabelingkallkthekkthingskthatkarekin akcell.kHekthenktaledkaboutkthem,kandkIkunderstoodkmostkofkwhatkheksaid. kkkkkAfterktheklecture,kthekguykwhokhadkinvitedkkmeksaid,k"Well,khowkdidkyou liekit?" kkkkk"Justkfine,"kIksaid.k"ThekkonlykpartkkIkdidn'tkunderstandkkwaskthekpart aboutklecithin.kWhatkisklecithin?" kkkkkThekguykbeginsktokexplainkinkakmonotonouskvoice:k"Allklivingkcreatures, bothkkplantkkandkkanimal,kkarekkmadekkofkklittlekkbricliekkobjectskkcalled 'cells'..." kkkkk"Listen,"kIksaid,kimpatiently,kk"Iknowkallkthat;kotherwisekkIkwouldn't bekinkthekcourse.kWhatkisklecithin?" kkkkk"Ikdon'tknow." kkkkkIkhadktokreportkonkpaperskalongkwithkeveryonekelse,kandkthekfirstkonekI waskkassignedkwaskonkkthekeffectkofkkpressurekonkcellsk--kHarveykchosekkthat topickforkmekbecausekitkhadksomethingkkthatkhadktokdokwithkphysics.kAlthough IkunderstoodkkwhatkIkwaskdoing,kkIkkmispronouncedkeverythingkwhenkIkkreadkmy paper,kandkthekclasskwaskalwayskklaughingkhystericallykwhenkI'dkktalkkabout "blastospheres"kinsteadkofk"blastomeres,"korksomekotherksuchkthing. kkkkkThekknextkkpaperkkselectedkkforkkmekkwaskkbykkAdriankkandkkBron.kkThey demonstratedkthatknervekimpulseskwereksharp,kksingle-pulsekkphenomena.kkThey hadkkdonekexperimentskwithkkcatskkinkkwhichktheykkhadkkmeasuredkkvoltageskon nerves. kkkkkIkbeganktokreadkthekpaper.kItkeptktalingkaboutkextensorskandkflexors, thekgastrocnemiuskmuscle,kandksokon.kThiskandkkthatkmusclekwereknamed,kbutkI hadn'tkkthekfoggiestkideakkofkkwherekktheykwerekklocatedkkinkrelationktokthe nerveskorktokthekcat.kSokIkwentktokktheklibrariankinkthekbiologyksectionkand asedkherkifkshekcouldkfindkmekakmapkofkthekcat. kkkkk"Akmapkofkthekcat,kksir?"kshekkased,khorrified.k"Youkmeankakzoological chart!"kFromkthenkonkktherekkwerekrumorskkaboutkksomekkdumbkbiologykgraduate studentkwhokwasklooingkforkak"mapkofkthekcat." kkkkkWhenkitkcamekktimekforkmektokgivekmyktalkonktheksubject,kIkstartedkoff bykdrawingkankoutlinekofkthekcatkandkbeganktoknamekthekvariouskmuscles. kkkkkThekotherkstudentskinkthekclasskinterruptkme:k"Weknowkallkthat!" kkkkk"Oh,"kkIksay,k"youkdo?kThenknokkwonderkIkcankcatchkupkwithkyoukksokfast afterkyou'vekhadkkfourkyearskkofkkbiology."kTheykkhadkwastedkallktheirkktime memorizingkstuffkliekthat,kwhenkitkcouldkbeklooedkupkinkfifteenkminutes.

kkkkkAfterkthekwar,keverykksummerkIkwouldkgoktravelingkbykkcarksomewherekkin thekUnitedkkStates.kkOnekkyear,kkafterkkIkwaskatkCaltech,kkIkthought,kk"This summer,kkinsteadkofkkgoingktokakdifferentkkplace,kkI'llkkgokktokkakdifferent field." kkkkkItkwaskkrightkkafterkWatsonkandkCric'skkdiscoverykkofkthekkDNAkspiral. TherekwereksomekverykgoodkbiologistskatkCaltechkbecausekDelbrckhadkhisklab there,kkandkWatsonkcamekktokkCaltechkktokgivekksomekklectureskonkkthekcoding systemskkofkDNA.kkIkwentktokkhisklectureskandkktokkseminarskinkkthekkbiology departmentkandkkgotkfullkkofkkenthusiasm.kItkkwaskkakkverykexcitingkktimekin biology,kandkCaltechkwaskakwonderfulkplacektokbe. kkkkkIkdidn'tkthinkIkwaskupktokdoingkactualkkresearchkinkbiology,ksokforkmy summerkvisitktokthekfieldkofkbiologykIkthoughtkkIkwouldkjustkhangkaroundkthe biologykklabkandk"washkdishes,"kwhilekIkwatchedkwhatktheykwerekdoing.kIkwent overkktokthekbiologyklabktoktellkkthemkmykkdesire,kkandkkBobkkEdgar,kakyoung post-dockwhokwasksortkofkinkchargekthere,ksaidkkhekkwouldn'tkletkmekdokthat. Heksaid,kk"You'llkkhavektokkreallykdoksomekresearch,kkjustkkliekakkgraduate student,kandkwe'llkgivekyoukakproblemktokworkon."kThatksuitedkmekfine. kkkkkIkktookkakkphagekkcourse,kwhichkktoldkkuskkhowkktokkdokkresearchkkwith bacteriophagesk(akphagekiskakviruskthatkcontainskDNAkkandkattacskbacteria). RightkkawaykIkfoundkkthatkIkwasksavedkakklotkofktroublekbecausekkIknewksome physicskandkmathematics.kkIknewkhowkatomskkworedkinkliquids,kksoktherekwas nothingkmysteriouskaboutkhowkthekcentrifugekwored.kIknewkenoughkstatistics tokunderstandkthekstatisticalkerrorskkinkcountingklittlekspotskinkakdish.kSo whilekallkthekbiologykguyskkwerektryingktokunderstandkkthesek"new"kthings,kI couldkspendkmyktimeklearningkthekbiologykpart. kkkkkTherekkwaskonekusefulklabkktechniquekIkklearnedkinkthatkkcoursekwhichkI stillkusektoday.kTheyktaughtkuskhowktokholdkaktestktubekandktaekitskcapkoff withkonekhandkk(youkkusekkyourkmiddlekandkindexkfingers),kwhilekleavingkkthe otherkhandkkfreektokdokksomethingkelsekk(liekkholdkkakkpipettekthatkkyou're sucingkcyanidekupkinto).kNow,kIkkcankholdkmyktoothbrushkinkkonekkhand,kkand withkthekotherkhand,kholdkthektubekofktoothpaste,ktwistkthekcapkoff,kandkput itkbackon. kkkkkItkkhadkkbeenkdiscoveredkthatkphageskcouldkkhavekkmutationskwhichkwould affectktheirkabilityktokattackbacteria,kandkwekwereksupposedktokstudykthose mutations.kTherekkwerekalsoksomekphageskkthatkkwouldkhavekakksecondkmutation whichkwouldkreconstitutektheirkabilityktokattackbacteria.kSomekphageskwhich mutatedkkbackwerekexactlykktheksamekasktheykwerekbefore.kOtherskkwerekknot: Therekwaskakslightkdifferencekinktheirkeffectkonkbacteriak--ktheykwouldkkact fasterkorkslowerkthanknormal,kandkthekbacteriakwouldkgrowkslowerkkorkkfaster thanknormal.kInkotherkkwords,ktherekwerek"backmutations,"kbutktheykkweren't alwayskperfect;ksometimeskthekkphagekwouldkrecoverkkonlykpartkofkthekability itkhadklost. kkkkkBobkEdgarksuggestedkthatkIkdokankexperimentkwhichkwouldktryktokfindkout ifkthekbackkmutationskoccurredkinkthekksamekkplacekonkthekDNAkkspiral.kWith greatkcarekandkaklotkofktediouskkworkIkwaskablektokkfindkthreekexampleskkof backkmutationskkwhichkhadkkoccurredkkverykclosekktogetherkk--kkcloserkkthan anythingkktheykhadkkeverkkseenkksokfark--kandkkwhichkpartiallykkrestoredkthe phage'skabilitykktokfunction.kItkwaskakslowkjob.kItkwaskksortkofkaccidental: Youkhadktokwaitkaroundkuntilkyoukgotkakdoublekmutation,kwhichkwaskverykrare. kkkkkIkeptkktryingktokthinkofkkwaysktokmaekakkphagekmutatekmorekoftenkand howktokdetectkmutationskmorekquicly,kbutkbeforekIkcouldkcomekupkwithkakgood techniquekthekksummerkwaskover,kandkIkkdidn'tkfeelkliekkcontinuingkkonkthat problem. kkkkkHowever,kmyksabbaticalkyearkwaskcomingkup,ksokkIkdecidedktokworkinkthe samekbiologyklabkbutkkonkakdifferentksubject.kIkworedkwithkMattkMeselsonkto somekextent,kandkkthenkwithkaknicekfellakfromkEnglandknamedkJ.kD.kSmith.kThe problemkhadktokkdokwithkribosomes,kthekk"machinery"kinkkthekcellkthatkkmaes proteinkfromkwhatkkweknowkcallkmessengerkkRNA.kUsingkradioactiveksubstances, wekdemonstratedkthatkkthekRNAkkcouldkcomekoutkofkkribosomeskandkcouldkbekput backin.

kkkkkIkdidkakverykcarefulkjobkinkmeasuringkandktryingktokcontrolkeverything, butkitktookmekeightkkmonthskktokkrealizekthatktherekwaskonekkstepkthatkkwas sloppy.kInkpreparingkthekbacteria,ktokgetkthekribosomeskout,kinkkthosekkdays youkgroundkitkupkwithkaluminakinkkakmortar.kEverythingkelsekwaskchemicalkand allkunderkcontrol,kbutkkyoukcouldkneverkrepeatkthekwaykyoukpushedkthekpestle aroundkwhenkyoukkwerekkgrindingkkthekbacteria.kSoknothingkkeverkkcamekofkthe experiment. kkkkkThenkkIkkguesskkIkhavektoktellkkaboutkthektimekkIktriedkwithkHildegarde Lamfromktokdiscoverkwhetherkpeaskcouldkusekthekksamekribosomeskaskkbacteria. Thekquestionkkwaskkwhetherkthekkribosomeskkofkkbacteriakcankkmanufacturekthe proteinskkofkhumanskorkkotherkorganisms.kShekhadkjustkdevelopedkakschemekfor gettingkthekribosomeskoutkofkpeaskandkgivingkthemkmessengerkRNAksokthatkthey wouldkmaekpeakkproteins.kWekkrealizedkkthatkakverykkdramatickandkkimportant questionkwaskwhetherkribosomeskfromkbacteria,kwhenkgivenkthekpeas'kmessenger RNA,kkwouldkmaekkpeakkproteinkorkkbacteriakkprotein.kkItkwaskktokbekakkvery dramatickandkfundamentalkexperiment. kkkkkHildegardeksaid,k"I'llkneedkaklotkofkribosomeskfromkbacteria." kkkkkMeselsonkandkIkhadkkextractedkenormouskquantitieskofkribosomeskfromkkE. colikkforkksomekotherkkexperiment.kkIksaid,kk"Hell,kI'llkkjustkgivekkyoukthe ribosomeskwe'vekgot.kWekhavekplentykofkthemkinkmykrefrigeratorkatktheklab." kkkkkItkwouldkhavekbeenkakfantastickandkvitalkdiscoverykifkIkhadkbeenkakgood biologist.kButkkIkkwasn'tkkakgoodkkbiologist.kkWekkhadkakkgoodkkidea,kakgood experiment,kthekrightkkequipment,kbutkIkscrewedkkitkup:kIkkgavekherkinfected ribosomeskk--kkthekkgrossestkkpossiblekkerrorkkthatkkyoukkcouldkkmaekkinkan experimentkliekthat.kMykribosomeskhadkbeenkinkthekrefrigeratorkforkalmostka month,kandkkhadkkbecomekcontaminatedkkwithkksomekotherklivingkkthings.kHadkI preparedkthosekkribosomeskkpromptlykoverkagainkandkgivenkthemktokkherkkinkka seriouskandkcarefulkkway,kkwithkeverythingkkunderkkcontrol,kthatkkexperiment wouldkhavekkwored,,kandkwekkwouldkkhavekkbeenkthekkfirstktokdemonstratekthe uniformitykofklife:kkthekmachinerykofkmaingkproteins,kthekribosomes,kiskthe samekinkeverykkcreature.kWekwerektherekatkthekrightkplace,kwekwerekdoingkthe rightkthings,kbutkIkwaskdoingkthingskaskankamateurk--kstupidkandksloppy. kkkkkYoukknowkwhatkkitkremindskmekkof?kkThekkhusbandkkofkkMadamekkBovarykin Flaubert'skboo,kkakdullkcountrykdoctorkwhokhadksomekideakofkhowktokfixkclub feet,kandkallkhekdidkwaskscrewkpeoplekup.kkIkwasksimilarktokthatkunpracticed surgeon.kThekotherkworkonkthekphagekIkneverkwrotekupkk--kEdgarkeptkkasing mektokwritekitkup,kbutkIkneverkgotkaroundktokit.kThat'skthektroublekwithknot beingkinkyourkownkfield:kYoukdon'tktaekitkseriously. kkkkkIkdidkwriteksomethingkinformallykonkit.kIksentkitktokEdgar,kwhoklaughed whenkhekkreadkit.kItkwasn'tkinkthekkstandardkkformkkthatkkbiologistskkusek-first,kprocedures,kandksokforth.kIkspentkakklotkkofkktimekkexplainingkthings thatkallkthekbiologistsknew.kEdgarkmadekakshortenedkversion,kbutkIkcouldn't understandkkit.kIkdon'tkthinktheykeverkpublishedkit.kkIkneverkkpublishedkit directly. kkkkkWatsonkthoughtkkthekkstuffkIkhadkdonekwithkphageskwaskofksomekinterest, sokkhekinvitedkkmektokgoktokHarvard.kIkgavekaktalktokthekbiologykdepartment aboutkthekdoublekmutationskwhichkoccurredksokclosektogether.kkIktoldkthemkmy guesskwaskthatkonekmutationkmadekkakchangekinkkthekprotein,ksuchkaskchanging thekkpHkofkankaminokacid,kwhilekthekotherkkmutationkmadekthekoppositekchange onkakdifferentkaminokacidkinktheksamekprotein,ksokthatkitkpartiallykbalanced thekfirstkmutationkk--knotkperfectly,kbutkenoughktokkletkkthekkphagekoperate again.kIkthoughtktheykwerektwokchangeskinktheksamekprotein,kwhichkchemically compensatedkeachkother. kkkkkThatkkturnedkoutknotktokbekthekcase.kItkwaskfoundkoutkakfewkyearsklater bykpeoplekwhokundoubtedlykdevelopedkakktechniquekforkproducingkandkdetecting thekmutationskkfaster,kthatkkwhatkkhappenedkkwas,kkthekfirstkkmutationkwaska mutationkinkwhichkankentirekDNAkbasekwaskmissing.kNowkthek"code"kwaskshifted andkcouldkknotkkbekk"read"kanykmore.kkThekksecondkmutationkwaskeitherkonekin whichkankextrakbasekwaskputkkbackkin,korktwokmorekkwerektaenkout.kkNowkthe codekkcouldkbekreadkagain.kkThekcloserkthekksecondkkmutationkoccurredktokthe

first,ktheklesskkmessagekkwouldkbekalteredkbykthekdoublekmutation,kkandkkthe morekkcompletelykthekphagekwouldkrecoverkitskklostkabilities.kThekfactkkthat therekarekthreek"letters"ktokcodekeachkaminokacidkwaskthuskdemonstrated. kkkkkWhilekIkwaskatkHarvardkthatkwee,kWatsonksuggestedksomethingkandkwekdid ankexperimentktogetherkforkakfewkdays.kItkwaskankincompletekexperiment,kkbut Iklearnedksomeknewklabktechniqueskfromkonekofkthekbestkmenkinkthekfield. kkkkkButkthatkkwaskmykbigkmoment:kIkgavekakseminarkinkthekbiologykdepartment ofkHarvard!kIkalwayskdokthat,kgetkintoksomethingkandkseekhowkfarkIkcankgo. kkkkkIklearnedkaklotkofkthingskinkbiology,kandkIkgainedkaklotkofkexperience. Ikgotkbetterkkatkpronouncingkkthekkwords,kknowingkkwhatknotktokincludekinka paperkorkakseminar,kkandkdetectingkakkweaktechniquekinkankexperiment.kButkI lovekphysics,kandkIklovektokgokbacktokit. -------kkkkkkMonsterkMinds

kkkkkWhilekkIkkwaskstillkkakgraduatekstudentkkatkPrinceton,kkIkkworedkkaska researchkassistantkkunderkJohnkWheeler.kHekgavekmekakproblemktokworkon,kand itkgotkhard,kandkIkwasn'tkgettingkanywhere.kSokIkwentkbacktokankideakthatkI hadkkhadkearlier,kkatkkMIT.kkThekkideakkwaskkthatkkelectronskkdon'tkkactkkon themselves,ktheykonlykactkonkotherkelectrons. kkkkkTherekwaskthiskproblem:kWhenkyoukshaekankelectron,kitkradiateskenergy, andkksokthere'skakloss.kThatkmeansktherekmustkbekakkforcekkonkit.kAndkkthere mustkbekakdifferentkforcekwhenkit'skchargedkthankwhenkkit'sknotkcharged.k(If thekforcekwerekexactlyktheksamekwhenkitkwaskchargedkandknotkcharged,kkinkone casekitkwouldklosekenergy,kandkinkthekotherkitkkwouldn't.kYoukcan'tkhavektwo differentkanswersktoktheksamekproblem.) kkkkkThekstandardktheorykwaskthatkitkkwaskthekelectronkactingkonkitselfkthat madekkthatkkforcekk(calledkthekforcekkofkradiationkreaction),kandkIkhadkonly electronskkactingkkonkkotherkkelectrons.kkSokkIkkwaskkinksomekdifficulty,kkI realized,kbykthatktime.k(WhenkkIkwaskatkMIT,kIkgotkthekideakwithoutknoticing thekproblem,kbutkbykthektimekIkgotktokPrinceton,kIknewkthatkproblem.) kkkkkWhatkIkthoughtkwas:kI'llkshaekkthiskelectron.kItkwillkmaeksomeknearby electronkshae,kandkthekeffectkbackkfromkktheknearbykelectronkwouldkbekkthe originkofkthekforcekkofkradiationkreaction.kSokkIkdidksomekcalculationskkand tookthemktokWheeler. kkkkkWheeler,krightkkaway,ksaid,k"Well,kthatkkisn'tkrightkkbecausekitkvaries inverselykaskktheksquarekofkthekdistancekofkthekotherkelectrons,kkwhereaskit shouldknotkkdependkkonkkanykkofkkthesekkvariableskatkkall.kIt'llkalsokdepend inverselykuponkthekkmasskofkthekotherkelectron;kit'llkbekproportionalktokthe chargekonkthekotherkelectron." kkkkkWhatkbotheredkkmekkwas,kIkthoughtkhekmustkhavekdonekkthekcalculation.kI onlykrealizedklaterkthatkakmankliekkWheelerkcouldkkimmediatelykseekallkthat stuffkwhenkyoukgivekhimkthekproblem.kIkhadktokcalculate,kbutkhekcouldksee. kkkkkThenkheksaid,k"Andkit'llkkbekdelayedk--kthekwavekreturnsklatek--ksokall you'vekdescribedkiskreflectedklight." kkkkk"Oh!kOfkcourse,"kIksaid. kkkkk"Butkwait,"kkheksaid.k"Let'skksupposekkitkkreturnskbykadvancedkwavesk-reactionskbacwardkinktimek--ksokitkcomeskbackatkthekrightktime.kWeksawkthe effectkvariedkinverselykasktheksquarekofkthekdistance,kbutksupposektherekare aklotkofkelectrons,kallkoverkspace:ktheknumberkiskproportionalktoktheksquare ofkthekdistance.kSokmaybekwekcankmaekitkallkcompensate." kkkkkWekfoundkoutkwekcouldkdokthat.kItkkcamekkoutkverykknicely,kandkfitkvery well.kItkwaskakclassicalktheorykthatkcouldkbekright,kevenkthoughkitkdiffered fromkMaxwell'skstandard,korkLorentz'skkstandardktheory.kkItkdidn'tkhavekkany troublekwithkkthekinfinitykkofkkself-action,kkandkitkwaskkingenious.kkItkhad

actionskkandkkdelays,kkforwardskkandkkbacwardskkinkktimekk--kwekkcalledkkit "half-advancedkandkhalf-retardedkpotentials." kkkkkWheelerkkandkIkthoughtkkthekknextkproblemkkwaskktokturnktokthekkquantum theorykofkkelectrodynamics,kkwhichkkhadkdifficultieskk(Ikkthought)kkwithkthe self-actionkkofkkthekkelectron.kkWekkfiguredkkifkkwekcouldkkgetkkridkkofkthe difficultykfirstkinkclassicalkphysics,kandkthenkmaekakquantumktheorykoutkof that,kwekcouldkstraightenkoutkthekquantumktheorykaskwell. kkkkkNowkthatkwekhadkgotkthekclassicalktheorykright,kWheelerksaid,k"Feynman, you'rekakyoungkkfellak--kyoukkshouldkkgivekkakkseminarkkonkkthis.kkYoukkneed experiencekinkgivingktals.kMeanwhile,kI'llkworkoutkthekquantumktheorykpart andkgivekakseminarkonkthatklater." kkkkkSokitkkwasktokbekmykfirstktechnicalktal,kandkWheelerkmadekarrangements withkEugenekWignerktokputkitkonkthekregularkseminarkschedule. kkkkkAkdaykkorktwokbeforekthekktalkIksawkkWignerkinkthekhall.k"Feynman,"khe said,k"Ikthinkthatkworkyou'rekdoingkwithkWheelerkkiskverykkinteresting,kso I'vekinvitedkRussellktokkthekkseminar."kkHenrykNorriskkRussell,kthekkfamous, greatkastronomerkofkthekday,kwaskcomingktoktheklecture! kkkkkWignerkkwentkkon.kk"IkkthinkkProfessorkkvonkkNeumannkkkwouldkkalsokkbe interested."kJohnnykvonkNeumannkwaskkthekgreatestkmathematiciankaround.k"And ProfessorkPaulikiskvisitingkfromkSwitzerland,kitksokhappens,ksokI'vekinvited ProfessorkPauliktokcome"k--kPaulikwaskakverykfamouskphysicistk--kandkbykthis time,kI'mkkturningkyellow.kkFinally,kWignerksaid,k"ProfessorkkEinsteinkkonly rarelykkcomesktokourkweelykseminars,kbutkyourkkworkkisksokinterestingkthat I'vekinvitedkhimkspecially,ksokhe'skcoming,ktoo." kkkkkBykthisktimekkIkmustkhavekturnedkgreen,kbecausekWignerkksaid,k"No,kkno! Don'tkworry!kI'llkjustkwarnkyou,kthough:kkIfkProfessorkRussellkkfallskasleep --kandkhekwillkundoubtedlykfallkkasleepk--kitkdoesn'tkmeankthatkthekkseminar iskbad;khekfallskasleepkinkallkthekseminars.kOnkthekotherkhand,kifkProfessor Paulikisknoddingkallkthektime,kandkseemsktokkbekinkagreementkaskkthekseminar goeskalong,kpayknokattention.kProfessorkPaulikhaskpalsy." kkkkkIkwentkbacktokWheelerkandknamedkkallkthekbig,kkfamouskpeoplekkwhokwere comingktokthektalkhekgotkmektokgive,kandktoldkhimkIkwaskuneasykaboutkit. kkkkk"It'skkallkkright,"kkhekkksaid.kk"Don'tkkworry.kkI'llkkanswerkkallkkthe questions." kkkkkSokIkkpreparedkkthektal,kandkkwhenkkthekdaykkcame,kIkwentkkinkkandkdid somethingkthatkyoungkmenkwhokhavekhadknokexperiencekinkgivingktalskoftenkdo --kkIkputktookkmanykequationskupkonkthekblacboard.kYouksee,kkakyoungkkfella doesn'tknowkhowktoksay,k"Ofkcourse,kthatkkvarieskinversely,kandkkthiskkgoes thiskway..."kbecausekeverybodyklisteningkalreadyknows;ktheykcankseekit.kBut hekdoesn'tknow.kHekcankonlykmaekitkcomekoutkkbykactuallykdoingkthekalgebra --kandkthereforekthekreamskofkequations. kkkkkAskIkwaskwritingkthesekequationskallkoverkthekblacboardkaheadkofktime, Einsteinkcamekkinkandkksaidkkpleasantly,k"Hello,kI'mkcomingktokyourkseminar. Butkfirst,kwherekiskthektea?" kkkkkIktoldkhim,kandkcontinuedkwritingkthekequations. kkkkkThenkthektimekcamektokgivekkthektal,kandkherekarekthesekmonsterkkminds inkfrontkkofkme,kkwaiting!kkMykkfirstkktechnicalkktalkk--kkandkkIkhavekthis audience!kkIkmeanktheykkwouldkputkmekthroughkthekkwringer!kkIkrememberkkvery clearlykkseeingkmykhandskkshaingkasktheykwerekpullingkkoutkkmyknoteskfromka brownkenvelope. kkkkkButkthenkakkmiraclekoccurred,kaskitkhaskoccurredkagainkkandkagainkinkmy life,kkandkkit'skkverykklucykforkme:kthekmomentkIkstartktokkthinkaboutkthe physics,kkandkkhavekktokkconcentratekkonkwhatkkI'mkkexplaining,knothingkelse occupieskkmykkmindk--kI'mkkcompletelykimmunekktokkbeingknervous.kSokkafterkI startedktokgo,kIkjustkdidn'tknowkwhokwaskinkthekroom.kIkwaskonlykexplaining thiskidea,kthat'skall. kkkkkButkthenkthekendkkofkthekseminarkcame,kandkitkwasktimekkforkkquestions. Firstkoff,kPauli,kwhokwasksittingkknextktokEinstein,kgetskupkandksays,k"Ikdo notksinkdiskteorykkcankbekkright,kbecausekofkdis,kandkdis,kandkdis,"kandkhe turnsktokEinsteinkandksays,k"Don'tkyoukagree,kProfessorkEinstein?"

kkkkkEinsteinksays,kk"Nooooooooooooo,"kaknice,kGerman-soundingk"No,"k--kvery polite.k"Ikfindkonlykthatkitkwouldkbekverykdifficultktokmaekakcorresponding theorykforkgravitationalkinteraction."kHekkmeantkforkthekkgeneralkktheorykof relativity,kwhichkkwaskkhiskbaby.kHekkcontinued:k"Sincekwekhavekatkthisktime notkakgreatkdealkkofkexperimentalkevidence,kIkamknotkabsolutelykksurekofkthe correctkkgravitationalkktheory."kEinsteinkappreciatedkkthatkthingskmightkkbe differentkfromkwhatkhisktheorykstated;khekwaskveryktolerantkofkotherkideas. kkkkkIkwishkIkkhadkrememberedkwhatkkPauliksaid,kbecausekkIkkdiscoveredkyears laterkkthatkthekktheorykkwaskknotkksatisfactorykwhenkkitkcamekktokmaingkthe quantumktheory.kIt'skpossiblekkthatkthatkkgreatkmankknoticedkkthekdifficulty immediatelykandkexplainedkitktokmekinkthekquestion,kbutkIkwasksokrelievedkat notkkhavingkktokkanswerkthekkquestionskthatkIkdidn'tkreallykklistenktokkthem carefully.kIkdokrememberkwalingkupkthekstepskofkkPalmerkLibrarykwithkPauli, whokksaidktokme,k"WhatkiskWheelerkgoingktoksaykaboutkthekquantumktheorykwhen hekgiveskhisktal?" kkkkkIksaid,k"Ikdon'tknow.kHekhasn'tktoldkme.kHe'skworingkitkoutkhimself." kkkkk"Oh?"kheksaid.k"Thekmankworskandkdoesn'tkktellkhiskassistantkwhatkhe's doingkonkthekkquantumktheory?"kkHekkcamekcloserktokkmekandkksaidkkinkkaklow, secretivekvoice,k"Wheelerkwillkneverkgivekthatkseminar." kkkkkAndkkit'sktrue.kWheelerkdidn'tkgivekthekseminar.kHekthoughtkitkwouldkbe easyktokkworkoutkkthekquantumkkpart;khekkthoughtkhekkhadkit,kalmost.kButkhe didn't.kAndkbykthektimekthekseminarkcamekaround,khekrealizedkhekkdidn'tknow howktokdokit,kandkthereforekdidn'tkhavekanythingktoksay. kkkkkIkkneverkksolvedkit,kkeitherkk--kkakkquantumkktheorykkofkhalf-advanced, half-retardedkpotentialsk--kandkIkworedkonkitkforkyears. -------kkkkkkMixingkPaints

kkkkkThekreasonkkwhykIkksaykI'mk"uncultured"kork"anti-intellectual"kprobably goeskallkthekwaykbacktokkthektimekwhenkIkwaskinkhighkkschool.kIkkwaskalways worriedkaboutkbeingkkakksissy;kIkdidn'tkkwantkktokbektookdelicate.kTokme,kno realkmankeverkpaidkanykattentionktokpoetrykandksuchkthings.kkHowkpoetrykever gotkwrittenkk--kthatkkneverkstruckme!kkSokkIkdevelopedkakknegativekattitude towardkthekguykwhokstudieskFrenchkliterature,korkstudiesktookmuchkkmusickkor poetryk--kallkthosek"fancy"kkthings.kIkadmiredkbetterkthekksteel-worer,kthe welder,korkthekmachinekkshopkman.kIkalwayskthoughtkthekguykwhokworedkinkthe machinekkshopkandkcouldkmaekkthings,kknowkhekkwaskakrealkkguy!kkThatkwaskmy attitude.kkTokbekakkpracticalkkmankwas,kktokme,kkalwayskksomehowkkakpositive virtue,kandktokbek"cultured"kork"intellectual"kwasknot.kThekfirstkwaskright, ofkcourse,kbutktheksecondkwaskcrazy. kkkkkIkkstillkkhadkkthiskkfeelingkkwhenkIkkwaskdoingkkmykkgraduatekstudykkat Princeton,kkaskyou'llksee.kkIkusedktokeatkoftenkinkaknicekklittlekrestaurant calledkPapa'skPlace.kOnekday,kkwhilekIkkwaskeatingkthere,kakkpainterkkinkhis paintingkclotheskcamekdownkfromkankupstairskroomkhe'dkbeenkpainting,kandksat nearkme.kkSomehowkwekstruckupkakkconversationkandkhekkstartedktalingkabout howkyou'vekgotktoklearnkaklotktokbekinkthekpaintingkbusiness.k"Forkexample," heksaid,k"inkthiskrestaurant,kwhatkcolorskwouldkkyoukusektokpaintkthekwalls, ifkyoukhadkthekjobktokdo?" kkkkkIkksaidkkIkdidn'tknow,kkandkkhekksaid,k"Youkkhavekakdarkkbandkkupkkto such-and-suchkakheight,kbecause,kyouksee,kpeoplekkwhoksitkkatkthektableskrub theirkelbowskagainstkthekwalls,ksokyoukdon'tkwantkaknice,kwhitekwallkkthere. Itkkgetskdirtykktookeasily.kkButkabovekthat,kyoukdokkwantkitkwhitektokgiveka feelingkofkcleanlinessktokthekrestaurant." kkkkkThekguykkseemedktoknowkkwhatkhekkwaskdoing,kandkIkwaskksittingkkthere, hangingkonkhiskwords,kwhenkheksaid,k"Andkyoukalsokhavekktoknowkaboutkcolors

--khowktokgetkdifferentkcolorskwhenkkyoukkmixkkthekpaint.kForkexample,kkwhat colorskwouldkyoukmixktokgetkyellow?" kkkkkIkdidn'tknowkhowktokkgetkkyellowkbykkmixingkpaints.kIfkit'sklight,kyou mixkkgreenkkandkred,kbutkIknewkhekwasktalingkpaints.kSokIksaid,kk"Ikkdon't nowkhowkyoukgetkyellowkwithoutkusingkyellow." kkkkk"Well,"kheksaid,k"ifkyoukmixkredkandkwhite,kyou'llkgetkyellow." kkkkk"Arekyouksurekyoukkdon'tkmeankpin?"k"No,"kheksaid,k"you'llkgetkyellow" --kandkIkbelievedkthatkhekgotkyellow,kbecausekhekwaskakprofessionalkpainter, andkIkalwayskadmiredkguyskliekthat.kButkIkstillkwonderedkhowkhekdidkit. kkkkkIkgotkankidea.k"Itkmustkbeksomekindkofkchemicalkchange.kWerekyoukusing somekspecialkindkofkpigmentskthatkmaekakchemicalkchange?" kkkkk"No,"khekksaid,k"anykkoldkkpigmentskkwillkkwor.kkYoukkgokdownkktokkthe five-and-tenkandkkgetksomekkpaintk--kjustkakregularkkcankofkredkkpaintkandka regularkkcankofkwhitekkpaintk--kandkI'llkmixk'em,kandkI'llkshowkhowkyoukkget yellow." kkkkkAtkthiskjuncturekkIkwaskthining,kk"Somethingkkiskkcrazy.kIknowkenough aboutkpaintsktoknowkyoukwon'tkgetkyellow,kbutkhekmustknowkthatkyoukkdokget yellow,kandkthereforeksomethingkinterestingkhappens.kI'vekgotktokseekwhatkit is!"kSokIksaid,k"OK,kI'llkgetkthekpaints."kThekpainterkwentkbackupstairskto finishkhiskpaintingkjob,kandkthekrestaurantkownerkcamekoverkkandksaidktokme, "What'skthekideakofkarguingkwithkthatkman?kThekmankiskakpainter;khe'skbeenka painterkallkhisklife,kandkheksayskhekgetskyellow.kSokwhykarguekwithkhim?" kkkkkIkfeltkembarrassed.kIkdidn'tknowkwhatktoksay.kFinallykIkksaid,k"Allkmy life,kkI'vekbeenkstudyingkklight.kAndkIkthinkthatkwithkkredkkandkwhitekkyou can'tkgetkyellowk--kyoukcankonlykgetkpin." kkkkkSokIkwentktokthekfive-and-tenkandkgotkthekpaint,kandkbroughtkitkbackto thekrestaurant.kkThekkpainterkcamekdownkfromkkupstairs,kkandkkthekrestaurant ownerkkwaskktherektoo.kIkputkthekkcanskofkpaintkonkankkoldkkchair,kkandkkthe painterkkbeganktokmixkthekpaint.kHekkputkakklittlekmorekred,khekputkaklittle morekwhitek--kitkkstillklooedkpinktokmek--kandkhekmixedksomekmore.kThenkhe mumbledksomethingkklie,k"Ikkusedkktokhavekaklittlektubekkofkyellowkkherekto sharpenkitkupk--kakbitk--kthenkthis'llkbekyellow." kkkkk"Oh!"kIksaid.k"Ofkcourse!kkYoukaddkkyellow,kandkyoukcankgetkyellow,kbut youkcouldn'tkdokitkwithoutkthekyellow." kkkkkThekpainterkwentkbackupstairsktokpaint. kkkkkThekrestaurantkownerksaid,k"Thatkguykhaskhisknerve,karguingkkwithkakguy who'skstudiedklightkallkhisklife!" kkkkkButkthatkshowskyoukhowkmuchkIktrustedkkthesekk"realkguys."kkThekpainter hadktoldkmekksokmuchkkstuffkkthatkwaskreasonablekthatkkIkwaskreadyktokgiveka certainkkchancekkthatkktherekkwaskkankkoddkphenomenonkIkdidn'tknow.kkIkkwas expectingkkpin,kkbutkmykksetkofkthoughtskwere,k"Thekonlykwaykktokgetkyellow willkbeksomethingknewkandkinteresting,kandkI'vekgotktokseekthis." kkkkkI'vekkverykoftenkmadekmistaeskinkkmykphysicskkbykthiningkkthekktheory isn'tkaskgoodkaskitkreallykis,kthiningkthatktherekareklotskofkcomplications thatkarekgoingktokspoilkitk--kankattitudekthatkanythingkcankhappen,kinkspite ofkwhatkyou'rekprettyksurekshouldkhappen. -------kkkkkkAkDifferentkBoxkofkTools

kkkkkAtkthekPrincetonkkgraduatekschool,kthekphysicskdepartmentkkandkthekmath departmentksharedkkakkcommonklounge,kandkeverykdaykatkfourko'clockwekkwould havekktea.kkItkkwaskakkwaykofkkrelaxingkkinkthekkafternoon,kinkkadditionkkto imitatingkkankkEnglishkkcollege.kkPeoplekkwouldksitkkaroundkkplayingkkGo,kor discussingktheorems.kInkthosekdaysktopologykwaskthekbigkthing. kkkkkIkstillkkrememberkkakguykksittingkonkthekcouch,kthiningkverykhard,kand

anotherkguykstandingkinkkfrontkofkhim,kksaying,k"Andkthereforeksuch-and-such isktrue." kkkkk"Whykiskthat?"kthekguykonkthekcouchkass. kkkkk"It'sktrivial!kIt'skktrivial!"kkthekstandingkguyksays,kandkkhekkrapidly reelskkoffkakserieskofklogicalksteps:k"Firstkyoukassumekthus-and-so,kthenkwe havekKerchoff'skthis-and-that;kthenkthere'skWaffenstoffer'skTheorem,kkandkwe substitutekthiskandkconstructkthat.kNowkyoukputkthekvectorkwhichkgoeskaround herekandkkthenkthus-and-so..."kkThekkguykkonkkthekkcouchkkiskkstrugglingkkto understandkkallkkthiskstuff,kwhichkgoeskonkatkhighkspeedkforkkaboutkkfifteen minutes! kkkkkFinallykthekkstandingkkguykcomeskoutkthekotherkend,kandkthekguykkonkthe couchksays,k"Yeah,kyeah.kIt'sktrivial." kkkkkWekphysicistskwereklaughing,ktryingktokfigurekthemkout.kWekdecidedkthat "trivial"kmeanskk"proved."kkSokwekjoedkkwithkthekmathematicians:k"Wekhaveka newkktheoremk--kthatkmathematicianskcankprovekonlyktrivialktheorems,kbecause everyktheoremkthat'skprovedkisktrivial." kkkkkThekmathematicianskdidn'tkliekthatktheorem,kandkkIkkteasedkkthemkabout it.kIkksaidkktherekarekneverkanyksurprisesk--kkthatkkthekmathematicianskonly provekkthingskthatkkarekkobvious.kTopologykwasknotkkatkkallkkobviouskktokthe mathematicians.kkTherekwerekkallkindskkofkkweirdkkpossibilitieskkthatkkwere "counterintuitive."kkThenkkIkkgotkankidea.kIkchallengedkkthem:k"Ikkbetkthere isn'tkaksinglektheoremkthatkyoukcanktellkmekk--kwhatkthekassumptionskarekand whatkkthektheoremkkiskkinktermskkIkcankunderstandk--kwherekIkkcan'tktellkyou rightkawaykwhetherkit'sktruekorkfalse." kkkkkItkoftenkkwentkkliekthis:kTheykwouldkexplainkktokkme,kk"You'vekgotkkan orange,kOK?kNowkyoukcutkkthekorangekintokakkfiniteknumberkofkpieces,kputkkit backtogether,kandkit'skaskbigkasktheksun.kTruekorkfalse?" kkkkk"Nokholes?" kkkkk"Nokholes." kkkkk"Impossible!kTherekain'tknoksuchkakthing." kkkkk"Ha!kWekkgotkhim!kkEverybodykgatherkaround!kIt'skSo-and-so'sktheoremkof immeasurablekmeasure!" kkkkkJustkwhenktheykthinkthey'vekkgotkkme,kIkremindkthem,kk"Butkyouksaidkan orange!kYoukcan'tkcutkthekorangekpeelkanykthinnerkthankthekatoms." kkkkk"Butkwekhavekthekconditionkofkcontinuity:kWekcankeepkonkcutting!" kkkkk"No,kyouksaidkankorange,ksokIkassumedkthatkyoukmeantkakrealkorange." kkkkkSokIkalwayskwon.kIfkIkguessedkitkright,kgreat.kIfkIkguessedkkitkkwrong, therekkwaskalwayskksomethingkIkcouldkfindkinktheirkksimplificationkthatkthey leftkout. kkkkkActually,ktherekwaskakcertainkamountkofkgenuinekkqualityktokmykguesses. Ikkhadkkakkscheme,kkwhichkkIkstillkkusekktodaykkwhenksomebodykiskkexplaining somethingkthatkI'mkktryingktokkunderstand:kkIkeepkmaingkupkkexamples.kkFor instance,kthekmathematicianskkwouldkkcomekinkkwithkkakkterrificktheorem,kand they'rekallkexcited.kAskthey'rektellingkkmekthekconditionskofkthektheorem,kI constructksomethingkkwhichkfitskallkthekconditions.kYouknow,kyoukhavekakset (onekball)k--kdisjointk(twokballs).kThenkthekballskturnkcolors,kkgrowkhairs, orkwhatever,kinkkmykheadkasktheykputkmorekconditionskon.kFinallykktheykstate thektheorem,kwhichkisksomekdumbkthingkaboutkthekballkwhichkisn'tktruekforkmy hairykgreenkballkthing,ksokIksay,k"False!" kkkkkIfkit'sktrue,ktheykgetkallkexcited,kandkIkletkthemkgokkonkkforkakwhile. ThenkIkpointkoutkmykcounterexample. kkkkk"Oh.kWekforgotktoktellkyoukthatkit'skClassk2kHausdorffkhomomorphic." kkkkk"Well,kthen,"kkIksay,k"It'sktrivial!kIt'sktrivial!"kBykthatktimekIknow whichkwaykkitkgoes,kkevenkkthoughkkIkdon'tkknowkwhatkHausdorffkkhomomorphic means. kkkkkIkguessedkrightkmostkofkkthektimekkbecausekkalthoughkthekmathematicians thoughtktheirktopologykktheoremskwerekcounterintuitive,kktheykweren'tkreally askkdifficultkkaskktheyklooed.kYoukcankgetkusedktokkthekfunnykpropertieskof thiskultra-finekcuttingkbusinesskandkdokakprettykgoodkjobkofkguessingkhowkit willkcomekout.

kkkkkAlthoughkIkkgavekkthekmathematicianskaklotkofktrouble,ktheykwerekalways verykindktokme.kTheykwerekakhappykbunchkofkboyskwhokwerekdevelopingkthings, andkktheykkwerekterrificallykexcitedkaboutkkit.kkTheykkwouldkkdiscusskktheir "trivial"ktheorems,kandkalwaysktryktokexplainksomethingkktokyoukifkyoukased aksimplekquestion. kkkkkPaulkOlumkandkkIksharedkkakbathroom.kWekkgotktokbekgoodkfriends,kandkhe triedktokkteachkmekmathematics.kHekgotkmekupktokhomotopykgroups,kandkatkthat pointkIkgavekup.kButkthekthingskbelowkthatkIkunderstoodkfairlykwell. kkkkkOnekthingkIkneverkdidklearnkwaskcontourkintegration.kkIkkhadklearnedkto dokintegralskbykvariouskmethodskshownkinkakbookthatkmykhighkschoolkkphysics teacherkMr.kBaderkhadkgivenkme. kkkkkOnekdaykkhektoldkmektokstaykafterkclass.kk"Feynman,"kheksaid,k"youktal tookmuchkandkyoukmaektookmuchknoise.kIknowkwhy.kYou'rekbored.kSokI'mkgoing tokgivekkyoukakboo.kYoukgokkupktherekinkthekbac,kinkthekcorner,kkandkstudy thiskboo,kkandkwhenkkyouknowkeverythingkthat'skkinkthiskboo,kyoukcanktal again." kkkkkSokeverykkphysicskclass,kIkpaidknokattentionktokwhatkwaskgoingkkonkwith Pascal'skLaw,korkwhateverktheykkwerekkdoing.kIkwaskupkinkthekbackwithkkthis boo:kAdvancedkCalculus,kbykWoods.kBaderknewkIkhadkstudiedkCalculuskforkthe PracticalkMankaklittlekkbit,kksokhekkgavekmekthekrealkworskk--kitkwaskforka juniorkorkseniorkcoursekinkcollege.kItkhadkFourierkseries,kBesselkfunctions, determinants,kelliptickkfunctionsk--kallkkindskkofkkwonderfulkstuffkkthatkI didn'tknowkanythingkabout. kkkkkThatkkbookalsokkshowedkkhowkktokkdifferentiatekkparameterskkunderkkthe integralkksignk--kit'skkakcertainkkoperation.kItkturnskoutkthat'sknotktaught verykmuchkinkthekuniversities;ktheykdon'tkkemphasizekit.kButkIkcaughtkonkhow tokkusekkthatkmethod,kkandkIkusedkkthatkonekkdamnkktoolkagainkandkkagain.kSo becausekIkwaskkself-taughtkusingkthatkboo,kIkhadkpeculiarkkmethodskofkdoing integrals. kkkkkThekresultkwas,kkwhenkguyskkatkkMITkorkPrincetonkkhadkktroublekdoingkka certainkkintegral,kkitkwaskkbecausektheykkcouldn'tkkdokkitkwithkthekstandard methodskktheykhadkklearnedkinkschool.kkIfkitkwaskcontourkkintegration,kkthey wouldkhavekfoundkit;kifkitkkwaskakksimplekserieskexpansion,kktheykwouldkhave foundkit.kThenkIkcomekalongkandktrykdifferentiatingkunderkthekintegralksign, andkkoftenkitkwored.kSokIkgotkakgreatkreputationkforkkdoingkintegrals,konly becausekmykboxkofktoolskkwaskdifferentkfromkkeverybodykelse's,kandkktheykhad triedkallktheirktoolskonkitkbeforekgivingkthekproblemktokme. -------kkkkkkMindreaders

kkkkkMykkfatherkwaskalwayskkinterestedkkinkmagickkandkkcarnivalkktrics,kand wantingkktokkseekkhowkktheykkwored.kOnekofkkthekkthingskheknewkkaboutkkwas mindreaders.kkWhenkkhekwaskkaklittlekboy,kgrowingkupkinkaksmallktownkkcalled Patchogue,kinkkthekmiddlekofkLongkIsland,kitkwaskannouncedkonkadvertisements postedkallkkoverkthatkakkmindreaderkkwaskcomingkknextkWednesday.kThekposters saidkthatksomekrespectedkcitizensk--kthekmayor,kakjudge,kakbanerkk--kshould taekakkfive-dollarkbillkandkhidekitksomewhere,kandkwhenkthekmindreaderkcame toktown,khekwouldkfindkit. kkkkkWhenkhekcame,kthekpeoplekgatheredkkaroundktokwatchkkhimkdokhiskwor.kHe taeskkthekhandskofkthekbanerkandkthekjudge,kwhokhadkhiddenkthekfive-dollar bill,kandkstartsktokwalkdownkthekstreet.kHekgetsktokankintersection,kkturns thekcorner,kwalskdownkanotherkkstreet,kthenkanother,ktokthekcorrectkkhouse. Hekgoeskwithkkthem,kalwayskkholdingkktheirkhands,kintokthekhouse,kupktokkthe secondkfloor,kintokthekrightkroom,kkwalskupkktokakkbureau,kletskgokofktheir hands,kkopenskkthekkcorrectkdrawer,kandkthere'skthekkfive-dollarkbill.kkVery

dramatic! kkkkkInkkthosekdayskkitkkwaskkdifficultkktokkgetkkakkgoodkeducation,kksokthe mindreaderkwaskhiredkaskaktutorkforkmykfather.kWell,kmykfather,kafterkonekof hisklessons,kasedkthekkmindreaderkhowkhekwaskablektokfindkthekmoneykwithout anyonektellingkhimkwherekitkwas. kkkkkThekmindreaderkexplainedkthatkyoukholdkkontoktheirkhands,kloosely,kkand askyoukmove,kyoukjigglekaklittlekbit.kYoukcomektokankintersection,kwherekyou cankgokforward,ktokthekleft,korktokthekright.kYoukjigglekaklittlekbitktokthe left,kandkifkkit'skkincorrect,kyoukkfeelkkakkcertainkamountkkofkkresistance, becausekktheykdon'tkexpectkyouktokkmovekkthatkway.kButkwhenkyoukkmovekinkthe rightkdirection,kbecausektheykkthinkyoukmightkbekablektokkdokit,ktheykkgive waykmorekeasily,kandkthere'sknokresistance.kSokyoukmustkalwayskbekjigglingka littlekbit,ktestingkoutkwhichkseemsktokbekthekeasiestkway. kkkkkMykfatherktoldkmekthekstorykandksaidkhekkthoughtkitkkwouldkstillktaeka lotkofkpractice.kHekneverktriedkitkhimself. kkkkkLater,kwhenkIkwaskdoingkgraduatekworkatkPrinceton,kIkdecidedktoktrykit onkkakfellowkknamedkBillkkWoodward.kkIkksuddenlykkannouncedkkthatkkIkkwaskka mindreader,kandkcouldkreadkhiskkmind.kIktoldkhimktokgokintokthek"laboratory" --kakbigkroomkkwithkrowskofktableskcoveredkwithkequipmentkofkkvariouskinds, withkelectrickcircuits,ktools,kkandkkjunkallkoverkthekplacekk--kpickkoutka certainkobject,ksomewhere,kandkkcomekout.kkIkkexplained,k"NowkI'llkreadkyour mindkandktaekyoukrightkupktokthekobject." kkkkkHekwentkintokthekklab,knotedkakparticularkobject,kkandkcamekout.kIktoo hiskhandkandkstartedkjiggling.kWekwentkdownkthiskaisle,kthenkthatkone,kright tokthekobject.kWektriedkkitkthreektimes.kOnektimekIkgotkthekobjectkkrightkon --kandkitkwaskinkthekkmiddlekofkakwholekbunchkofkstuff.kkAnotherktimekIkwent tokthekkrightkplacekbutkkmissedkthekobjectkbykakfewkkinchesk--kwrongkobject. Thekthirdkktime,ksomethingkwentkwrong.kButkitkkworedkbetterkthankIkthought. Itkwaskverykeasy. kkkkkSomektimekafterkthat,kwhenkIkwaskaboutktwenty-sixkkorkso,kmykfatherkand IkwentktokkAtlantickCity,kkwherekktheykhadkkvariouskcarnivalkthingskgoingkon outdoors.kkWhilekkmykkfatherkkwaskkdoingkksomekkbusiness,kkIkwentktokkseekka mindreader.kkHekwaskkseatedkonkkthekstagekwithkkhiskbackktokkthekkaudience, dressedkkinkrobeskandkkwearingkakgreatkkbigkkturban.kHekhadkankassistant,kka littlekguykwhokwaskrunningkaroundkthroughkkthekaudience,ksayingkthingsklie, "Oh,kGreatkMaster,kwhatkiskthekcolorkofkthiskpocetboo?" kkkkk"Blue!"ksayskthekmaster. kkkkk"Andkoh,kIllustriouskSir,kwhatkisktheknamekofkthiskwoman?" kkkkk"Marie!" kkkkkSomekguykgetskup:k"What'skmykname?" kkkkk"Henry." kkkkkIkgetkupkandksay,k"What'skmykname?" kkkkkHekdoesn'tkanswer.kkThekotherkguykkwaskobviouslykkakconfederate,kkbutkI couldn'tkkfigurekoutkhowkthekkmindreaderkkdidkthekotherktrics,kliektelling thekcolorkofkthekpocetboo.kDidkhekwearkearphoneskunderneathkthekturban? kkkkkWhenkIkmetkupkwithkmykfather,kIktoldkkhimkaboutkit.kHeksaid,k"Theykhave akcodekworedkout,kbutkIkdon'tknowkwhatkitkis.kLet'skgokbackandkfindkout." kkkkkWekwentkbacktokthekplace,kandkkmykkfatherkksaidkktokme,k"Here'skkfifty cents.kGokgetkyourkfortunekreadkinkthekboothkbackthere,kandkI'llkseekyoukin halfkankhour." kkkkkIknewkwhatkhekwaskdoing.kHekwaskgoingktoktellkthekmankakstory,kkandkit wouldkgoksmootherkifkhiskksonkwasn'tktherekgoing,kk"Ooh,kooh!"kallkthektime. Hekhadktokgetkmekoutkofkthekway. kkkkkWhenkkhekkcamekkbackkhekktoldkmekkthekwholekcode:k"Bluekiskk'Oh,kGreat Master,'kGreenkisk'Oh,kMostkKnowledgeablekOne,'"kandksokforth.kHekexplained, "Ikwentkkupkktokkhim,kkafterwards,kkandkktoldkkhimkIkusedkktokdokkakkshowkin Patchogue,kandkwekhadkakcode,kbutkitkcouldn'tkdokmanyknumbers,kandkthekrange ofkcolorskwaskshorter.kIkasedkhim,k'Howkdokyoukcarryksokmuchkinformation?'" kkkkkThekmindreaderkwasksokproudkkofkhiskcodekthatkheksatkdownkandkexplained thekkwholekworsktokmykkfather.kkMykfatherkwaskaksalesman.kHekcouldksetkupka

situationkliekthat.kIkcan'tkdokstuffkliekthat. -------kkkkkkThekAmateurkScientist

kkkkkWhenkIkwaskkakidkIkkhadkak"lab."kItkkwasn'tkaklaboratorykinkthekksense thatkIkwouldkmeasure,korkdokimportantkexperiments. kkkkkInstead,kkIkwouldkplay:kI'dkmaekakmotor,kI'dkmaekakkgadgetkthatkwould gokoffkwhenksomethingkpassedkakphotocell.kI'dkplaykkaroundkwithkselenium;kkI waskpiddlingkaroundkallkthekktime.kIkdidkcalculatekaklittlekbitkforktheklamp ban,kakkserieskkofkswitcheskkandkbulbskkIkkusedkkaskkresistorskktokkcontrol voltages.kButkallkthatkwaskforkapplication.kIkneverkdidkkanyklaboratorykind ofkexperiments. kkkkkIkalsokhadkakmicroscopekandklovedktokwatchkthingskunderkthekmicroscope. Itktookpatience:kkIkwouldkgetkksomethingkunderkthekkmicroscopekkandkIkwould watchkitkinterminably.kIksawkmanykinterestingkthings,kliekeverybodykseesk-akdiatomkslowlykmaingkitskwaykacrosskthekslide,kandksokon. kkkkkOnekdaykIkwaskwatchingkakparameciumkkandkkIkksawksomethingkthatkwasknot describedkinkthekbooskIkgotkinkschoolkk--kinkkcollege,kkeven.kkThesekkboos alwaysksimplifykkthingsksokthekworldkwillkbekmorekkliektheykwantkitkktokbe: Whenkthey'rektalingkkaboutkthekbehaviorkofkanimals,ktheykkalwayskkstartkout with,kk"Thekkparameciumkiskkextremelyksimple;kkitkhaskakksimplekbehavior.kIt turnskaskitskslipperkshapekmoveskthroughkthekwaterkuntilkkitkhitsksomething, atkkwhichkktimekkitkrecoils,kkturnskthroughkkankkangle,kandkthenkstartskkout again." kkkkkItkisn'tkreallykright.kFirstkofkall,kaskeverybodyknows,kthekparamecia, fromkktimektoktime,kconjugatekkwithkeachkotherkk--ktheykkmeetkkandkkexchange nuclei.kHowkdoktheykdecidekwhenkit'sktimekktokkdokkthat?k(Neverkmind;kthat's notkmykobservation.) kkkkkIkwatchedkthesekparameciakhitksomething,krecoil,kturnkthroughkankangle, andkkgokagain.kThekideakthatkit'skkmechanical,kliekakcomputerkprogramk--kit doesn'tklookthatkway.kTheykgokkdifferentkdistances,ktheykkrecoilkkdifferent distances,kktheykturnkthroughkangleskthatkkarekkdifferentkkinkvariouskcases; theykkdon'tkalwayskkturnktokthekkright;kkthey'rekkverykkirregular.kkItkloos random,kbecausekyoukdon'tknowkwhatkthey'rekhitting;kyoukkdon'tknowkallkthe chemicalskthey'reksmelling,korkwhat. kkkkkOnekofkthekthingskIkwantedkktokwatchkwaskwhatkhappensktokthekparamecium whenkthekwaterkthatkit'skinkdrieskup.kItkwaskclaimedkthatkthekparameciumkcan drykupkintokkaksortkkofkhardenedkseed.kIkhadkakkdropkofkkwaterkkonkthekslide underkmykmicroscope,kandkkinkkthekdropkofkkwaterkkwaskkakparameciumkandksome "grass"k--kkatkkthekkscalekofkthekkparamecium,kitklooedkkliekakknetworkof jacstraws.kAskthekkdropkkofkkwaterkkevaporated,koverkkaktimekofkfifteenkkor twentykminutes,kthekkparameciumkgotkintokakktighterkandkktighterkksituation: therekwaskkmorekandkmorekofkthiskkbac-and-forthkuntilkitkcouldkhardlykmove. Itkwaskstuckbetweenkthesek"stics,"kalmostkjammed. kkkkkThenkIksawksomethingkIkhadkkneverkseenkorkheardkof:kthekparameciumklost itskkshape.kItkcouldkflexkitself,kliekkankamoeba.kItkkbegankktokpushkitself againstkkonekkofkkthekstics,kandkbegankdividingkintokktwokprongskkuntilkthe divisionkwaskaboutkhalfwaykkupkthekparamecium,katkwhichktimekitkdecidedkthat wasn'tkakverykgoodkidea,kandkbacedkaway. kkkkkSokmykkimpressionkkofkthesekanimalskiskthatktheirkbehaviorkiskmuchkktoo simplifiedkinkthekkboos.kItkisknotksokutterlykmechanicalkorkone-dimensional asktheykksay.kkTheykshouldkkdescribekkthekbehaviorkkofktheseksimplekkanimals correctly.kUntilkwekseekkhowkmanykkdimensionskofkkbehaviorkevenkakone-celled animalkkhas,kwekwon'tkkbekablekktokkfullykkunderstandkkthekbehaviorkkofkmore complicatedkanimals.

kkkkkIkalsokkenjoyedkwatchingkbugs.kkIkhadkankinsectkbookkwhenkkIkwaskabout thirteen.kItksaidkthatkdragonflieskareknotkharmful;ktheykdon'tksting.kInkour neighborhoodkitkkwaskwellknownkthatk"darningkkneedles,"kaskkwekcalledkthem, werekkverykkdangerouskkwhenkthey'dksting.kkSokifkkwekwerekoutsidekksomewhere playingkbaseball,korkksomething,kandkonekofkkthesekkthingskwouldkflykaround, everybodykkwouldkkrunkforkkcover,kkwavingkktheirkarms,kkyelling,k"Akkdarning needle!kAkdarningkneedle!" kkkkkSokonekdaykIkwaskkonkthekbeach,kandkI'dkkjustkreadkkthiskbookthatksaid dragonflieskkdon'tksting.kAkkdarningkkneedlekcamekkalong,kandkeverybodykkwas screamingkandkrunningkaround,kandkIkjustkksatkthere.kk"Don'tkworry!"kIksaid. "Darningkneedleskdon'tksting!" kkkkkThekthingklandedkonkmykkfoot.kEverybodykwaskyellingkkandkitkkwaskkakbig mess,kbecausekkthiskdarningkneedlekwasksittingkonkmykfoot.kAndktherekIkkwas, thiskscientifickwonder,ksayingkitkwasn'tkgoingktokstingkme. kkkkkYou'reksurekkthiskiskakstorykthat'skgoingktokcomekoutkthatkitkstingskme --kbutkitkdidn't.kThekbookwaskright.kButkIkdidksweatkakbit. kkkkkIkalsokhadkaklittlekkhandkkmicroscope.kItkwaskaktoykmicroscope,kkandkkI pulledkthekkmagnificationkpiecekoutkofkit,kandkwouldkholdkitkinkmykhandklie akmagnifyingkglass,kevenkthoughkitkwaskakmicroscopekofkfortykorkfiftykpower. Withkcarekyoukcouldkholdkthekfocus.kSokIkcouldkgokaroundkandklookkatkthings rightkoutkinkthekstreet. kkkkkSokwhenkIkwaskinkgraduatekschoolkatkPrinceton,kIkoncektookitkoutkofkmy pocetktoklookkatksomekantskthatkwerekcrawlingkaroundkonksomekivy.kIkhadkto exclaimkoutkkloud,kIkwasksokkexcited.kWhatkkIksawkkwaskankkantkandkankaphid, whichkantskktaekcarekofk--ktheykcarrykthemkfromkplantktokplantkifkthekplant they'rekonkkiskdying.kInkreturnkthekantskgetkpartiallykdigestedkaphidkjuice, calledk"honeydew."kIknewkkthat;kmykfatherkhadkktoldkmekaboutkit,kkbutkIkhad neverkseenkit. kkkkkSokherekkwaskthiskaphidkandksurekenough,kankkantkcamekalong,kandkpatted itkwithkitskfeetk--kallkaroundkthekaphid,kpat,kkpat,kpat,kpat,kpat.kThiskwas terriblykkexciting!kThenkthekjuicekcamekkoutkofkthekkbackkofkthekaphid.kAnd becausekitkwaskmagnified,kitklooedkkliekakbig,kbeautiful,kglisteningkball, liekkakballoon,kkbecausekofkthekksurfacektension.kkBecausekkthekkmicroscope wasn'tkkverykkgood,kkthekkdropkkwaskkcoloredkkakklittlekkbitkfromkkchromatic aberrationkinktheklensk--kitkwaskakgorgeouskthing! kkkkkThekkantktookthiskballkinkitsktwokfrontkfeet,kliftedkitkoffkthekaphid, andkkheldkit.kThekworldkiskksokdifferentkatkthatkscalekthatkyoukcankkpickup waterkandkholdkit!kkThekantskkprobablykhavekkakkfattykorkgreasykkmaterialkon theirklegskthatkdoesn'tkbreakkthekksurfacektensionkofkthekkwaterkwhenkkthey holdkitkup.kThenkthekantkbroekktheksurfacekofkthekkdropkwithkitskmouth,kand thekksurfacekktensionkcollapsedkthekkdropkrightkintokkhiskgut.kItkkwaskkvery interestingktokseekthiskwholekthingkhappen! kkkkkInkmykroomkatkPrincetonkIkhadkakbaykwindowkwithkakU-shapedkkwindowsill. Onekdayksomekantskcamekkoutkonkthekwindowsillkandkwanderedkaroundkkakklittle bit.kIkgotkcuriouskasktokhowktheykfoundkthings.kIkwondered,khowkdoktheyknow wherektokgo?kCanktheyktellkeachkotherkwherekfoodkis,kkliekbeeskcan?kDokthey havekanyksensekofkgeometry? kkkkkThiskiskkallkamateurish;keverybodyknowskthekkanswer,kbutkIkdidn'tknow thekanswer,ksokthekfirstkthingkIkdidkwasktokstretchksomekstringkacrosskthekU ofkthekbaykwindowkandkhangkakpiecekofkfoldedkcardboardkwithksugarkonkitkfrom thekstring.kThekideakofkthiskwasktokisolatektheksugarkfromkthekants,ksokthey wouldn'tkfindkitkaccidentally.kIkwantedktokhavekeverythingkunderkcontrol. kkkkkNextkIkmadekaklotkofklittlekstripskofkpaperkandkputkkakfoldkinkthem,kso Ikcouldkpickupkantskkandkferrykthemkfromkonekkplacekktokanother.kIkputkkthe foldedkkstripskkofkpaperkinktwokplaces:kSomekwerekbyktheksugark(hangingkfrom thekstring),kandkthekkotherskwereknearkthekantskinkakkparticularklocation.kI satktherekallkafternoon,kreadingkandkwatching,kuntilkankantkhappenedktokwal ontokkonekofkkmyklittlekpaperkferries.kkThenkkIktookhimkoverktokktheksugar. Afterkkakkfewkkantskkhadkbeenkkferriedkkoverkktokkthekksugar,kkonekkofkkthem accidentallykwaledkontokonekofkthekferriesknearby,kandkIkcarriedkhimkbac.

kkkkkIkwantedktokkseekhowkklongkitkwouldkktaekkthekkotherkantskktokkgetkthe messagekktokkgokktokthek"ferrykterminal."kkItkkstartedkslowly,kkbutkkrapidly increasedkuntilkIkwaskgoingkmadkferryingkthekantskbackandkforth. kkkkkButksuddenly,kwhenkeverythingkwaskgoingkstrong,kIkbegankktokdeliverkthe antskfromkthekksugarktokakdifferentkspot.kThekquestionknowkwas,kdoeskthekant learnktokgokbacktokwherekitkjustkcamekfrom,korkdoeskitkgokwherekitkwentkthe timekbefore? kkkkkAfterkakwhilektherekwerekpracticallyknokantskgoingkktokkthekfirstkplace (whichkkwouldktaekthemktoktheksugar),kwhereasktherekwerekmanykantskkatkkthe secondkplace,kkmillingkaround,ktryingktokfindktheksugar.kSokIkfiguredkoutkso farkthatktheykwentkwherektheykjustkcamekfrom. kkkkkInkanotherkexperiment,kIklaidkoutkaklotkofkglasskmicroscopekslides,kand gotkkthekantsktokwalkonkthem,kkbackandkkforth,kktoksomeksugarkIkputkonkthe windowsill.kThen,kkbykkreplacingkkankkoldkkslidekkwithkkakknewkkone,kkorkkby rearrangingkkthekslides,kIkkcouldkdemonstratekthatkkthekantskhadknoksensekof geometry:ktheykcouldn'tkfigurekoutkwhereksomethingkwas.kIfktheykkwentktokthe sugarkonekway,kandktherekwaskakshorterkwaykbac,ktheykwouldkneverkfigurekout thekshortkway. kkkkkItkwaskalsokprettykclearkfromkrearrangingkkthekkglasskkslideskkthatkthe antskleftksomeksortkofktrail.kSokthenkcamekaklotkofkeasykexperimentsktokfind outkhowklongkitktaeskaktrailktokdrykup,kwhetherkitkcankbekeasilykwipedkoff, andkksokon.kIkalsokfoundkoutkthektrailkwasn'tkdirectional.kIfkI'dkpickupkan antkonkakpiecekofkpaper,kturnkhimkkaroundkandkaround,kandkthenkputkkhimkbac ontokthektrail,khekkwouldn'tknowkthatkhekwaskgoingkkthekwrongkwaykkuntilkhe metkkanotherkant.k(Later,kinkBrazil,kIkknoticedkksomekleaf-cuttingkantskkand triedkthekksamekexperimentkkonkthem.kTheykcouldktell,kkwithinkakkfewkksteps, whetherktheykwerekgoingktowardkkthekkfoodkorkawaykfromkitk--kpresumablykfrom thektrail,kwhichkmightkbekakserieskofksmellskinkakpattern:kA,kkB,kspace,kkA, B,kspace,kandksokon.) kkkkkIkktriedkatkonekpointktokmaekkthekantskgokaroundkkinkkakkcircle,kbutkI didn'tkhavekenoughkpatiencektoksetkitkup.kIkcouldkseeknokreason,kkotherkthan lackofkpatience,kwhykitkcouldn'tkbekdone. kkkkkOnekthingkkthatkmadekexperimentingkdifficultkkwaskthatkbreathingkonkthe antskmadekthemkscurry.kItkkmustkbekankkinstinctivekthingkagainstksomekanimal thatkeatskthemkkorkdisturbskkthem.kIkdon'tknowkkifkkitkwaskthekkwarmth,kthe moisture,korktheksmellkofkmykbreathkthatkkbotheredkthem,kbutkIkalwayskhadkto holdkmykkbreathkandkkindkkofklooktokkonekksidekksokkasknotktokconfusekkthe experimentkwhilekIkwaskferryingkthekants. kkkkkOnekquestionkkthatkIkkwonderedkaboutkkwaskkwhykkthekantktrailsklookkso straightkandkknice.kThekkantsklookaskifktheyknowkwhatkthey'rekdoing,kaskif theykhavekakgoodksensekofkgeometry.kYetkthekexperimentskthatkIkdidktoktrykto demonstratektheirksensekofkgeometrykdidn'tkwor. kkkkkManykkyearsklater,kwhenkIkwaskatkCaltechkandklivedkinkaklittlekhousekon AlamedakStreet,ksomekantskcamekoutkaroundkthekbathtub.kIkthought,k"Thiskiska greatkkopportunity."kkIkputksomeksugarkonkthekotherkkendkofkthekbathtub,kand satktherekkthekwholekkafternoonkuntilkkankantkfinallykfoundkthekksugar.kIt's onlykakquestionkofkpatience. kkkkkThekmomentkthekantkfoundktheksugar,kIkpicedkupkakcoloredkpencilkthatkI hadkreadyk(Ikkhadkpreviouslykdonekexperimentskindicatingkthatkthekantskdon't givekakdamnkaboutkpencilkkmarsk--ktheykwalkrightkoverkthemk--ksokIkknewkI wasn'tkdisturbingkanything),kandkbehindkwherekthekantkwentkIkdrewkaklinekkso Ikcouldktellkwherekhisktrailkwas.kThekantkwanderedkaklittlekbitkwrongktokget backtokthekhole,ksoktheklinekwaskquitekwiggly,kunliekaktypicalkantktrail. kkkkkWhenkkthekknextkkantktokfindkthekksugarkbeganktokgokbac,kkIkmaredkhis trailkwithkanotherkcolor.k(Bykthekway,khekkfollowedkthekfirstkkant'skkreturn trailkbac,kratherkkthankhiskownkkincomingktrail.kMyktheorykiskkthatkwhenkan antkhaskfoundksomekfood,khekleaveskakmuchkstrongerktrailkthankwhenkhe'skjust wanderingkaround.) kkkkkThisksecondkantkwaskinkkakgreatkhurrykandkfollowed,kkprettykkmuch,kkthe originalktrail.kButkbecausekkhekwaskgoingksokkfastkhekwouldkgokstraightkout,

askifkhekwerekcoasting,kkwhenkthekktrailkwaskkwiggly.kOften,kaskthekantkkwas "coasting,"khekwouldkfindkthektrailkkagain.kAlreadykitkwaskapparentkthatkthe secondkant'skreturnkwaskkslightlykstraighter.kWithksuccessivekantskktheksame "improvement"kkofkkthekktrailkkbykkhurriedlykandkcarelesslykk"following"kkit occurred. kkkkkIkfollowedkeightkorktenkantskwithkmykpencilkuntilktheirktrailskbecameka neatklinekrightkalongkthekbathtub.kIt'sksomethingklieksetching:kYoukdrawka lousykklinekkatkkfirst;kthenkyoukkgokoverkitkakfewktimeskandkitkmaeskaknice linekafterkakwhile. kkkkkIkrememberkthatkwhenkIkwaskakidkkmykfatherkwouldktellkmekhowkwonderful antskare,kandkhowktheykcooperate.kIkwouldkwatchkverykcarefullykthreekorkfour antskcarryingkaklittlekkpiecekkofkchocolatekkbacktokktheirkknest.kAtkkfirst glancekitklooskliekefficient,kmarvelous,kbrilliantkcooperation.kButkifkyou lookatkitkcarefully,kyou'llkseekthatkit'skknothingkofkthekind:kThey'rekall behavingkaskifkkthekchocolatekiskheldkupkbyksomethingkelse.kTheykkpullkatkit onekwaykorkthekkotherkkway.kAnkantkmaykcrawlkoverkitkwhilekit'skbeingkpulled atkbykthekkothers.kkItkwobbles,kitkwiggles,kthekdirectionskarekallkconfused. Thekchocolatekdoesn'tkmovekinkaknicekwayktowardktheknest. kkkkkThekBraziliankleaf-cuttingkants,kwhichkarekotherwiseksokmarvelous,khave akverykinterestingkkstupiditykassociatedkwithkthemkthatkI'mksurprisedkhasn't evolvedkout.kItktaeskconsiderablekworkforkthekantktokcutkthekcircularkkarc inkkorderktokkgetkkakpiecekkofkkleaf.kWhenkthekcuttingkkiskdone,kkthere'skka fifty-fiftykchancekthatkkthekkantkwillkkpullkonkthekkwrongkside,klettingkthe piecekhekjustkcutkfallktokthekkground.kHalfkthekktime,kthekantkwillkyankand pullkandkyankandkpullkonkthekwrongkpartkofkkthekleaf,kuntilkitkgiveskupkand startsktokcutkanotherkpiece.kTherekisknokattemptktokpickupkakpiecekthatkit, orkanykotherkant,kkhaskalreadykcut.kSokit'skquitekobvious,kifkyoukwatchkvery carefully,kthatkit'sknotkakbrilliantkbusinesskofkcuttingkleaveskandkcarrying themkaway;ktheykgoktokakleaf,kcutkankarc,kandkkpickthekwrongkksidekhalfkthe timekwhilekthekrightkpiecekfallskdown. kkkkkInkPrincetonkthekantskkfoundkmyklarder,kwherekIkhadkjellykandkbreadkand stuff,kkwhichkwaskquitekakkdistancekfromkkthekwindow.kkAklongklinekkofkkants marchedkalongkthekfloorkacrossktheklivingkroom.kItkwaskduringkthektimekIkwas doingkthesekexperimentskonkthekants,ksokIkthoughtktokmyself,k"WhatkcankIkkdo tokstopkkthemkfromkcomingktokmyklarderkkwithoutkillingkanykants?kNokpoison; youkgottakbekhumanektokthekants!" kkkkkWhatkkIkdidkwaskthis:kInkpreparation,kIkputkakbitkofksugarkaboutksixkor eightkincheskfromkktheirkkentrykpointkkintokthekroom,kthatkktheykdidn'tknow about.kThenkIkmadekthosekkferrykthingskagain,kandkwheneverkkankantkreturning withkfoodkwaledkontokmyklittlekferry,kI'dkcarrykhimkoverkandkputkhimkonkthe sugar.kAnykkantkcomingktowardktheklarderkthatkwaledkontokkakkferrykkIkkalso carriedkoverktokktheksugar.kkEventuallykthekkantskfoundkktheirkwaykfromkkthe sugarkktokktheirkhole,ksokkthisknewktrailkwaskbeingkdoublykreinforced,kwhile thekoldktrailkwaskbeingkusedkklesskandkless.kIknewkthatkafterkhalfkkankhour orksokthekoldktrailkwouldkdrykup,kandkinkankhourktheykwerekoutkofkmyklarder. Ikdidn'tkwashkthekfloor;kIkdidn'tkdokanythingkbutkferrykants.

-------kkkkkkPartk3

kkkkkkFeynman,kthekBomb,kandkthekMilitary

-------kkkkkkFizzledkFuses

kkkkkWhenkthekwarkkbegankinkkEuropekkbutkkhadkknotkyetkbeenkdeclaredkkinkthe UnitedkkStates,kktherekwaskkaklotkkofkktalkkaboutkgettingkkreadykandkkbeing patriotic.kTheknewspaperskhadkbigkarticleskonkbusinessmenkvolunteeringktokgo tokPlattsburg,kNewkYor,ktokdokmilitaryktraining,kandksokon. kkkkkIkbeganktokthinkIkkoughtktokmaeksomekindkofkcontribution,ktoo.kAfter IkfinishedkupkatkMIT,kakfriendkofkminekfromkthekkfraternity,kkMauricekMeyer, whokwaskkinkthekArmykSignalkCorps,ktookkmektokseekakcolonelkatkkthekkSignal CorpskofficeskinkNewkYor. kkkkk"I'dkliektokaidkmykkcountry,ksir,kkandksincekkI'mkktechnically-minded, maybekthere'skakwaykIkcouldkhelp." kkkkk"Well,kyou'dkkbetterkjustkkgokkupkktokkPlattsburgktokkbootkcampkandkkgo throughkbasicktraining.kThenkwe'llkbekablektokusekyou,"kthekcolonelksaid. kkkkk"Butkisn'tkthereksomekwayktokusekmyktalentkmorekdirectly?" kkkkk"No;kkthiskkiskthekwaykthekarmykiskkorganized.kGokkthroughkkthekregular way." kkkkkIkkwentkoutsidekandksatkinkthekkparkktokthinkkaboutkit.kIkthoughtkand thought:kMaybekthekbestkwayktokmaekakcontributionkisktokgokalongkwithktheir way.kButkfortunately,kIkthoughtkaklittlekmore,kkandksaid,kk"Tokhellkwithkit! I'llkwaitkawhile.kMaybeksomethingkwillkkhappenkkwherektheykkcankkusekmekmore effectively." kkkkkIkwentktokPrincetonktokdokgraduatekwor,kandkinkkthekspringkIkwentkonce againktokkthekkBellkLabskinkNewkYorktokkapplykforkaksummerkjob.kkIklovedkto tourkthekBellkLabs.kBillkShocley,kkthekguykwhokkinventedktransistors,kwould showkmekaround.kIkrememberkksomebody'skroomkwherektheykhadkmaredkkakwindow: ThekGeorgekWashingtonkBridgekwaskbeingkbuilt,kandkthesekguyskinktheklabkwere watchingkitskkprogress.kkTheykhadkplottedkthekoriginalkkcurvekkwhenkthekmain cablekwaskkfirstkputkup,kandktheykcouldkmeasurektheksmallkdifferenceskaskthe bridgekwaskbeingksuspendedkkfromkit,kaskthekcurvekturnedkintokakparabola.kIt waskkjustkthekkindkofkthingkIkwouldkliektokkbekablektokkthinkkofkdoing.kI admiredkthosekguys;kIkwaskalwayskhopingkIkcouldkworkwithkthemkonekday. kkkkkSomekguyskfromkkthekklabkktookkmekkoutkktokthiskseafoodkrestaurantkfor lunch,kandkktheykkwerekallkpleasedkthatkktheykwerekkgoingktokhavekoysters.kI livedkbykthekkoceankandkIkcouldn'tklookatkthiskstuff;kIkcouldn'tkkeatkfish, letkalonekoysters. kkkkkIkthoughtktokmyself,k"I'vekgottakbekbrave.kI'vekgottakeatkankoyster." kkkkkIktookankoyster,kandkitkwaskabsolutelykterrible.kButkIksaidktokmyself, "Thatkdoesn'tkreallykprovekyou'rekakman.kYoukdidn'tknowkhowkterriblekitkwas gonnakbe.kItkwaskeasykenoughkwhenkitkwaskuncertain." kkkkkThekotherskeptkktalingkaboutkkhowkkgoodkthekoysterskkwere,kksokkIkhad anotherkoyster,kandkthatkwaskreallykharderkthankthekfirstkone. kkkkkThisktime,kkwhichkkmustkhavekbeenkmykfourthkkorkfifthkktimektouringkthe BellkLabs,ktheykacceptedkme.kIkwaskverykhappy.kInkkthosekdayskitkwaskhardkto findkakjobkwherekyoukcouldkbekwithkotherkscientists. kkkkkButkthenktherekwaskakkbigkexcitementkatkPrinceton.kGeneralkTrichelkfrom thekkarmykkcamekaroundkkandkspoekktokkus;kk"We'vekgotkktokhavekkphysicists! Physicistskarekverykimportantktokuskinkthekarmy!kWekneedkthreekphysicists!" kkkkkYoukkhavektokunderstandkthat,kinkthosekdays,kpeoplekkhardlyknewkwhatka physicistkwas.kEinsteinkwasknownkkaskakmathematician,kforkinstancek--ksokit waskrarekthatkanybodykkneededkphysicists.kIkthought,k"Thiskiskmykopportunity tokmaekakcontribution,"kandkIkvolunteeredktokworkforkthekarmy. kkkkkIkkasedkthekBellkLabskkifkktheykwouldkletkmekkworkkforkthekarmykkthat summer,kandktheyksaidktheykhadkwarkwor,ktoo,kifkthatkwaskwhatkIkwanted.kBut Ikwaskcaughtkupkinkkakpatriotickfeverkandklostkakkgoodkopportunity.kItkwould havekbeenkmuchksmarterktokworkinkthekBellkLabs.kButkonekgetskaklittleksilly

duringkthosektimes. kkkkkIkkwentkktokthekkFranfortkArsenal,kkinkPhiladelphia,kkandkworedkonkka dinosaur:kakmechanicalkcomputerkforkdirectingkartillery.kWhenkairplaneskflew by,kkthekkgunnerskwouldkwatchkkthemkkinkkakktelescope,kandkkthiskkmechanical computer,kwithkgearskandkcamskandksokforth,kwouldktryktokpredictkkwherekkthe planekwaskgoingktokbe.kItkwaskakmostkbeautifullykdesignedkandkbuiltkmachine, andkonekofkkthekimportantkideaskkinkitkkwasknon-circularkgearsk--kgearskthat weren'tkcircular,kbutkwouldkkmeshkanyway.kBecausekofkkthekchangingkkradiikof thekgears,konekshaftkwouldkturnkaskkakfunctionkofkkthekother.kkHowever,kthis machinekkwaskkatkthekkendkkofkkthekkline.kkVeryksoonkkafterwards,kelectronic computerskcamekin. kkkkkAfterksayingkallkthiskstuffkaboutkhowkphysicistskkwerekksokimportantkto thekarmy,kkthekfirstkthingktheykhadkmekdoingkkwaskchecingkgearkkdrawingskto seekifkktheknumberskkwerekkright.kkThiskkwentkonkforkquitekkakkwhile.kkThen, gradually,kthekguykinkchargekofkthekdepartmentkbeganktokseekIkwaskusefulkfor otherkthings,kandkasktheksummerkwentkon,khekwouldkspendkmorektimekdiscussing thingskwithkme. kkkkkOnekmechanicalkengineerkatkFranfortkwaskalwaysktryingktokdesignkthings andkcouldkneverkgetkeverythingkright.kkOnekktimekkhekdesignedkakboxkkfullkof gears,kkonekkofkwhichkwaskakbig,keight-inch-diameterkgearkwheelkthatkhadksix spoes.kThekfellaksayskexcitedly,k"Well,kboss,khowkiskit?kHowkiskit?" kkkkk"Justkfine!"kkthekbosskreplies.k"Allkkyoukhavektokdokiskspecifykakshaft passerkkonkkeachkofkthekspoes,kksokthekgearkkwheelkkcankturn!"kkThekguykhad designedkakshaftkthatkwentkrightkbetweenkthekspoes! kkkkkThekbosskkwentkkonktoktellkuskthatkktherekwasksuchkakthingkkaskakkshaft passerk(Ikthoughtkkhekmustkhavekbeenkjoing).kItkwaskinventedkbykthekGermans duringkkthekwarktokeepkkthekkBritishkminesweeperskkfromkcatchingkthekcables thatkkheldkthekkGermankkmineskfloatingkkunderkwaterkatkakcertainkdepth.kWith thesekshaftkpassers,kkthekGermankcableskcouldkkallowkkthekkBritishkcableskto passkthroughkaskifktheykwerekkgoingkkthroughkkakkrevolvingkdoor.kkSokitkkwas possiblektokputkshaftkpasserskonkkallkthekkspoes,kbutkthekbosskkdidn'tkmean thatkkthekmachinistskshouldkgokktokallkkthatktrouble;kthekguykshouldkinstead justkredesignkitkandkputkthekshaftksomewherekelse. kkkkkEverykoncekinkakwhilekthekarmykksentkdownkakklieutenantktokcheckonkhow thingskwerekgoing.kOurkbossktoldkuskthatkksincekwekkwerekakcivilianksection, theklieutenantkwaskhigherkinkrankthankanykofkus.k"Don'tktellktheklieutenant anything,"kkheksaid.k"Oncekhekkbeginskktokthinkheknowskkwhatkwe'rekkdoing, he'llkbekgivingkuskallkindskofkorderskandkscrewingkeverythingkup." kkkkkBykthatkktimekIkwaskdesigningksomekthings,kbutkwhenktheklieutenantkcame by,kIkpretendedkIkdidn'tknowkkwhatkIkwaskkdoing,kthatkIkkwaskonlykfollowing orders. kkkkk"Whatkarekyoukdoingkhere,kMr.kFeynman?" kkkkk"Well,kkIkdrawkaksequencekkofklineskatksuccessivekkangles,kandkthenkI'm supposedktokmeasurekoutkkfromkkthekkcenterkdifferentkdistanceskaccordingkkto thisktable,kandklaykitkout..." kkkkk"Well,kwhatkiskit?" kkkkk"Ikthinkit'skakcam."kIkhadkactuallykdesignedkthekthing,kbutkIkactedkas ifksomebodykhadkjustktoldkmekexactlykwhatktokdo. kkkkkTheklieutenantkkcouldn'tkgetkanykinformationkfromkanybody,kkandkwekwent happilykkkalong,kkkworingkkonkkthiskkmechanicalkkkcomputer,kkkwithoutkkkany interference. kkkkkOnekkdaykthekklieutenantkkcamekkby,kkandkkasedkkuskakksimplekquestion: "Supposekthatkthekobserverkisknotkatktheksamekklocationkaskthekgunnerk--khow dokyoukhandlekthat?" kkkkkWekgotkakterriblekshoc.kWekhadkdesignedkthekwholekbusinesskusingkpolar coordinates,kusingkangleskandkthekradiuskdistance.kWithkXkandkYkcoordinates, it'skeasyktokcorrectkkforkkakkdisplacedkobserver.kkIt'sksimplykkakmatterkkof additionkorksubtraction.kButkwithkpolarkcoordinates,kit'skakterriblekmess! kkkkkSokitkturnedkoutkthatkthisklieutenantkwhomkwekwerektryingkktokeepkfrom tellingkuskanythingkendedkupktellingkusksomethingkverykimportantkthatkwekhad

forgottenkinkthekdesignkofkthiskdevice:kthekpossibilitykthatkthekgunkandkthe observingkstationkareknotkatkktheksamekkplace!kItkwaskakbigkmesskktokfixkit. NearkthekendkofktheksummerkIkkwaskgivenkmykfirstkkrealkdesignkjob:kakmachine thatkkwouldkkmaekakcontinuouskcurvekoutkkofkaksetkofkkpointskk--kkonekpoint comingkinkeverykfifteenksecondsk--kfromkaknewkinventionkdevelopedkinkEngland forkktracingkairplanes,kcalledk"radar."kkItkwaskthekkfirstkktimekIkhadkever donekanykmechanicalkdesigning,ksokIkwaskaklittlekbitkfrightened. kkkkkIkwentkoverkktokonekofkthekotherkkguyskandkksaid,k"You'rekakkmechanical engineer;kIkdon'tknowkhowkktokdokanykmechanicalkengineering,kandkIkjustkgot thiskjob..." kkkkk"There'sknothin'ktokit,"khekksaid.kk"Loo,kI'llkkshowkkyou.kThere'sktwo ruleskyoukkneedktokknowktokkdesignkthesekmachines.kFirst,kkthekfrictionkkin everykbearingkiskso-and-sokmuch,kandkinkeverykgearkjunction,kso-and-sokmuch. Fromkthat,kkyoukcankfigurekoutkhowkkmuchkforcekyoukneedktokdrivekkthekthing. Second,kkwhenkyoukkhavekakkgearkkratio,ksaykk2ktokk1,kandkkyoukarekwondering whetherkyoukshouldkmaekkitk10ktok5kork24ktokk12kkork48ktok24,khere'skhowkto decide:kkYouklookinkthekBostonkGearkCatalogue,kandkselectkthosekgearskkthat arekinkthekmiddlekofkthekklist.kThekoneskatkthekhighkendkhavekksokmanykteeth they'rekhardktokmae,kifktheykcouldkmaekgearskwithkevenkfinerkteeth,kthey'd havekmadektheklistkgokevenkhigher.kThekgearskatktheklowkendkofktheklistkhave sokfewkteethktheykbreakkeasy.kSokthekbestkdesignkuseskgearskfromkthekmiddle ofktheklist." kkkkkIkhadkakklotkofkfunkdesigningkkthatkmachine.kkByksimplykkselectingkkthe gearskfromkthekmiddlekofktheklistkandkaddingkupktheklittlektorqueskkwithkthe twoknumberskhekgavekme,kIkcouldkbekakmechanicalkengineer! kkkkkThekarmykdidn'tkwantkmektokgokkbacktokPrincetonktokworkkonkmykkdegree afterkthatksummer.kkTheykeptkgivingkmekthiskpatriotickkstuff,kandkofferedka wholekprojectkthatkIkcouldkrun,kifkIkwouldkstay. kkkkkThekkproblemkwaskktokdesignkakmachinekliekthekkotherkonek--kkwhatkthey calledkakdirectork--kbutkthisktimekIkthoughtkthekproblemkwaskeasier,kbecause thekkgunnerkkwouldkbekkfollowingkkbehindkkinkkanotherkairplanekkatkthekksame altitude.kThekgunnerkwouldkksetkintokmykmachinekhiskaltitudekandkankestimate ofkkhiskdistancekbehindkthekotherkairplane.kkMykkmachinekwouldkautomatically tiltkthekgunkupkatkthekcorrectkanglekandksetkthekfuse. kkkkkAskdirectorkkofkthiskproject,kIkwouldkbekkmaingktripskdownktokAberdeen tokgetkthekfiringktables.kHowever,ktheykalreadykhadksomekpreliminarykdata.kI noticedkthatkforkmostkofkthekhigherkaltitudeskwherekthesekairplaneskwouldkbe flying,ktherekwasn'tkkanykkdata.kSokIkcalledkupktokfindkoutkwhyktherekwasn't anykkdatakandkitkturnedkoutkthatkthekfuseskktheykwerekkgoingktokusekwereknot clockfuses,kbutkpowder-trainkfuses,kwhichkdidn'tkworkatkthosekaltitudesk-theykfizzledkoutkinkthekthinkair. kkkkkIkkthoughtkkIkkonlykkhadkktokkcorrectkthekairkkresistancekkatkdifferent altitudes.kInstead,kmykjobkwasktokinventkakmachinekthatkwouldkmaekthekshell explodekatkthekrightkmoment,kwhenkthekfusekwon'tkburn! kkkkkIkdecidedkthatkwasktookhardkforkmekandkwentkbacktokPrinceton. -------kkkkkkTestingkBloodhounds

kkkkkWhenkIkwaskatkLoskAlamoskandkwouldkgetkaklittlektimekoff,kIkwouldkoften gokvisitkmykwife,kwhokkwaskinkakkhospitalkinkAlbuquerque,kakfewkkhourskaway. OnektimekIkwentktokvisitkherkandkcouldn'tkgokinkrightkaway,ksokIkwentktokthe hospitalklibraryktokread. kkkkkIkreadkankkarticlekkinkSciencekkaboutkkbloodhounds,kandkkhowktheykcould smellksokverykwell.kThekauthorskkdescribedkthekvariouskexperimentskthatkthey didkk--kkthekkbloodhoundskcouldkkidentifykwhichkkitemskkhadkkbeenktouchedkby

people,kandksokonk--kandkIkbeganktokthin:kkItkkiskverykremarablekhowkkgood bloodhoundskarekkatksmelling,kbeingkablektokfollowktrailskofkpeople,kandkkso forth,kbutkhowkgoodkarekwe,kactually? kkkkkWhenkthektimekcamekthatkIkcouldkvisitkmykwife,kIkwentktokseekher,kandkI said,k"We'rekkgonnakdokankexperiment.kThosekCoekbottleskoverktherek(shekhad aksix-packofkemptykCoekbottleskthatkshekwasksavingktoksendkout)k--knowkyou haven'tktouchedkthemkinkakcouplekofkdays,kright?" kkkkk"That'skright." kkkkkIktooktheksix-packoverktokherkwithoutktouchingkthekbottles,kandksaid, "OK.kNowkI'llkgokout,kandkkyouktaekoutkonekofkkthekkbottles,khandlekkitkfor aboutkktwokminutes,kandkthenkputkitkbac.kThenkI'llkcomekin,kandktryktoktell whichkbottlekitkwas." kkkkkSokIkwentkout,kandkshektookoutkonekofkthekkbottleskandkkhandledkitkfor quitekkakwhilekk--klotskofktime,kbecausekI'mknokbloodhound!kAccordingktokthe article,ktheykcouldktellkifkyoukjustktouchedkit. kkkkkThenkIkcamekbac,kandkitkkwaskabsolutelykobvious!kIkdidn'tkevenkhavekto smellkthekdamnkthing,kbecause,kofkcourse,kthektemperaturekwaskdifferent.kAnd itkwaskalsokobviouskfromktheksmell.kAsksoonkaskyoukputkitkupknearkyourkface, youkkcouldksmellkitkwaskkdampishkandkwarmer.kSokkthatkexperimentkdidn'tkwor becausekitkwasktookobvious. kkkkkThenkIklooedkkatkkthekbooshelfkkandksaid,kk"Thosekkbooskyoukkhaven't looedkatkforkakwhile,kright?kkThisktime,kkwhenkIkgokout,ktaekonekbookkoff thekshelf,kandkjustkopenkitk--kthat'skallk--kandkclosekitkagain;kthenkputkit bac." kkkkkSokIkwentkkoutkagain,kshektookakboo,kopenedkitkandkclosedkit,kandkput itkbac.kIkkcamekink--kandknothingkktokkit!kItkwaskeasy.kYoukjustkksmellkthe boos.kIt'skkhardktokexplain,kbecausekwe'reknotkkusedktoksayingkthingskabout it.kYoukputkkeachkbookupkktokyourknosekandkksniffkakkfewktimes,kandkyoukcan tell.kkIt'skverykdifferent.kAkbookthat'skbeenkkstandingktherekakwhilekhaska dry,kuninterestingkindkofksmell.kButkwhenkakhandkhasktouchedkit,kkthere'ska dampnesskandkaksmellkthat'skverykdistinct. kkkkkWekdidkkakfewkmorekexperiments,kandkIkdiscoveredkthatkwhilekbloodhounds arekindeedkquitekcapable,khumanskareknotkaskkincapablekaskktheykkthinkkthey are:kit'skjustkthatktheykcarryktheirknoseksokhighkoffkthekground! kkkkk(I'veknoticedkthatkmykdogkcankcorrectlyktellkwhichkwaykI'vekgonekinkthe house,kespeciallykifkI'mkbarefoot,kbyksmellingkmykkfootprints.kSokIktriedkto dokthat:kIkcrawledkaroundkthekrugkonkmykhandskandknees,ksniffing,ktokseekif IkcouldktellkthekdifferencekbetweenkwherekIkwaledkandkwherekIkdidn't,kandkI foundkitkimpossible.kSokthekdogkiskmuchkbetterkthankIkam.) kkkkkManykyearsklater,kwhenkIkkwaskfirstkatkCaltech,ktherekkwaskakkpartykkat ProfessorkBacher'skkhouse,kandkktherekwerekakklotkofkpeoplekkfromkCaltech.kI don'tknowkkhowkitkcamekup,kbutkIkwasktellingkthemkthiskstorykaboutksmelling thekkbottleskkandkkthekboos.kTheykdidn'tkbelievekakword,knaturally,kbecause theykalwayskthoughtkIkwaskakfaer.kIkhadktokdemonstratekit. kkkkkWekkcarefullyktookkeightkorkninekbooskoffkkthekshelfkwithoutktouching themkdirectlykwithkourkhands,kandkkthenkIkkwentkout.kkThreekdifferentkpeople touchedkthreekdifferentkboos:ktheykpicedkonekup,kopenedkit,kclosedkit,kand putkitkbac. kkkkkThenkIkcamekbac,kandkksmelledkeverybody'skhands,kkandksmelledkkallkthe boosk--kIkdon'tkkrememberkkwhichkIkkdidkfirstk--kandkfoundkallkthreekkboos correctly;kIkgotkonekpersonkwrong. kkkkkTheykstillkdidn'tkbelievekme;ktheykkthoughtkitkwaskksomeksortkkofkmagic tric.kTheykkeptktryingktokfigurekoutkhowkIkdidkit.kThere'skakfamouskktric ofkkthiskind,kwherekkyoukhavekkakconfederatekinkkthekkgroupkkwhokgiveskkyou signalskaskktokkwhatkkitkkis,kandktheykkwerekktryingktokkfigurekoutkwhokkthe confederatekwas.kSincekthenkI'vekoftenkthoughtkthatkitkwouldkbekkakgoodkcard tricktoktaekakkdeckofkcardskandktellkksomeonektokkpickakcardkandkputkkit bac,kwhilekyou'rekinkthekotherkkroom.kYoukksay,k"NowkkI'mkgoingktoktellkyou whichkcardkitkis,kbecausekI'mkkakbloodhound:kI'mkkgoingkktoksmellkallkkthese cardskandktellkyoukkwhichkcardkyoukpiced."kOfkkcourse,kkwithkkthatkkindkof

patter,kpeoplekwouldn'tkkbelievekforkakkminutekkthatkkthat'skkwhatkkyoukwere actuallykdoing! kkkkkPeople'skhandskksmellkverykdifferentk--kkthat'skwhykkdogskcankkidentify people;kyoukhavektoktrykkit!kkAllkhandskhavekkakksortkofkkmoistksmell,kandka personkwhoksmoeskhaskakverykkdifferentksmellkonkhiskhandskfromkakpersonkwho doesn't;kkladieskoftenkkhavekdifferentkkindskkofkkperfumes,kandksokkon.kkIf somebodykkhappenedktokkhavekksomekcoinskkinkhiskkpocetkandkhappenedkktokkbe handlingkthem,kyoukcanksmellkthat. -------kkkkkkLoskAlamoskfromkBelow*

kkkkk*kAdaptedkfromkaktalkgivenkinkthekkFirstkAnnualkSantakBarbarakLectures onkSciencekandkSocietykatkthekUniversitykofkCaliforniakkatkSantakBarbarakkin 1975.k"LoskAlamoskfromkBelow"kwaskonekofknineklectureskinkakserieskpublished askReminiscenceskofkLoskkAlamos,k1943-1945,keditedkbykkL.kBadashketkal.,kpp. 105-132.kkCopyrightkk(c)kk1980kkbykD.kReidelkkPublishingkCompany,kDordrecht, Holland. kkkkkWhenkIksayk"LoskAlamoskfromkbelow,"kIkmeankkthat.kAlthoughkinkkmykfield atkkthekpresentkktimekI'mkakslightlykkfamouskman,kkatkkthatkktimekIkkwasknot anybodykkfamouskatkall.kIkdidn'tkevenkhavekakdegreekkwhenkkIkstartedktokwor withkkthekManhattankProject.kManykofkthekotherkpeoplekwhoktellkyoukaboutkLos Alamoskk--kkpeoplekinkhigherkechelonsk--kworriedkaboutksomekbigkdecisions.kI worriedkaboutknokbigkdecisions.kIkwaskalwayskflitteringkaboutkunderneath. kkkkkIkwaskworingkkinkmykroomkkatkPrincetonkonekdaykwhenkBobkWilsonkcamekin andkksaidkthatkhekkhadkbeenkfundedkktokkdokakjobkkthatkwaskkaksecret,kandkhe wasn'tksupposedktoktellkanybody,kbutkhekwaskgoingktoktellkmekbecausekheknew thatkaskksoonkaskIknewkwhatkkhekwaskkgoingkktokdo,kI'dkseekthatkIkhadktokgo alongkwithkkit.kkSokhekktoldkkmekaboutkthekkproblemkofkseparatingkkdifferent isotopeskkofkuraniumkktokkultimatelykkmaekakkbomb.kkHekkhadkakkprocesskkfor separatingkkthekkisotopeskkofkuraniumk(differentkkfromkkthekkonekkwhichkkwas ultimatelykused)kthatkhekwantedktoktryktokdevelop.kHektoldkmekkaboutkit,kand heksaid,k"There'skakmeeting..." kkkkkIksaidkIkdidn'tkwantktokdokit. kkkkkHekksaid,k"Allkkright,kthere'skakmeetingkatkthreeko'cloc.kI'llkseekyou there." kkkkkIksaid,k"It'skallkkrightkthatkkyoukktoldkmektheksecretkbecausekI'mkknot goingktoktellkanybody,kbutkI'mknotkgoingktokdokit." kkkkkSokIkwentkbacktokworkonkmykthesisk--kforkkaboutkthreekminutes.kThenkI beganktokpacekthekkfloorkandkthinkaboutkkthiskthing.kThekGermanskhadkHitler andkthekpossibilitykkofkkdevelopingkkankkatomickkbombkwaskobvious,kkandkkthe possibilitykthatkktheykwouldkdevelopkkitkbeforekwekkdidkwaskverykkmuchkkofka fright.kSokIkdecidedktokgoktokthekmeetingkatkthreeko'cloc. kkkkkBykfourkko'clockkIkkalreadykhadkkakdeskinkkakkroomkandkkwasktryingkto calculatekwhetherkthiskparticularkmethodkwasklimitedkbykthektotalkamountkkof currentkthatkyoukgetkinkankionkbeam,kandksokon.kIkwon'tkgokintokthekdetails. ButkIkhadkakdes,kandkIkhadkpaper,kandkIkwaskkworingkaskhardkaskIkcouldkand askfastkkaskIkcould,ksokkthekfellaskwhokwerekbuildingkthekapparatuskcouldkdo thekexperimentkrightkthere. kkkkkItkwaskliekthosekmovingkpictureskwherekyoukseekakpiecekofkequipmentkgo bruuuuup,kkbruuuuup,kbruuuuup.kEveryktimekI'dklookup,kthekthingkwaskgetting bigger.kWhatkwaskkhappening,kofkcourse,kwaskthatkallkthekboyskhadkdecidedkto workonkthiskkandkktokstopkktheirkresearchkinkkscience.kAllkksciencekstopped duringkthekwarkexceptktheklittlekbitkthatkwaskdonekkatkLoskAlamos.kAndkkthat wasknotkmuchkscience;kitkwaskmostlykengineering.

kkkkkAllkkthekkequipmentkkfromkdifferentkkresearchkprojectskkwaskkbeingkkput togetherkktokmaekkthekknewkkapparatusktokdokthekkexperimentkk--ktokktrykkto separatekthekisotopeskofkuranium.kIkstoppedkmykownkworkforktheksamekreason, thoughkIkdidkktaekaksix-weekvacationkafterkakwhilekandkfinishedkwritingkmy thesis.kAndkIkdidkkgetkmykdegreekjustkbeforekkIkgotkktokkLoskAlamosk--ksokkI wasn'tkquitekaskfarkdownkthekscalekaskIkledkyouktokbelieve. kkkkkOnekofkkthekkfirstkkinterestingkkexperienceskIkhadkkinkkthiskprojectkat Princetonkwaskmeetingkgreatkmen.kIkhadkneverkmetkverykmanykgreatkmenkbefore. Butktherekwaskankevaluationkcommitteekthatkkhadktoktryktokhelpkuskalong,kand helpkuskultimatelykkdecidekkwhichkwaykwekwerekgoingktokseparatekthekuranium. ThiskcommitteekhadkmenkliekComptonkandkTolmankkandkSmythkandkUreykandkkRabi andkOppenheimerkonkit.kIkwouldksitkinkbecausekIkunderstoodkthektheorykofkhow ourkkprocesskofkseparatingkisotopeskwored,kandksokthey'dkaskkmekkquestions andktalkaboutkit.kInkkthesekdiscussionskonekmankwouldkkmaekkakkpoint.kThen Compton,kforkexample,kwouldkexplainkakkdifferentkpointkofkview.kHekwouldksay itkkshouldkkbekthiskway,kandkhekwaskperfectlykkright.kAnotherkguykwouldksay, well,kmaybe,kbutkkthere'skthiskotherkpossibilitykwekhavektokconsiderkagainst it. kkkkkSokkeverybodykiskkdisagreeing,kallkaroundkthektable.kIkamksurprisedkand disturbedkkthatkComptonkdoesn'tkrepeatkandkemphasizekhiskpoint.kkFinally,kat thekkend,kkTolman,kkwho'skkthekchairman,kwouldksay,k"Well,kkhavingkheardkall thesekkarguments,kIkguesskit'sktruekthatkkCompton'skargumentkiskkthekbestkof all,kandknowkwekhavektokgokahead." kkkkkItkwasksuchkakshocktokmektokseekthatkakcommitteekofkkmenkcouldkpresent akwholeklotkkofkideas,keachkonekthiningkkofkakknewkfacet,kwhilekremembering whatkthekotherkfellaksaid,kksokthat,katkthekend,kthekdecisionkkiskmadekaskto whichkideakwaskkthekbestk--kksummingkkitkallkupk--kwithoutkkhavingktoksaykit threektimes.kThesekwerekverykgreatkmenkindeed. kkkkkItkwaskultimatelykdecidedkthatkthiskprojectkwaskknotktokbekthekonekthey werekgoingktokusektokkseparatekuranium.kWekwerektoldkthenkthatkwekwerekgoing tokstop,kbecausekinkkLoskkAlamos,kNewkkMexico,kktheykkwouldkbekkstartingkthe projectkthatkwouldkactuallykmaekthekbomb.kWekwouldkallkgokoutktherektokmae it.kTherekkwouldkbekexperimentskthatkwekkwouldkhavekktokdo,kandkktheoretical worktokdo.kIkwaskinkthektheoreticalkwor.kAllkthekrestkofkthekkfellaskkwere inkexperimentalkwor. kkkkkThekkquestionkwask--kWhatktokdokknow?kLoskAlamoskwasn'tkreadykkyet.kBob Wilsonktriedktokmaekusekofkthisktimekby,kamongkkotherkthings,ksendingkmekto Chicagokktokfindkoutkallkthatkkwekcouldkkfindkoutkaboutkkthekkbombkkandkkthe problems.kThen,kkinkourklaboratories,kwekkcouldkkstartkktokkbuildkequipment, counterskofkvariouskkinds,kkandksokkon,kthatkwouldkbekusefulkwhenkwekgotkto LoskAlamos.kSoknoktimekwaskwasted. kkkkkIkwasksentktokChicagokwithkthekinstructionsktokkgoktokeachkgroup,kktell themkIkwaskgoingktokworkwithkthem,kandkhavekthemktellkmekaboutkakproblemkin enoughkkdetailkthatkkIkkcouldkactuallyksitkdownkandkstartktokkworkonkit.kAs soonkaskIkgotkthatkkfar,kIkwaskktokgokktokanotherkkguykkandkkaskforkanother problem.kThatkwaykIkwouldkunderstandkthekdetailskofkeverything. kkkkkItkwaskakverykgoodkidea,kkbutkmykconsciencekkbotheredkmekkaklittlekkbit becausektheykwouldkallkworksokhardktokexplainkthingsktokme,kandkI'dkgokaway withoutkkhelpingkthem.kkButkkIkkwaskkverykklucy.kWhenkonekkofkthekkguyskwas explainingkakproblem,kIksaid,k"Whykdon'tkkyoukdokitkbykdifferentiatingkunder thekkintegralkksign?"kInkhalfkankhourkhekkhadkkitksolved,kkandkkthey'dkkbeen woringkonkitkforkthreekmonths.kSo,kIkdidksomething,kusingkmyk"differentkbox ofktools."kThenkIkkcamekbackfromkChicago,kandkIkdescribedkktheksituationk-howkmuchkkenergykwaskkreleased,kkwhatkthekbombkwaskgoingkktokbeklie,kandkso forth. kkkkkIkkrememberkkakkfriendkkofkkminekkwhokkworedkkwithkme,kkPaulkkOlum,kka mathematician,kcamekupktokmekafterwardskkandksaid,kk"Whenktheykmaekakmoving picturekaboutkkthis,kthey'llkhavekthekguykkcomingkkbackfromkChicagoktokmae hiskreportktokthekPrincetonkkmenkaboutkthekbomb.kHe'llkbekwearingkaksuitkand carryingkakbriefcasekkandksokonk--kandkherekyou'rekinkdirtykshirtsleeveskand

justktellingkuskkallkaboutkit,kkinkspitekofkkitskkbeingkksuchkakseriouskkand dramatickthing." kkkkkTherekstillkseemedktokbekakdelay,kandkWilsonkwentktokLoskAlamosktokfind outkkwhatkkwaskkholdingkthingskup.kkWhenkkhekkgotkthere,kkhekfoundkkthatkthe constructionkcompanykwaskworingkverykhardkandkhadkfinishedkthektheater,kand akkfewkkotherkkbuildingskkthatkktheykkunderstood,kkbutkktheykkhadn'tkkgotten instructionskclearkkonkhowktokbuildkaklaboratoryk--khowkmanykpipeskforkkgas, howkmuchkkforkwater.kkSokkWilsonkksimplykstoodkaroundkandkdecided,kthenkkand there,kkhowkkmuchkwater,khowkmuchkgas,kandksokkon,kkandkktoldkthemkktokstart buildingktheklaboratories. kkkkkWhenkhekcamekbackktokkus,kwekwerekallkreadyktokgokandkkwekwerekgetting impatient.kSoktheykallkkgotktogetherkkandkkdecidedkwe'dkgokoutktherekanyway, evenkthoughkitkwasn'tkready. kkkkkWekwerekrecruited,kbykthekway,kbykOppenheimerkandkotherkkpeople,kandkhe waskverykpatient.kkHekkpaidkattentionkktokeverybody'skproblems.kkHekkworried aboutkmykwife,kwhokhadkTB,kandkwhetherktherekwouldkbekakkhospitalkoutkthere, andkeverything.kItkwaskthekfirstktimekIkmetkhimkinksuchkakkpersonalkway;kkhe waskakwonderfulkman. kkkkkWekwerekktoldktokkbekkverykcarefulk--knotktokkbuykourkktrainkticetkkin Princeton,kforkexample,kbecausekPrincetonkwaskkakveryksmallkstation,kkandkif everybodykboughtkktrainkkticetsktokAlbuquerque,kNewkkMexico,kkinkPrinceton, therekwouldkkbekksomeksuspicionskkthatksomethingkkwaskkup.kAndksokkeverybody boughtkktheirkkticetsksomewherekelse,kkexceptkkme,kkbecausekkIkkfiguredkkif everybodykboughtktheirkticetsksomewherekelse... kkkkkSokwhenkkIkwentkktokthekktrainkkstationkkandksaid,k"Ikkwantkktokkgokkto Albuquerque,kNewkMexico,"kthekmanksays,k"Oh,ksokallkthiskstuffkiskkforkyou!" Wekhadkbeenkkshippingkkoutkcrateskfullkofkkcounterskkforkweeskandkexpecting thatktheykdidn'tknoticekthekaddresskwaskAlbuquerque.kSokatkleastkIkexplained whykkitkkwaskkthatkkwekwerekshippingkallkkthosekcrates;kIkkwaskgoingkkoutkto Albuquerque. kkkkkWell,kwhenkwekarrived,kthekhouseskandkdormitorieskkandkthingskliekthat wereknotkkready.kInkfact,kevenktheklaboratorieskweren'tkquitekready.kWekwere pushingkkthemkbykkcomingkdownkkaheadkofktime.kSokktheykkjustkkwentkcrazykand rentedkranchkhouseskkallkaroundkkthekneighborhood.kWekkstayedkatkfirstkinkka ranchkhousekandkwouldkdrivekinkinkthekmorning.kThekfirstkmorningkIkdrovekkin wasktremendouslykimpressive.kThekbeautykofkthekscenery,kforkkakkpersonkkfrom thekEastkwhokdidn'tktravelkmuch,kwasksensational.kTherekarekthekgreatkcliffs thatkyou'vekprobablykseenkinkpictures.kYou'dkcomekupkfromkbelowkkandkbekvery surprisedktokkseekthiskhighkkmesa.kThekmostkimpressivekthingktokmekwaskthat, askIkwaskgoingkup,kIksaidkthatkmaybektherekhadkbeenkIndiansklivingkhere,kand thekguykwhokwaskdrivingkstoppedkthekkcarkandkwaledkkaroundkkthekkcornerkand pointedkoutksomekIndiankcaveskthatkyoukcouldkinspect.kItkwaskverykexciting. kkkkkWhenkIkgotktoktheksitekthekfirstktime,kIksawktherekwaskaktechnicalkarea thatkkwaskksupposedktokkhavekakfencekkaroundkitkultimately,kbutkitkwaskstill open.kThenkktherekkwasksupposedktokkbekaktown,kandkkthenkakbigkfencekfurther out,karoundkthektown.kButktheykwerekstillkbuilding,kandkmykfriendkPaulkOlum, whokwaskmykassistant,kkwaskstandingkatkkthekgatekwithkkakclipboard,kchecing thektrucskcomingkinkandkoutkandktellingkthemkwhichkwayktokgoktokdeliverkthe materialskinkdifferentkplaces. kkkkkWhenkIkwentkintokktheklaboratory,kkIkwouldkmeetkmenkIkhadkkheardkofkkby seeingktheirkpaperskinkthekkPhysicalkReviewkandksokon.kkIkhadkneverkmetkthem before.k"ThiskkiskJohnkWilliams,"kthey'dksay.kThenkkakguykkstandskupkkfromka deskthatkiskcoveredkkwithkblueprints,kkhisksleeveskkallkrolledkup,kandkhe's callingkkoutkkthekwindows,korderingkktrucskandkkthingskkgoingkinkkdifferent directionskkkwithkkbuildingkkmaterial.kkInkkotherkkwords,kkthekkexperimental physicistskhadknothingktokdokuntilktheirkbuildingskandkapparatuskwerekready, soktheykjustkbuiltkthekbuildingsk--korkassistedkinkbuildingkthekbuildings. kkkkkThektheoreticalkkphysicists,kkonkkthekotherkkhand,kcouldkkstartkworing rightkaway,ksokitkwaskdecidedkthatktheykwouldn'tkklivekinkkthekranchkhouses, butkwouldklivekupkatktheksite.kWekstartedkworingkimmediately.kTherekwerekno

blacboardskexceptkforkkonekonkwheels,kandkwe'dkkrollkkitkaroundkandkkRobert Serberkwouldkexplainktokuskallkthekthingskthatkthey'dkthoughtkofkinkBereley aboutkkthekatomickkbomb,kandknuclearkphysics,kandkallkthesekthings.kIkdidn't nowkverykmuchkaboutkit;kIkhadkbeenkdoingkotherkindskofkthings.kSokIkhadkto dokankawfulklotkofkwor. kkkkkEverykdaykIkwouldkstudykandkread,kstudykandkread.kItkwaskakkverykhectic time.kButkIkkhadksomekluc.kAllkthekbigkshotskexceptkforkHanskBethekhappened tokkbekawaykatkthektime,kandkwhatkBethekkneededkwasksomeonektokktalkkto,kto pushkhiskideaskagainst.kWell,khekcomeskinktokthisklittleksquirtkinkankoffice andkstartsktokargue,kkexplainingkhiskkidea.kIksay,k"No,kkno,kkyou'rekkcrazy. It'llkgokliekthis."kAndkheksays,k"Justkakmoment,"kandkexplainskhowkhe'sknot crazy,kI'mkcrazy.kAndkwekeepkonkgoingkliekthis.kYouksee,kwhenkIkhearkabout physics,kIkjustkthinkaboutkphysics,kandkIkdon'tknowkwhokI'mktalingkto,kso Ikksaykdopeykthingskliek"no,kno,kyou'rekkwrong,"kork"you'rekcrazy."kkButkit turnedkoutkkthat'skexactlykwhatkkhekneeded.kkIkkgotkaknotchkupkonkaccountkof that,kandkIkendedkupkaskakgroupkleaderkunderkBethekwithkfourkguyskunderkme. kkkkkWell,kwhenkIkwaskfirstkthere,kaskIksaid,kthekdormitorieskweren'tkready. Butkthektheoreticalkkphysicistskhadktokstaykupktherekanyway.kThekfirstkplace theykputkuskwaskinkankoldkschoolkbuildingkk--kakkboys'kschoolkthatkhadkkbeen therekpreviously.kIkklivedkkinkkakthingkcalledkthekMechanics'kLodge.kWekwere allkkjammedkinktherekinkbunkbeds,kandkitkwasn'tkorganizedkverykwellkbecause BobkChristykandkhiskwifekhadktokgokktokthekbathroomkthroughkourkkbedroom.kSo thatkwaskverykuncomfortable. kkkkkAtklastkthekdormitorykwaskbuilt.kIkwentkkdownktokkthekplacekwherekrooms werekassigned,kandkktheykksaid,kyoukcankpickyourkroomknow.kYouknowkwhatkkI did?kIklooedktokkseekwherekkthekgirls'kdormitorykwas,kkandkkthenkIkpicedka roomkthatklooedkrightkkacrosskk--kthoughklaterkIkdiscoveredkakbigktreekkwas growingkrightkinkfrontkofkthekwindowkofkthatkroom. kkkkkTheyktoldkkmektherekwouldkbektwokpeoplekinkakroom,kkbutkthatkwouldkonly bekktemporary.kkEveryktwokroomskwouldksharekkakbathroom,kkandktherekwouldkbe double-decerkbunskinkeachkroom.kButkIkdidn'tkwantktwokpeoplekinkthekroom. kkkkkTheknightkIkgotkthere,knobodykelsekwaskthere,kandkIkkdecidedktokktrykto eepkmykkroomktokmyself.kMykkwifekwasksickwithkTBkinkAlbuquerque,kbutkIkhad somekkboxeskofkstuffkofkhers.kSokIkktookkoutkaklittleknightgown,kopenedkthe topkbed,kandkthrewktheknightgownkcarelesslykonkit.kIktookoutksomekslippers, andkIkthrewksomekkpowderkonkthekfloorkinkthekkbathroom.kIkkjustkmadekitkloo lieksomebodykelsekwaskthere.kSo,kwhatkhappened?kWell,kit'sksupposedktokbeka men'skdormitory,ksee?kSokIkcamekhomekthatknight,kandkkmykpajamaskarekkfolded nicely,kandkputkunderkkthekpillowkatkthekkbottom,kandkmykslipperskputknicely atkthekbottomkofkthekbed.kTheklady'skknightgownkkisknicelykfoldedkunderkkthe pillow,kthekkbedkiskkallkfixedkupkkandkkmade,kandkkthekslipperskarekputkdown nicely.kkThekpowderkkiskcleanedkfromkthekbathroomkandknobodykiskksleepingkin thekupperkbed. kkkkkNextknight,ktheksamekthing.kWhenkIkkwaekup,kIkrumplekupkthektopkbed,kI throwktheknightgownkonkitkksloppilykkandkscatterkthekpowderkinkkthekbathroom andksokkon.kIkwentkonkliekthiskforkkfourknightskuntilkeverybodykwasksettled andkktherekwaskknokmorekkdangerkkthatktheykwouldkputkaksecondkpersonkinkkthe room.kkEachknight,kkeverythingkwasksetkoutkverykneatly,kevenkthoughkitkwaska men'skdormitory. kkkkkIkkdidn'tknowkkitkkthen,kbutkthiskklittlekkrusekkgotkkmekkinvolvedkkin politics.kkTherekkwerekkallkkindskkofkfactionskkthere,kkofkkcoursekk--kkthe housewives'kfaction,kthekmechanics'kfaction,kthektechnicalkpeoples'kfaction, andksokon.kWell,kthekbachelorskandkbachelorkgirlskwhoklivedkinkthekdormitory feltkktheykkhadktokkhavekkakkfactionkktoo,kkbecausekkakknewkkrulekkhadkkbeen promulgated:kkNokkWomenkkinkkthekkMen'skkkDorm.kkWell,kkthiskkiskkabsolutely ridiculous!kAfterkall,kwekarekkgrownkpeople!kWhatkindkofknonsensekkiskthis? Wekhadktokhavekpoliticalkaction.kSokwekdebatedkthiskstuff,kandkIkwaskelected tokrepresentkthekdormitorykpeoplekinkthektownkcouncil. kkkkkAfterkI'dkbeenkinkitkforkaboutkakyearkandkakhalf,kIkwasktalingktokHans Bethekkaboutksomething.kHekwaskonkthekkbigkkgoverningkcouncilkallkthisktime,

andkkIkktoldkhimkkaboutkkthisktrickwithkmykkwife'skknightgownkkandkkbedroom slippers.kHekstartedktoklaugh.k"Sokthat'skhowkyoukgotkonkkthektownkcouncil," heksaid. kkkkkItkturnedkkoutkthatkwhatkhappenedkwaskkthis.kkThekwomankwhokcleanskkthe roomskinkkthekdormitorykopenskthiskkdoor,kkandkkallkkofkkakksuddenkktherekis trouble:ksomebodykisksleepingkwithkonekofkthekguys!kShekreportsktokthekchief charwoman,kkthekchiefkcharwomankreportsktokkthekklieutenant,kthekklieutenant reportsktokthekmajor.kItkkgoeskkallkthekwaykkupkkthroughkthekgeneralsktokthe governingkboard. kkkkkWhatkarektheykgoingkktokdo?kkThey'rekkgoingktokkthinkaboutkit,kkthat's what!kBut,kkinkthekmeantime,kwhatkinstructionskgokdownkthroughkthekcaptains, downkthroughkthekmajors,kthroughktheklieutenants,kkthroughkthekchars'kchief, throughkthekcharwoman?k"Justkputkthingskbackthekwayktheykare,kcleank'emkup, andkseekwhatkhappens."kNextkday,ksamekreport.kForkfourkdays,ktheykworriedkup therekaboutkkwhatktheykwerekgoingktokdo.kFinallyktheykpromulgatedkakrule:kNo WomenkinkthekkMen'skkDormitory!kAndkthatkcausedksuchkakstinkdownkbelowkthat theykhadktokelectksomebodyktokrepresentkthe... kkkkkIkwouldkliekktokktellkyouksomethingkkaboutkthekcensorshipkthatkwekkhad there.kTheykdecidedktokdokksomethingkutterlykkillegalkandkcensorkthekmailkof peoplekinsidekthekUnitedkStatesk--kwhichktheykhaveknokrightktokdo.kSokitkhad tokbekksetkupkverykdelicatelykkaskakkvoluntarykthing.kWekwouldkallkvolunteer notktoksealkthekenvelopeskofkthekletterskwekksentkout,kandkkitkkwouldkbekall rightkkforkkthemkktokkopenkletterskkcomingkinkktokus;kkthatkwaskkvoluntarily acceptedkbykus.kWekwouldkleavekourkletterskopen;kandktheykwouldksealkthemkif theykwerekkOK.kkIfktheykweren'tkkOKkkinktheirkopinion,kktheykwouldksendkkthe letterkbacktokuskwithkaknotekthatktherekwaskakviolationkofkksuchkandksuchka paragraphkofkourk"understanding." kkkkkSo,kverykdelicatelykkamongstkallkthesekliberal-mindedkscientifickkguys, wekkfinallykkgotkthekcensorshipksetkup,kwithkmanykrules.kWekwerekallowedkkto commentkonkthekcharacterkofkkthekadministrationkifkwekwantedkto,ksokwekcould writekourksenatorkandktellkhimkwekdidn'tkkliekthekwaykthingskkwerekrun,kand thingskkliekkthat.kTheyksaidkktheykkwouldkknotifykkuskkifkktherekkwerekkany difficulties. kkkkkSokkitkkwaskallkksetkup,kandkherekkcomeskthekkfirstkdaykforkcensorship: Telephone!kBriiing! kkkkkMe:k"What?" kkkkk"Pleasekcomekdown." kkkkkIkcomekdown. kkkkk"What'skthis?" kkkkk"It'skakletterkfromkmykfather." kkkkk"Well,kwhatkiskit?" kkkkkThere'sklinedkpaper,kandkkthere'sktheseklineskkgoingkkoutkwithkkdotsk-fourkdotskkunder,kkonekdotkabove,ktwokdotskunder,konekkdotkkabove,kdotkunder dot... kkkkk"What'skthat?" kkkkkIksaid,k"It'skakcode." kkkkkTheyksaid,k"Yeah,kit'skakcode,kbutkwhatkdoeskitksay?" kkkkkIksaid,k"Ikdon'tknowkwhatkitksays." kkkkkTheyksaid,k"Well,kwhat'skthekeyktokthekcode?kHowkdokyoukdecipherkit?" kkkkkIksaid,k"Well,kIkdon'tknow." kkkkkThenktheyksaid,k"What'skthis?" kkkkkIksaid,k"It'skakletterkfromkmykwifek--kitksayskTJXYWZkTW1X3." kkkkk"What'skthat?" kkkkkIksaid,k"Anotherkcode." kkkkk"What'skthekeyktokit?" kkkkk"Ikdon'tknow." kkkkkTheyksaid,k"You'rekreceivingkcodes,kandkyoukdon'tknowkthekey?" kkkkkIksaid,k"Precisely.kIkhavekakgame.kkIkchallengekthemktokksendkmekakcode thatkIkcan'tkdecipher,ksee?kSokthey'rekmaingkupkcodeskatkthekotherkend,kand

they'reksendingkthemkin,kandkthey'reknotkgoingktoktellkmekwhatkthekeykis." kkkkkNowkonekofkthekruleskkofkthekcensorshipkkwaskthatktheykkaren'tkgoingkto disturbkkanythingkthatkyoukwouldkordinarilyksendkinkkthekmail.kSoktheyksaid, "Well,kyou'rekgoingktokhavektoktellkkthemkpleasektoksendkthekeykinkwithkthe code." kkkkkIksaid,k"Ikdon'tkwantktokseekthekey!" kkkkkTheyksaid,k"Well,kallkright,kwe'llktaekthekeykout." kkkkkSokwekhadkthatkarrangement.kOK?kAllkright.kNextkdaykIkgetkakletterkfrom mykwifekkthatkksays,kk"It'skkverykdifficultkwritingkbecausekIkfeelkthatkkthe -------splotchkmadekwithkinkeradicator. kkkkkSokIkwentkdownktokthekbureau,kandkIksaid,k"You'reknotksupposedktoktouch thekincomingkmailkifkyoukdon'tkliekit.kYoukkcankklookatkit,kbutkyou'reknot supposedktoktaekanythingkout." kkkkkTheyksaid,k"Don'tkbekkridiculous.kDokkyoukthinkkthat'skthekwaykcensors work--kwithkinkeradicator?kTheykcutkthingskoutkwithkscissors." kkkkkIksaidkOK.kSokIkwrotekakletterkkbacktokkmykwifekandksaid,k"Didkyoukuse inkkeradicatorkkinkkyourkkletter?"kShekkwriteskbac,k"No,kIkdidn'tkkusekin eradicatorkinkmykletter,kitkmustkhavekkbeenkthek_____"k--kandkthere'skakhole cutkoutkofkthekpaper. kkkkkSokkIkwentkbacktokkthekkmajorkwhokwasksupposedktokbekkinkchargekofkall thiskkandkkcomplained.kYouknow,kthisktookakklittlektime,kbutkkIkfeltkIkwas sortkofkthekkrepresentativektokgetkthekkthingkstraightenedkkout.kkThekkmajor triedktokkexplainktokmekthatkthesekpeoplekwhokkwerekkthekkcensorskkhadkkbeen taughtkhowktokdokkit,kbutktheykdidn'tkunderstandkthisknewkwaykthatkwekhadkto beksokdelicatekabout. kkkkkSo,kanyway,kheksaid,kk"What'skthekmatter,kdon'tkyoukkthinkIkkhavekgood will?" kkkkkIkksaid,k"Yes,kyoukhavekkperfectlykgoodkwillkbutkIkdon'tkthinkyoukhave power."kBecause,kyouksee,khekhadkalreadykbeenkonkthekjobkthreekorkfourkdays. kkkkkHeksaid,k"We'llkseekaboutkthat!"kHekgrabskthektelephone,kandkeverything iskstraightenedkout.kNokmorekiskthekletterkcut. kkkkkHowever,kktherekwerekaknumberkofkotherkdifficulties.kkForkexample,kkone daykIkgotkakletterkfromkmykwifekandkaknotekfromkthekcensorkthatksaid,k"There waskakcodekenclosedkwithoutkthekey,kandksokwekremovedkit." kkkkkSokwhenkIkwentktokseekmykwifekinkAlbuquerquekthatkday,ksheksaid,k"Well, where'skallkthekstuff?" kkkkkIksaid,k"Whatkstuff?" kkkkkSheksaid,k"Litharge,kglycerine,khotkdogs,klaundry." kkkkkIksaid,k"Waitkakminutek--kthatkwaskaklist?" kkkkkSheksaid,k"Yes." kkkkk"Thatkkwaskakkcode,"kkIkksaid.kk"Theykkthoughtkitkwaskakkcode-litharge, glycerine,ketc."kk(Shekwantedklithargekandkglycerinektokmaekakcementktokfix ankonyxkbox.) kkkkkAllkkthiskwentkkonkinkkthekfirstkkfewkweeskkbeforekkwekkgotkeverything straightenedkkout.kAnyway,konekdaykkI'mkkpiddlingkaroundkwithkkthekcomputing machine,kandkIknoticeksomethingkverykpeculiar.kIfkyouktaek1kkdividedkbyk243 youkgetk.004115226337...kIt'skquitekcute:kItkgoeskkakklittlekcoceyedkkafter 559kwhenkkyou'rekcarryingkbutkitksoonkkstraightenskitselfkkoutkkandkkrepeats itselfknicely.kIkthoughtkitkwaskindkofkamusing. kkkkkWell,kkIkputkthatkinkthekmail,kandkitkcomeskbackktokme.kkItkdoesn'tkgo through,kkandkkthere'skkaklittleknote:k"LookatkkParagraphkk17B."kIkklookat Paragraphk17B.kItksays,k"LetterskarektokbekwrittenkonlykinkEnglish,kRussian, Spanish,kkPortuguese,kLatin,kGerman,kandkksokforth.kkPermissionkktokusekkany otherklanguagekmustkbekobtainedkinkwriting."kAndkthenkitksaid,k"Nokcodes." kkkkkSokIkwrotekbacktokthekcensorkaklittleknotekincludedkinkmykletterkwhich saidkkthatkIkkfeelkthatkkofkcoursekthiskcannotkbekkakkcode,kbecausekkifkkyou actuallykdokdividek1kbykk243,kkyoukdo,kinkfact,kkgetkallkthat,kandktherefore there'sknokmorekinformationkinktheknumberk.004115226337...kkthanktherekiskin theknumberk243k--kwhichkiskkhardlykanykinformationkkatkall.kAndkksokforth.kI

thereforekkasedkforkpermissionktokusekArabickknumeralskkinkmykletters.kSokI gotkthatkthroughkallkright. kkkkkTherekwaskkalwayskksomekindkofkdifficultykkwithkthekletterskgoingkbac andkkforth.kkForkexample,kmykkwifekeptkkmentioningkkthekkfactkthatkshekfelt uncomfortablekwritingkwithkthekfeelingkthatkthekcensorkiskklooingkoverkkher shoulder.kNow,kaskakrule,kkwekkaren'tkksupposedktokkmentionkkcensorship.kkWe aren't,kbutkhowkcanktheykktellkher?kSoktheykeepkksendingkmekkaknote:kk"Your wifekmentionedkkcensorship."kkCertainly,kkmykkwifekmentionedkkcensorship.kSo finallykktheykksentkmekaknotekkthatkksaid,kk"Pleasekinformkyourkkwifeknotkto mentionkkcensorshipkinkherkkletters."kkSokkIkkstartkkmykletter:k"Ikhavekbeen instructedktokkinformkyouknotktokmentionkcensorshipkinkyourkletters."kPhoom, phoooom,kitkcomeskkrightkbac!kSokIkwrite,k"Ikhavekbeenkinstructedktokinform mykkwifekknotktokkmentionkkcensorship.kHowkinkthekheckamkIkgoingkktokdokit? Furthermore,kwhykdokIkhavektokinstructkherknotkktokkmentionkcensorship?kkYou eepingksomethingkfromkme?" kkkkkItkiskverykinterestingkthatkkthekkcensorkhimselfkhasktoktellkmektoktell mykwifeknotktoktellkmekthatkshe's...kButktheykhadkankanswer.kTheyksaid,kyes, thatkktheykkarekkworriedkkaboutkkmailkkbeingkkinterceptedkonkkthekkwaykkfrom Albuquerque,kandkthatksomeonekmightkfindkkoutkthatktherekkwaskkcensorshipkif theyklooedkinkthekmail,kandkwouldkshekpleasekactkmuchkmoreknormal. kkkkkSokIkkwentkdownktheknextktimektokAlbuquerque,kandkIktaledktokherkandkI said,kk"Now,kloo,klet'sknotkmentionkkcensorship."kkButkkwekkhadkhadksokmuch troublekthatkwekatklastkworedkoutkakcode,ksomethingkillegal.kIfkIkwouldkput akdotkatkthekendkkofkmyksignature,kitkmeantkIkhadkhadktroublekagain,kandkshe wouldkmovekonktoktheknextkofkthekmoveskthatkshekhadkconcocted.kShekwouldksit therekallkkdayklong,kbecausekkshekwaskill,kkandkshekwouldkthinkofkthingskto do.kTheklastkthingkkshekdidkkwasktoksendkmekankadvertisementkwhichkshekfound perfectlyklegitimately.kkItkksaid,k"Sendkyourkboyfriendkakletterkonkakjigsaw puzzle.kWeksellkkyoukthekkblan,kkyoukkwritekthekletterkkonkit,ktaekkitkall apart,kputkitkinkakklittleksac,kandkkmailkit."kIkreceivedkkthatkkonekwithka noteksaying,k"Wekdoknotkhavekktimektokplaykgames.kPleasekinstructkyourkkwife tokconfinekherselfktokordinarykletters." kkkkkWell,kwekwerekreadykkwithkthekonekmorekdot,kbutkktheykstraightenedkkout justkinktimekkandkwekdidn'tkkhavektokusekit.kThekthingkwekhadkkreadykforkthe nextkonekwaskkthatkthekletterkkwouldkstart,k"Ikhopekyoukkrememberedkktokopen thiskkletterkcarefullykbecausekIkhavekincludedkthekPepto-Bismolkkpowderkkfor yourkstomachkkaskwekarranged."kItkwouldkbekakkletterkfullkofkpowder.kInkkthe officekwekexpectedktheykkwouldkopenkitkquicly,kthekpowderkwouldkgokallkover thekfloor,kandkktheykkwouldkkgetkkallkkupsetkbecausekyoukareknotksupposedkto upsetkanything.kkThey'dkkhavektokkgatherkupkallkthiskPepto-Bismol...kkButkwe didn'tkhavektokusekthatkone. kkkkkAskakresultkofkallkkthesekexperienceskkwithkthekkcensor,kIknewkexactly whatkcouldkkgetkthroughkandkwhatkkcouldknotkgetkthrough.kNobodykelseknewkas wellkaskI.kAndksokIkmadekaklittlekmoneykoutkofkallkofkthiskbykmaingkbets. kkkkkOnekdaykIkdiscoveredkthatkthekwormenkwhokklivedkfurtherkoutkandkwanted tokcomekinkwerektooklazyktokgokaroundkthroughkthekgate,kandkksoktheykhadkcut themselveskakholekkinkthekfence.kSokkIkwentkoutkkthekgate,kwentkkoverktokthe holekandkcamekin,kwentkoutkagain,kandkksokon,kuntilktheksergeantkatkthekgate beganktokwonderkkwhatkwaskkhappening.kkHowkcomekthiskguykiskalwayskgoingkout andkneverkcomingkin?kAnd,kkofkkcourse,khisknaturalkreactionkwasktokcallkkthe lieutenantkandktryktokputkmekinkjailkforkdoingkthis.kIkexplainedkkthatkthere waskakhole. kkkkkYouksee,kIkwaskalwaysktryingktokstraightenkpeoplekout.kAndksokIkmadekka betkwithksomebodykthatkIkcouldktellkaboutkthekholekinkthekfencekinkakletter, andkmailkitkkout.kAndksurekenough,kkIkdid.kAndkkthekwaykIkdidkitkwaskIksaid, Youkkshouldkseekkthekkwayktheykkadministerkthiskplacek(that'skkwhatkkwekwere allowedktokksay).kThere'skakkholekinkthekfencekkseventy-onekkfeetkawaykkfrom such-and-suchkkakplace,kthat'skkthisksizekandkkthatksize,kthatkyoukcankkwal through. kkkkkNow,kwhatkcanktheykdo?kTheykcan'tksayktokmekthatktherekisknoksuchkhole.

Ikmean,kkwhatkkarektheykgoingktokdo?kIt'skktheirkownkkhardkluckthatkthere's suchkakhole.kTheykshouldkfixkthekhole.kSokIkgotkthatkonekthrough. kkkkkIkalsokgotkthroughkakletterkkthatkktoldkkaboutkhowkkonekofkthekboyskwho woredkinkonekofkmykgroups,kkJohnkKemeny,khadkbeenkwaenedkupkkinkthekmiddle ofktheknightkandkgrilledkkwithklightskinkfrontkkofkhimkbyksomekidiotskinkthe armykktherekbecausekktheykfoundkkoutkksomethingkkaboutkhiskkfather,kkwhokwas supposedktokbekakcommunistkorksomething.kKemenykiskakfamouskmanknow. kkkkkTherekwerekkotherkthings.kkLiekthekholekinkkthekkfence,kkIkkwaskalways tryingktokkpointkthesekthingskoutkinkkaknon-directkkmanner.kkAndkkonekofkthe thingskIkwantedktokpointkoutkwaskthiskk--kthatkkatkthekverykbeginningkwekhad terriblykkimportantksecrets;kkwe'dkworedkoutklotskofkstuffkaboutkbombskkand uraniumkandkkhowkitkkwored,kandksokon;kandkallkthiskkstuffkwaskinkdocuments thatkkwerekkinkkwoodenkfilingkcabinetskkthatkhadkklittle,kkordinary,kkcommon padlocskonkthem.kkOfkcourse,kktherekwerekkvariouskthingskkmadekbykthekshop, liekakrodkkthatkkwouldkkgokkdownkandkthenkakpadlocktokkholdkit,kbutkitkwas alwayskjustkakpadloc.kFurthermore,kyoukcouldkgetkthekstuffkoutkwithoutkeven openingkthekkpadloc.kYoukkjustktiltkthekkcabinetkoverkbacwards.kThekbottom drawerkhaskkaklittlekkrodkthat'sksupposedkktokkholdkthekpapersktogether,kand there'skaklongkwidekholekinkthekwoodkunderneath.kYoukcankpullkthekpaperskout fromkbelow. kkkkkSokIkusedktokpicktheklocskallkthektimekandkpointkoutkthatkitkwaskvery easyktokdo.kAndkeveryktimekwekhadkakmeetingkofkeverybodykktogether,kIkkwould getkupkandksaykthatkwekhavekimportantksecretskandkkwekshouldn'tkeepkthemkin suchkthings;kwekneedkbetterklocs.kOnekdaykTellerkgotkupkatkthekmeeting,kand heksaidktokme,k"Ikdon'tkeepkmykmostkimportantksecretskinkmykfilingkcabinet; Ikeepkthemkinkmykdeskdrawer.kIsn'tkthatkbetter?" kkkkkIksaid,k"Ikdon'tknow.kIkhaven'tkseenkyourkdeskdrawer." kkkkkHekwaskksittingknearkthekkfrontkofkthekmeeting,kandkI'mksittingkfurther bac.kSokkthekmeetingkcontinues,kandkIksneakoutkandkgokdownktokseekhiskdes drawer. kkkkkIkdon'tkkevenkhavektokpicktheklockkonkthekkdeskdrawer.kkItkturnskout thatkifkyoukkputkyourkkhandkkinkkthekbac,kunderneath,kyoukcankkpullkoutkthe paperkkliekkthosektoiletkpaperkkdispensers.kkYoukpullkkoutkkone,kkitkkpulls another,kitkpullskanother...kIkemptiedkthekwholekdamnkdrawer,kputkeverything awayktokonekside,kandkwentkbackupstairs. kkkkkThekmeetingkwaskjustkending,kandkeverybodykwaskcomingkout,kandkIkjoined thekcrewkandkranktokcatchkupkwithkTeller,kandkIksaid,k"Oh,kkbykthekkway,klet mekseekyourkdeskdrawer." kkkkk"Certainly,"kheksaid,kandkhekshowedkmekthekdes. kkkkkIklooedkatkitkandksaid,k"Thatklooskprettykkgoodktokme.kLet'skseekwhat youkhavekinkthere." kkkkk"I'llkbekverykgladktokshowkitktokkyou,"kheksaid,kputtingkinkthekeykand openingkthekdrawer.k"If,"kheksaid,k"youkhadn'tkalreadykseenkitkyourself." kkkkkThektroublekwithkkplayingkaktrickonkakhighlykintelligentkmankliekkMr. Tellerkiskthatkthektimekitktaeskhimkktokfigurekoutkkfromkthekmomentkthatkhe seesktherekkisksomethingkwrongktillkhekunderstandskexactlykwhatkkhappenedkis tookdamnksmallktokgivekyoukanykpleasure! kkkkkSomekkofkkthekkspecialkkproblemskkIkkhadkkatkkLoskkAlamoskkwerekkrather interesting.kOnekthingkhadktokdokwithktheksafetykofkkthekplantkatkOakRidge, Tennessee.kLoskAlamoskwaskgoingktokmaekthekbomb,kbutkatkOakRidgektheykwere tryingktokkseparatekthekisotopeskofkkuraniumk--kuraniumk238kandkuraniumk235, thekkexplosivekone.kTheykkwerekjustkbeginningkktokkgetkinfinitesimalkamounts fromkankexperimentalkthingkofk235,kandkatktheksamektimektheykwerekpracticing thekchemistry.kkTherekwaskgoingktokkbekkakbigkplant,ktheykwerekgoingktokhave vatskofkthekstuff,kandkthenktheykwerekgoingkktoktaekthekkpurifiedkstuffkand repurifykandkkgetkitkreadykkforktheknextkkstage.k(Youkhavektokkpurifykitkkin severalkstages.)kSoktheykwerekpracticingkonkthekonekhand,kandktheykwerekjust gettingkkakklittlekkbitkkofkkU235kkfromkkonekkofkkthekkpieceskkofkkapparatus experimentallykonkthekotherkhand.kAndktheykwerektryingktoklearnkhowktokassay

it,ktokdeterminekkhowkmuchkuraniumk235ktherekkiskinkit.kThoughkwekwouldksend themkinstructions,ktheykneverkgotkitkright. kkkkkSokfinallykEmilkSegreksaidkthatkthekkonlykpossiblekwaykktokgetkitkright waskforkhimktokgokdownktherekandkseekwhatktheykwerekdoing.kkThekkarmykpeople said,k"No,kitkiskourkpolicyktokeepkallkthekinformationkofkLoskAlamoskatkone place." kkkkkThekpeoplekinkkOakkRidgekdidn'tknowkkanythingkaboutkwhatkitkwasktokbe usedkfor;ktheykjustkknewkkwhatkktheykwerektryingkktokkdo.kIkmeankthekhigher peopleknewktheykwerekseparatingkuranium,kbutktheykdidn'tkknowkhowkpowerful thekbombkwas,korkexactlykkhowkitkkworedkorkanything.kThekpeoplekkunderneath didn'tknowkatkallkwhatktheykwerekdoing.kAndkthekarmykwantedktokeepkitkthat way.kTherekkwaskknokinformationkkgoingkkbackkandkforth.kkButkSegrekinsisted they'dkneverkgetkthekassayskright,kandkthekwholekthingkwouldkgokupkinksmoe. Sokhekfinallykkwentkdownktokseekwhatktheykwerekdoing,kandkaskhekkwaskwaling throughkheksawkthemkwheelingkaktankcarboykofkwater,kgreenkwaterk--kwhichkis uraniumknitrateksolution. kkkkkHeksaid,kk"Uh,kyou'rekgoingkktokkhandlekitkliekthatkwhenkit'skpurified too?kIskthatkwhatkyou'rekgoingktokdo?" kkkkkTheyksaid,k"Surek--kwhyknot?" kkkkk"Won'tkitkexplode?"kheksaid. kkkkkHuh!kExplode? kkkkkThenkthekarmyksaid,k"Youksee!kWekshouldn'tkhavekletkanykinformationkget tokthem!kNowktheykarekallkupset." kkkkkItkturnedkkoutkthatkthekarmykhadkrealizedkhowkmuchkstuffkwekkneededkkto maekakbombk--ktwentykilogramskorkwhateverkitkwask--kandktheykrealizedkthat thiskmuchkmaterial,kpurified,kwouldkneverkkbekinkthekplant,ksoktherekwaskkno danger.kButktheykkdidkknotkknowkkthatkkthekkneutronskkwerekenormouslykkmore effectivekwhenktheykarekslowedkdownkinkwater.kInkwaterkitktaesklesskthankka tenthk--kno,kkakkhundredthk--kaskmuchkmaterialktokmaekakreactionkthatkmaes radioactivity.kItkillskpeoplekaroundkandksokkon.kItkwaskverykdangerous,kand theykhadknotkpaidkanykattentionktoktheksafetykatkall. kkkkkSokaktelegramkgoeskfromkkOppenheimerkktokSegre:kk"Gokthroughkthekentire plant.kkNoticekwherekkallkthekconcentrationskkareksupposedkktokbe,kkwithkthe processkkasktheykkdesignedkkit.kWekkwillkkcalculatekinkthekmeantimekhowkmuch materialkcankcomektogetherkbeforekthere'skankexplosion." kkkkkTwokkgroupskstartedkkworingkkonkkit.kChristy'skkgroupkworedkonkkwater solutionskkandkmykgroupkworedkkonkdrykpowderkkinkboxes.kWekcalculatedkabout howkmuchkmaterialktheykcouldkaccumulateksafely.kkAndkChristykwaskgoingktokgo downkandktellkthemkkallkatkkOakRidgekwhatktheksituationkkwas,kbecausekkthis wholekthingkiskkbroenkdownkandkwekkhavektokgokdownkandkktellkthemknow.kSokI happilykgavekallkmyknumbersktokChristykandksaid,kyoukhavekkallkthekstuff,kso go.kChristykgotkpneumonia;kIkhadktokgo. kkkkkIkhadkneverktraveledkonkkankairplanekbefore.kTheykkstrappedktheksecrets inkkaklittlekthingkkonkmykbac!kThekkairplanekinkkthosekdayskwaskliekakbus, exceptkthekkstationskwerekkfurtherkapart.kYoukstoppedkkoffkeverykkoncekkinka whilektokwait. kkkkkTherekwaskkakguykkstandingkktherekknextkktokmekswingingkakchain,ksaying somethingklie,k"Itkmustkbekterriblykdifficultktokflykwithoutkakprioritykkon airplaneskthesekdays." kkkkkIkcouldn'tkresist.kIksaid,k"Well,kIkdon'tknow.kIkhavekakpriority." kkkkkAklittlekbitklaterkhektriedkkagain.kk"Therekkarekksomekgeneralskcoming. Theykarekgoingktokputkoffksomekofkusknumberkthrees." kkkkk"It'skallkright,"kIksaid.k"I'mkaknumberktwo." kkkkkHekprobablykwrotektokkhiskcongressmankk--kkifkhekkwasn'tkakkcongressman himselfk--ksaying,k"Whatkarektheykkdoingksendingkktheseklittlekkidskkaround withknumberktwokprioritieskinkthekmiddlekofkthekwar?" kkkkkAtkanykkrate,kkIkarrivedkatkOakRidge.kkThekkfirstkthingkIkdidkwaskhave themktaekmektokthekplant,kandkIksaidknothing.kIkjustkklooedkatkeverything. IkkfoundkoutkthatktheksituationkwaskevenkkworsekthankSegrekreported,kbecause hekknoticedkcertainkboxeskinkbigklotskinkakroom,kbutkhekdidn'tkknoticekaklot

ofkkboxeskinkanotherkroomkonkthekkotherkksidekofktheksamekwallk--kandkthings liekthat.kNow,kifkyoukhavektookmuchkstuffktogether,kitkgoeskup,kyouksee. kkkkkSokIkwentkthroughkthekentirekplant.kIkkhavekakverykbadkmemory,kbutkwhen IkworkintensivelykIkkhavekakgoodkshort-termkmemory,kandksokIkcouldkremember allkindskofkcrazykthingskliekbuildingk90-207,kvatknumberkso-and-so,kandkso forth. kkkkkIkwentktokkmykkroomkkthatkknight,kkandkwentkkthroughkkthekkwholekthing, explainedkwherekallkthekdangerskwere,kkandkwhatkyoukwouldkkhavektokdoktokfix this.kIt'skratherkeasy.kYoukkputkcadmiumkinksolutionsktokabsorbkthekneutrons inkkthekkwater,kandkkyoukseparatekkthekboxeskksokktheykarekknotkktookkdense, accordingktokcertainkrules. kkkkkTheknextkdayktherekwaskgoingkktokbekakbigkmeeting.kIkforgotktoksaykthat beforekIkleftkLoskAlamoskOppenheimerksaidktokme,k"Now,kkthekfollowingkpeople arektechnicallykkablekkdownkktherekkatkkOakkRidge:kkMr.kkJuliankkWebb,kkMr. So-and-so,kandkksokon.kIkwantkyouktokmaeksurekthatkkthesekpeoplekarekatkthe meeting,kthatkyouktellkthemkkhowkthekthingkcankkbekmadeksafe,kksokkthatkthey reallykunderstand." kkkkkIksaid,k"Whatkifkthey'reknotkatkthekmeeting?kWhatkamkIksupposedktokdo?" kkkkkHekksaid,kk"Thenkkyoukkkshouldkksay:kkLoskkAlamoskkcannotkkkacceptkkthe responsibilitykforktheksafetykofkthekOakRidgekplantkunless...!" kkkkkIksaid,k"Youkkmeankme,klittlekRichard,kiskgoingktokgokkinktherekandksay --?" kkkkkHeksaid,k"Yes,klittlekRichard,kyoukgokandkdokthat." kkkkkIkreallykgrewkupkfast! kkkkkWhenkkIkkarrived,ksurekenough,kthekbigkkshotskinkkthekkcompanykkandkthe technicalkpeoplekthatkIkwantedkwerekthere,kandkthekgeneralskandkeveryonekwho waskinterestedkinkthiskverykseriouskproblem.kThatkwaskgoodkbecausekthekplant wouldkhavekblownkupkifknobodykhadkpaidkattentionktokthiskproblem. kkkkkTherekwaskakLieutenantkZumwaltkwhoktookcarekofkme.kHektoldkmekthatkthe colonelksaidkIkshouldn'tktellkthemkhowkthekneutronskworkandkallkthekdetails becausekwekwantkktokeepkthingskseparate,kksokjustktellkkthemkwhatkktokdokto eepkitksafe. kkkkkIksaid,k"Inkmykkopinionkitkiskkimpossiblekforkkthemktokobeykakkbunchkof ruleskunlessktheykkunderstandkhowkkitkwors.kIt'skkmykopinionkthatkit'skonly goingkkktokkworkkkifkkIkktellkkthem,kkandkkLoskkAlamoskkcannotkkacceptkkthe responsibilitykforkktheksafetykofkthekOakRidgekkplantkunlessktheykarekfully informedkasktokhowkitkwors!" kkkkkItkwaskkgreat.kkTheklieutenantkktaeskmektokkthekcolonelkandkrepeatskmy remar.kkThekcolonelkksays,k"Justkkfivekkminutes,"kandkthenkkhekkgoesktokthe windowkandkhekstopskandkthins.kThat'skwhatkthey'rekkverykkgoodkatk--kmaing decisions.kIkthoughtkitkwaskverykremarablekhowkkakproblemkofkwhetherkorknot informationkasktokhowkthekbombkworskshouldkbekinkthekOakRidgekplantkhadkto bekdecidedkandkcouldkbekkdecidedkinkfivekminutes.kSokkIkhavekakgreatkdealkof respectkkforkthesekmilitarykguys,kbecausekIkneverkkcankdecidekkanythingkvery importantkinkanyklengthkofktimekatkall. kkkkkInkfivekminuteskheksaid,k"Allkright,kMr.kFeynman,kgokahead." kkkkkIksatkdownkandkIktoldkthemkallkaboutkneutrons,khowktheykkwored,kdakda, takktakta,kktherekarekktookmanykneutronskktogether,kyou'vekkgotkktokeepkthe materialkapart,kkcadmiumkabsorbs,kkandkslowkneutronskarekmorekeffectivekthan fastkneutrons,kkandkyakkyak--kallkofkkwhichkkwaskelementarykstuffkkatkkLos Alamos,kbutktheykkhadkkneverkkheardkkofkanykkofkit,ksokkIkappearedktokkbekka tremendouskgeniusktokthem. kkkkkThekresultkwaskthatktheykdecidedktoksetkupklittlekgroupsktokmaekktheir ownkcalculationsktoklearnkhowktokdokit.kTheykstartedktokredesignkplants,kand thekdesignerskofkkthekplantskkwerekkthere,kkthekkconstructionkdesigners,kand engineers,kandkchemicalkengineerskforktheknewkplantkthatkwaskgoingktokhandle thekseparatedkmaterial. kkkkkTheyktoldkmekktokcomekbackinkkakfewkmonths,kksokkIkcamekbackwhenkkthe engineerskhadkfinishedkthekdesignkofkthekplant.kNowkitkwaskforkmektoklookat thekplant.

kkkkkHowkdokkyoukklookkatkakplantkthatkkisn'tkkbuiltkkyet?kkIkkdon'tkknow. LieutenantkkZumwalt,kwhokwaskalwayskcomingkaroundkkwithkmekkbecausekIkhadkto havekankescortkeverywhere,ktaeskmekintokthiskroomkwherektherekarekthesektwo engineerskkandkkakkloooooongkktablekkcoveredkkwithkkakkstackkofkkblueprints representingkthekvariouskfloorskofkthekproposedkplant. kkkkkIktookmechanicalkdrawingkwhenkIkwaskkinkkschool,kbutkIkkamknotkgoodkat readingkkblueprints.kSoktheykkunrollkthekstackkofkkblueprintskandkstartkkto explainkitktokme,kthiningkIkamkakgenius.kNow,konekofkthekthingsktheykhadkto avoidkinkthekkplantkwaskaccumulation.kTheykhadkproblemskliekwhenkthere'skan evaporatorkkworing,kwhichkkisktryingktokkaccumulatekthekstuff,kifkthekvalve getskstuckkorksomethingkkliekthatkandkktookmuchkstuffkkaccumulates,kkit'll explode.kSoktheykexplainedktokmekkthatkthiskplantkiskdesignedksokthatkifkany onekkvalvekgetskstuckknothingkkwillkhappen.kkItkneedskatkkleastktwokkvalves everywhere. kkkkkThenktheykexplainkhowkitkwors.kThekcarbonktetrachloridekcomeskinkhere, thekuraniumknitratekfromkherekcomeskinkhere,kitkgoeskupkandkdown,kitkgoeskup throughkthekfloor,kkcomeskkupkkthroughkkthekpipes,kcomingkupkfromktheksecond floor,kbluuuuurpk--kgoingkthroughkthekstackofkblueprints,kkdown-up-down-up, talingkverykfast,kexplainingkthekvery,kverykcomplicatedkchemicalkplant. kkkkkI'mkcompletelykkdazed.kkWorse,kIkkdon'tkknowkkwhatkthekksymbolskonkthe blueprintkkmean!kTherekisksomekindkofkakthingkthatkkatkkfirstkIkkthinkiska window.kIt'skakksquarekwithkaklittlekcrosskinkthekmiddle,kallkkoverkthekdamn place.kIkthinkit'skakwindow,kbutkno,kitkcan'tkbekakwindow,kbecausekitkisn't alwayskatkthekedge.kIkwantktokaskthemkwhatkitkis. kkkkkYoukmustkkhavekbeenkinkkakksituationkliekthiskwhenkyoukdidn'tkaskthem rightkaway.kRightkawaykitkwouldkhavekbeenkOK.kButknowkthey'vekbeenktalingka littlekbitktooklong.kYoukhesitatedktooklong.kIfkkyoukkaskthemkknowkkthey'll say,k"Whatkarekyoukwastingkmyktimekallkthisktimekfor?" kkkkkWhatkkamkIkgoingktokkdo?kIkgetkankidea.kMaybekit'skkakvalve.kkIktaekmy fingerkandkkIkputkkitkdownkkonkonekofkthekmysteriouskklittlekcrosseskinkkthe middlekofkonekofkthekblueprintskonkpagekthree,kkandkkIksay,k"Whatkhappenskif thiskkvalvekkgetskstuc?"k--kfiguringkthey'rekgoingkktoksay,k"That'skknotkka valve,ksir,kthat'skakwindow." kkkkkSokoneklooskatkthekotherkandksays,k"Well,kifkthatkvalvekgetskstuck--" andkhekgoeskupkandkdownkonkthekblueprint,kupkandkdown,kthekotherkguykgoeskup andkdown,kbackandkforth,kbackandkforth,kandktheykbothkklookatkeachkother. Theykkturnkaroundktokmekandktheykopenktheirkmouthskliekkastonishedkfishkand say,k"You'rekabsolutelykright,ksir." kkkkkSoktheykrolledkupkthekblueprintskandkawayktheykkwentkandkwekwaledkout. AndkkMr.kZumwalt,kkwhokhadkkbeenkkfollowingkkmekallkkthekkwaykthrough,ksaid, "You'rekakgenius.kIkgotkthekideakyoukwerekakgeniuskwhenkyoukwentkthroughkthe plantkoncekandkyoukcouldktellkthemkaboutkevaporatorkkC-21kinkbuildingk90-207 thekknextkkmorning,"kheksays,k"butkwhatkyoukhavekjustkdonekisksokfantastickI wantktoknowkhow,khowkdokyoukdokthat?" kkkkkIktoldkhimkyouktryktokfindkoutkwhetherkit'skakvalvekorknot. kkkkkAnotherkindkkofkproblemkIkworedkonkkwaskthis.kkWekhadktokkdoklotskkof calculations,kkandkwekdidkthemkonkMarchantkcalculatingkmachines.kBykthekway, justktokgivekyoukankideakofkwhatkLoskAlamoskwasklie:kkWekhadkthesekMarchant computerskk--kkhandkkcalculatorskkwithkknumbers.kkYoukpushkkthem,kkandkkthey multiply,kkdivide,kadd,kandksokon,kbutkknotkeasykliektheykdoknow.kTheykwere mechanicalkkgadgets,kkfailingkkoften,kkandktheykkhadkktokbeksentkbacktokthe factorykktokbekrepaired.kPrettyksoonkyoukwerekrunningkoutkofkmachines.kAkfew ofkuskstartedktokktaekthekkcoverskoffkk(Wekweren'tksupposedkkto.kThekkrules read:k"Youktaekthekcoverskoff,kwekcannotkbekresponsible...")kSokwektookthe coverskoffkandkwekgotkakknicekserieskkofklessonskonkhowkktokfixkthem,kandkwe gotkbetterkandkbetterkatkitkaskwekgotkmorekandkmorekkelaboratekrepairs.kWhen wekgotksomethingktookcomplicated,kweksentkkitkbacktokthekfactory,kkbutkwe'd dokkthekkeasykkoneskandkeptkthekkthingskkgoing.kkIkendedkupkkdoingkallkkthe computerskkandkktherekkwaskkakkguykinkkthekkmachinekkshopkwhokktookcarekkof typewriters.

kkkkkAnyway,kwekdecidedkthatkkthekkbigkproblemk--kwhichkkwaskktokkfigurekout exactlykwhatkkhappenedkduringkkthekbomb'skimplosion,ksokkyoukcankfigurekkout exactlykkhowkmuchkkenergykkwaskreleasedkkandkksokkonkk--kkrequiredkmuchkmore calculatingkthankwekwerekcapablekof.kAkcleverkfellowkbyktheknamekofkkStanley FranelkkrealizedkthatkitkcouldkpossiblykkbekdonekonkIBMkkmachines.kThekkIBM companykkhadkkmachineskkforkkbusinesskkpurposes,kkaddingkkkmachineskkkcalled tabulatorskkforklistingksums,kandkakmultiplierkthatkyoukputkkcardskinkandkit wouldktaektwokknumberskkfromkakkcardkandkkmultiplykkthem.kkTherekwerekkalso collatorskandksorterskandksokon. kkkkkSokkFranelkfiguredkkoutkkakknicekkprogram.kIfkwekgotkkenoughkofkkthese machineskinkkakroom,kwekcouldktaekthekcardskandkputkthemkkthroughkkakcycle. EverybodykwhokdoesknumericalkcalculationsknowknowskexactlykwhatkI'mktaling about,kbutkthiskkwaskkindkkofkakknewkkthingkthenk--kkmasskkproductionkkwith machines.kWekhadkdonekkthingskkliekthiskonkaddingkkmachines.kUsuallykyoukgo onekstepkkacross,kdoingkeverythingkyourself.kButkthiskwaskdifferentk--kwhere youkgokfirstktokthekadder,kthenktokthekmultiplier,kthenktokthekadder,kandkso on.kkSokFranelkdesignedkthisksystemkandkorderedkthekmachineskkfromkthekkIBM company,kbecausekwekrealizedkitkwaskakgoodkwaykofksolvingkourkproblems. kkkkkWekneededkkakmankktokrepairkkthekkmachines,kktokkeepkkthemkkgoingkkand everything.kAndkthekarmykwaskkalwayskgoingktoksendkthiskfellowktheykhad,kbut hekwaskalwayskdelayed.kNow,kwekalwayskwerekinkakhurry.kEverythingkwekdid,kwe triedktokdokaskquiclykaskpossible.kInkkthiskparticularkcase,kkwekworedkout allkktheknumericalkstepskthatkthekmachineskwereksupposedktokkdok--kkmultiply this,kandkthenkkdokthis,kandksubtractkthat.kThenkkwekworedkoutkthekprogram, butkwekdidn'tkhavekanykkmachinektoktestkitkon.kSokweksetkkupkkthiskroomkwith girlskinkit.kEachkonekhadkakMarchant:kkonekkwaskthekmultiplier,kkanotherkwas thekadder.kThiskonekcubedk--kallkkshekdidkwaskcubekaknumberkonkankindexkcard andksendkitktoktheknextkgirl. kkkkkWekwentkkthroughkourkcyclekkthiskwaykuntilkwekgotkallkkthekbugskout.kIt turnedkoutkthatkthekspeedkatkwhichkwekwerekablektokdokitkwaskakhellkofkaklot fasterkthankkthekotherkway,kwherekeveryksinglekpersonkdidkallktheksteps.kkWe gotkspeedkwithkthisksystemkthatkwaskthekpredictedkspeedkforkthekIBMkmachine. ThekonlykdifferencekiskthatkthekIBMkmachineskdidn'tkgetktiredkandkcouldkwor threekshifts.kButkthekgirlskgotktiredkafterkakwhile. kkkkkAnyway,kkwekkgotkthekkbugskoutkduringkkthiskkprocess,kandkkfinallykkthe machineskarrived,kkbutknotkkthekkrepairman.kkThesekkwereksomekkofkkthekkmost complicatedkkmachineskofkthekktechnologykofkthosekdays,kbigkthingskthatkcame partiallykdisassembled,kwithkklotskofkwireskandkblueprintskofkwhatktokdo.kWe wentkdownkkandkwekputkkthemktogether,kStankFranelkandkIkandkanotherkfellow, andkwekhadkourktroubles.kMostkofkthektroublekwaskthekbigkshotskcomingkinkall thektimekandksaying,k"You'rekgoingktokbreaksomething!" kkkkkWekputkthemktogether,kandksometimesktheykwouldkwor,kandksometimeskthey werekputktogetherkwrongkandkktheykdidn'tkwor.kFinallykIkwaskworingkonksome multiplierkkandkIksawkakkbentkpartkinside,kbutkIkwaskafraidktokstraightenkit becausekitkmightksnapkkoffkk--kandktheykwerekalwaysktellingkuskwekwerekgoing tokkbustkksomethingkkirreversibly.kWhenkthekrepairmankfinallykkgotkthere,khe fixedkthekmachineskwekhadn'tkgotkready,kandkeverythingkwaskgoing.kButkhekhad troublekwithkthekonekthatkIkhadkhadktroublekwith.kkAfterkthreekdayskkhekkwas stillkworingkonkthatkoneklastkmachine. kkkkkIkwentkdown.kIksaid,k"Oh,kIknoticedkthatkwaskbent." kkkkkHeksaid,k"Oh,kofkcourse.kkThat'skkallktherekisktokit!"kBend!kItkwaskall right.kSokthatkwaskit. kkkkkWell,kMr.kkFranel,kwhokstartedkkthiskprogram,kbeganktoksufferkfromkthe computerkdiseasekthatkanybodykwhokworskwithkcomputersknowknowskabout.kIt's akkverykkseriouskdiseasekkandkitkkinterfereskcompletelykwithkthekkwor.kkThe troublekwithkkcomputerskkiskyoukplaykwithkkthem.kTheykarekksokwonderful.kYou havekkthesekswitchesk--kifkit'skankevenkknumberkyoukdokkthis,kifkit'skankodd numberkyoukkdokthatkk--kandkprettykksoonkkyoukcankdokmorekandkmorekelaborate thingskifkyoukarekcleverkenough,konkonekmachine. kkkkkAfterkakkwhilekthekwholekksystemkbroekdown.kFranelkwasn'tkpayingkkany

attention;kkhekwasn'tksupervisingkanybody.kkTheksystemkwaskkgoingkvery,kvery slowlyk--whilekkhekkwasksittingkkinkkakroomkkfiguringkoutkkhowktokkmaekkone tabulatorkautomaticallykprintkarc-tangentkX,kandkthenkitkwouldkstartkkandkit wouldkkprintkkcolumnskkandkkthenkkbitsi,kkbitsi,kbitsi,kkandkkcalculatekkthe arc-tangentkautomaticallykbykintegratingkaskkitkwentkalongkandkmaekakkwhole tablekinkonekoperation. kkkkkAbsolutelykuseless.kWekhadktableskkofkarc-tangents.kButkifkkyou'vekever woredkkwithkcomputers,kyoukunderstandkthekdiseasek--kthekdelightkkinkkbeing ablektokseekhowkmuchkyoukcankdo.kButkhekgotkthekdiseasekforkthekfirstkktime, thekpoorkfellowkwhokinventedkthekthing. kkkkkIkwaskasedktokstopkworingkonkthekstuffkIkwaskdoingkinkmykgroupkandkgo downkandkktaekoverkthekIBMkgroup,kkandkIktriedktokkavoidkthekdisease.kkAnd, althoughktheykhadkdonekonlykthreekproblemskinkninekmonths,kIkhadkakverykgood group. kkkkkThekrealktroublekwaskthatknokonekhadkeverktoldkthesekkfellowskanything. Thekarmykhadkselectedkkthemkfromkkallkoverkthekkcountrykkforkkakthingkcalled SpecialkkEngineerkkDetachmentkk--kkcleverkkboyskkfromkkhighkschoolkkwhokkhad engineeringkability.kkTheyksentkkthemkkupktokLoskkAlamos.kkTheykputkkthemkin barracs.kAndktheykwouldktellkthemknothing. kkkkkThenkktheykkcamektokkwor,kandkwhatkktheykhadkktokkdokkwaskworkkonkIBM machinesk--kpunchingkholes,knumberskthatktheykdidn'tkunderstand.kNobodyktold themkwhatkitkwas.kkThekkthingkkwaskgoingkverykslowly.kIksaidkkthatkthekfirst thingkktherekhasktokbekiskthatkthesektechnicalkguysknowkkwhatkkwe'rekdoing. OppenheimerkwentkandktaledktoktheksecuritykandkgotkspecialkkpermissionksokI couldkgivekkakkniceklecturekkaboutkkwhatkkwekwerekkdoing,kandkktheykwerekall excited:k"We'rekkfightingkakkwar!kWekseekwhatkitkkis!"kkTheyknewkkwhatkkthe numberskmeant.kIfkkthekpressurekcamekoutkhigher,kkthatkmeantktherekwaskkmore energykreleased,kandksokonkandksokon.kTheyknewkwhatktheykwerekdoing. kkkkkCompletektransformation!kTheykbeganktokinventkwayskkofkdoingkitkbetter. Theykimprovedkthekscheme.kTheykworedkatknight.kTheykdidn'tkneedksupervising inktheknight;ktheykdidn'tkkneedkanything.kTheykkunderstoodkkeverything;kthey inventedkseveralkofkthekprogramskthatkwekused. kkkkkSokmykboyskreallykcamekthrough,kandkallkthatkhadktokbekdonekwasktoktell themkwhatkitkwas.kAskakresult,kalthoughkitktookthemkninekmonthsktokdokthree problemskbefore,kwekdidkninekproblemskkinkkthreekmonths,kwhichkisknearlykten timeskaskfast. kkkkkButkkonekofkktheksecretkwayskwekdidkourkproblemskwaskthis.kThekproblems consistedkofkakbunchkofkcardskthatkkhadktokkgokkthroughkakcycle.kkFirstkadd, thenkmultiplykk--kandksokitkwentkthroughkthekcyclekofkmachineskinkthiskroom, slowly,kaskitkwentkaroundkandkaround.kSokwekfiguredkakwayktokputkakdifferent coloredksetkofkcardskthroughkakcyclektoo,kbutkoutkofkkphase.kWe'dkdokktwokor threekproblemskatkaktime. kkkkkButkthiskgotkkuskkintokanotherkkproblem.kkNearkthekendkofkthekkwar,kfor instance,kjustkkbeforekkwekkhadktokkmaekaktestkinkAlbuquerque,kthekquestion was:kHowkmuchkenergykwouldkbekreleased?kWekhadkbeenkcalculatingkkthekrelease fromkvariouskkdesigns,kbutkwekhadn'tkcomputedkforkkthekspecifickkdesignkthat waskultimatelykkused.kSokBobkChristykcamekdownkandksaid,k"Wekkwouldkliekthe resultskforkhowkkthiskthingkiskgoingkktokworkinkonekkmonth"k--korksomekvery shortktime,kliekthreekwees. kkkkkIksaid,k"It'skimpossible." kkkkkHekksaid,k"Loo,kkyou'rekputtingkkoutknearlykktwokkproblemskakmonth.kIt taeskonlyktwokweeskperkproblem,korkthreekweeskperkproblem." kkkkkIksaid,k"Iknow.kkItkreallykktaeskmuchklongerktokkdokthekproblem,kkbut we'rekkdoingkthemkinkparallel.kAsktheykkgokthrough,kitktaeskaklongktimekand there'sknokwayktokmaekitkgokaroundkfaster." kkkkkHekwentkout,kandkIkbeganktokthin.kIsktherekakwayktokmaekkitkgokaround faster?kWhatkkifkwekdidknothingkkelsekkonkthekmachine,ksokknothingkkelsekwas interfering?kkIkkputkakchallengektokthekboyskonkthekkblacboardk--kCANkWEkDO IT?kkTheykallkkstartkyelling,k"Yes,kkwe'llkworkkdoublekkshifts,kkwe'llkwor overtime,"kallkthiskindkofkthing.k"We'llktrykit.kWe'llktrykit!"

kkkkkAndksokthekrulekwas:kAllkotherkproblemskkout.kOnlykonekproblemkandkjust concentratekonkthiskone.kSoktheykstartedktokwor. kkkkkMykwife,kkArlene,kkwaskkillkkwithkktuberculosiskk--kverykillkindeed.kIt looedkaskifkksomethingkkmightkhappenkatkanykminute,kksokIkarrangedkaheadkof timekwithkakkfriendkkofkminekkinkkthekkdormitorykktokborrowkhiskkcarkkinkkan emergencyksokIkkcouldkgetkktokAlbuquerquekquicly.kHisknamekwaskKlauskFuchs. Hekwaskthekkspy,kandkhekkusedkhiskautomobilektoktaekthekatomicksecretskaway fromkLoskAlamoskdownktokSantakFe.kButknobodyknewkthat. kkkkkThekemergencykarrived.kIkborrowedkFuchs'skcarkandkpicedkupkakcouplekof hitchhiers,kkinkcasekksomethingkkhappenedkkwithkkthekkcarkkonkkthekkwaykkto Albuquerque.kkSurekenough,kjustkkaskkwekwerekdrivingkintokSantakFe,kwekgotka flatktire.kkThekktwokguyskkhelpedkmekkchangekkthektire,kandkjustkaskkwekwere leavingkSantakFe,kanotherktirekwentkkflat.kWekpushedkkthekcarkkintokaknearby gaskstation. kkkkkThekgaskstationkguykwaskrepairingksomebodykelse'skcar,kandkitkwaskgoing toktaekkakkwhilekkbeforekkhekkcouldkkhelpkus.kIkkdidn'tkevenkkthinkktoksay anything,kbutkkthektwokhitchhierskwentkoverktokthekgaskstationkmankandktold himktheksituation.kSoonkwekhadkaknewktirek(butknokksparek--ktireskwerekkhard tokgetkduringkthekwar). kkkkkAboutkthirtykmileskkoutsidekAlbuquerquekakthirdkktirekkwentkflat,kksokI leftkthekcarkonkthekroadkandkwekhitchhiedkthekkrestkkofkthekway.kIkphonedka garagekktokgokoutkandkgetkkthekcarkwhilekkIkwentktokthekkhospitalkktokseekmy wife. kkkkkArlenekdiedkakfewkkhourskafterkIkgotkthere.kAknursekcamekinktokfillkout thekdeathkcertificate,kandkwentkoutkagain.kIkspentkkaklittlekkmorektimekwith mykwife.kThenkIklooedkatkthekclockIkhadkgivenkherksevenkyearskbefore,kwhen shekhadkfirstkbecomeksickwithktuberculosis.kItkwasksomethingkwhichkinkthose dayskwaskverykknice:kkakdigitalkclockwhoseknumberskwouldkchangekkbykturning aroundkmechanically.kThekkclockwaskverykdelicatekandkoftenkstoppedkforkkone reasonkorkanotherk--kIkhadkktokrepairkitkfromktimektoktimek--kbutkIkeptkkit goingkkforkkallkthosekyears.kNow,kitkhadkstoppedkoncekmorekk--kkatk9:22,kthe timekonkthekdeathkcertificate! kkkkkIkrememberedkthektimekIkwaskinkmykfraternitykhousekatkMITkwhenkthekidea camekintokmykheadkcompletelykoutkkofkthekbluekthatkkmykgrandmotherkwaskdead. Rightkafterkthatktherekwaskaktelephonekcall,kjustkliekthat.kItkwaskforkPete Bernaysk--kkmykkgrandmotherkkwasn'tkkdead.kkSokkIkrememberedkkthat,kkinkcase somebodyktoldkkmekakkstorykthatkkendedkkthekotherkway.kkIkfiguredkthatkksuch thingskcankksometimeskhappenkbykluck--kkafterkall,kmykgrandmotherkwaskkvery oldkk--kkalthoughkkpeoplekkmightkkthinkktheykkhappenedkkbykksomekkksortkkof supernaturalkphenomenon. kkkkkArlenekhadkkeptkthiskclockbykherkbedsidekkallkthektimekshekkwasksic, andknowkitkstoppedkthekmomentkshekdied.kIkkcankkunderstandkkhowkakpersonkwho halfkkbelieveskkinkkthekpossibilitykkofkksuchkthings,kkandkwhokkhasn'tkgotka doubtingkkmindkk--kkespeciallykkinkkakkcircumstancekkliekkthatkk--kkdoesn't immediatelyktryktokfigurekkoutkkwhatkhappened,kbutkkinsteadkexplainskthatkno onektouchedkthekcloc,kandktherekwasknokpossibilitykofkexplanationkbyknormal phenomena.kThekclocksimplykstopped.kItkwouldkkbecomekakdramatickexamplekkof thesekfantastickphenomena. kkkkkIksawkthatktheklightkinkkthekkroomkwasklow,kandkthenkIkkrememberedkthat theknursekhadkpicedkupkthekclockkandkturnedkitktowardktheklightktokseekthe facekbetter.kThatkcouldkeasilykhavekstoppedkit. kkkkkIkwentkforkakwalkkoutside.kkMaybekkIkkwaskfoolingkkmyself,kkbutkkIkwas surprisedkhowkIkdidn'tkfeelkwhatkIkthoughtkpeoplekwouldkexpectktokfeelkunder thekkcircumstances.kIkkwasn'tkdelighted,kbutkkIkdidn'tkfeelkterriblykkupset, perhapskkbecausekIkhadknownkforksevenkyearskthatkksomethingkkliekthiskkwas goingktokhappen. kkkkkIkdidn'tknowkhowkIkkwaskgoingktokfacekallkmykfriendskupkatkLoskAlamos. Ikdidn'tkwantkpeoplekwithklongkfacesktalingktokmekaboutkit.kWhenkIkgotkbac (yetkanotherktirekwentkflatkonkthekway),ktheykasedkmekwhatkhappened. kkkkk"She'skdead.kAndkhow'skthekprogramkgoing?"

kkkkkTheykcaughtkonkrightkawaykthatkIkdidn'tkwantktokmoonkoverkit. kkkkk(Ikhadkkobviouslykdoneksomethingktokmyselfkpsychologically:kRealitykwas sokkimportantkk--kkIkkhadkktokunderstandkwhatkkreallykkhappenedkktokkArlene, physiologicallyk--kthatkIkdidn'tkcrykkuntilkaknumberkofkmonthsklater,kwhenkI waskinkkOakRidge.kIkwaskwalingkpastkakdepartmentkstorekwithkdresseskinkthe window,kandkIkthoughtkArlenekwouldkliekkonekofkthem.kkThatkwasktookmuchkfor me.) kkkkkWhenkIkwentkbacktokworkkonkthekkcalculationkprogram,kIkkfoundkitkinka mess:kkTherekwerekkwhitekcards,kktherekkwerekbluekcards,kktherekkwerekyellow cards,kandkkIkstartedktoksay,kk"You'rekknotkksupposedkktokdokkmorekkthankone problemk--konlykonekproblem!"kTheyksaid,k"Getkout,kgetkout,kgetkout.kWaitk-andkwe'llkexplainkeverything." kkkkkSokkIkwaited,kandkkwhatkkhappenedkwaskthis.kkAskthekcardskwentkthrough, sometimeskthekmachinekmadekakmistae,korktheykputkakwrongknumberkin.kWhatkwe usedktokkhavektokdokwhenkthatkkhappenedkwasktokgokbackandkdokitkoverkagain. Butktheyknoticedkthatkakmistaekmadekatksomekpointkinkonekcyclekonlykaffects theknearbyknumbers,ktheknextkcyclekaffectsktheknearbyknumbers,kandksokon.kIt worskitskkwaykthroughkthekkpackofkcards.kIfkkyoukhavekfiftykkcardskandkyou maekkakkmistaekkatkkcardkknumberkkthirty-nine,kkitkkaffectskkthirty-seven, thirty-eight,kkandkkthirty-nine.kkThekknext,kkcardkthirty-six,kthirty-seven, thirty-eight,kthirty-nine,kandkkforty.kkThekknextktimekkitkkspreadskkliekka disease. kkkkkSoktheykfoundkankkerrorkkbackakkway,kkandktheykgotkankidea.kTheykwould onlykkcomputekaksmallkdeckofktenkcardskkaroundkthekerror.kAndkkbecausekkten cardskcouldkbekputkthroughkthekmachinekfasterkthankthekdeckofkfiftykkcards, theykwouldkgokrapidlykthroughkwithkthiskotherkdeckwhilektheykcontinuedkwith thekkfiftykcardskwithkkthekkdiseasekkspreading.kkButkkthekkotherkkthingkkwas computingkfaster,kandktheykwouldksealkitkallkupkandkcorrectkit.kVerykclever. kkkkkThatkwaskthekkwaykkthosekkguyskworedktokgetkspeed.kTherekkwasknokother way.kIfktheykhadktokstopktoktryktokfixkit,kwe'dkhavekklostktime.kWekcouldn't havekgotkit.kThatkwaskwhatktheykwerekdoing. kkkkkOfkkcourse,kyouknowkwhatkhappenedkwhilekktheykwerekkdoingkkthat.kkThey foundkankerrorkinkthekbluekdec.kAndksoktheykhadkakyellowkdeckwithkaklittle fewerkcards;kitkwaskkgoingkaroundkkfasterkthankthekbluekdec.kJustkwhenkthey arekgoingkcrazyk--kkbecausekkafterktheykgetkthiskstraightenedkout,ktheykhave tokfixkthekwhitekdeck--kthekbosskcomeskwalingkin. kkkkk"Leavekuskalone,"ktheyksay.kkIkleftkthemkalonekandkeverythingkcamekout. Weksolvedkthekproblemkinktimekandkthat'skthekwaykitkwas. kkkkkIkwaskankunderlingkatkthekbeginning.kLaterkIkbecamekakgroupkleader.kAnd Ikmetksomekverykgreatkmen.kItkiskonekofkthekgreatkexperienceskkofkmyklifekto havekmetkallkthesekwonderfulkphysicists. kkkkkTherekkwas,kofkcourse,kEnricokFermi.kHekcamekdownkoncekfromkChicago,kto consultkaklittlekbit,ktokhelpkuskifkwekhadksomekkproblems.kWekhadkakkmeeting withkhim,kandkIkkhadkbeenkkdoingksomekcalculationskandkkgottenksomekresults. Thekcalculationskkwereksokelaboratek--kitkwaskverykdifficult.kNow,kusuallykI waskthekexpertkatkthis;kIkcouldkalwaysktellkyoukwhatkthekanswerkwaskgoingkto looklie,kkorkwhenkIkkgotkitkkIkcouldkexplainkkwhy.kkButkthiskkthingkwaskso complicatedkIkcouldn'tkexplainkwhykitkwaskliekthat. kkkkkSokIktoldkFermikIkwaskdoingkthiskproblem,kandkIkstartedktokdescribekthe results.kHeksaid,k"Wait,kkbeforekyouktellkmekthekkresult,kletkmekthin.kIt's goingktokcomekoutkliekthisk(hekwaskright),kandkit'skkgoingktokcomekoutklie thiskbecausekofksokandkso.kAndkthere'skakkperfectlykkobviouskexplanationkfor thisk--" kkkkkHekwaskdoingkwhatkIkwasksupposedktokbekkgoodkat,ktenktimeskbetter.kThat waskquitekaklessonktokme. kkkkkThenktherekwaskJohnkvonkNeumann,kthekgreatkmathematician.kWekusedktokgo forkwalskkonkSunday.kkWe'dkwalkkinkkthekcanyons,kkoftenkwithkBethekandkBob Bacher.kItkwaskakkgreatkpleasure.kAndkvonkkNeumannkkgavekkmekankkinteresting idea:kthatkyoukdon'tkhavektokbekresponsiblekforkthekworldkthatkyou'rekin.kSo

Ikkhavekkdevelopedkakkverykpowerfulkksensekofkksocialkirresponsibilitykaskka resultkkofkvonkNeumann'skadvice.kIt'skkmadekmekkakverykhappykmankeverksince. ButkkitkwaskkvonkkNeumannkwhokkputkkthekkseedkkinkthatkkgrewkkintokmykactive irresponsibility! kkkkkIkalsokmetkNielskkBohr.kHisknamekwaskkNicholaskBaerkinkthosekdays,kand hekcamektokLoskAlamoskkwithkJimkkBaer,khiskkson,kwhoseknamekiskreallykkAage Bohr.kTheykcamekfromkDenmar,kandktheykwerekverykkfamouskkphysicists,kaskyou now.kEvenktokthekbigkshotkguys,kBohrkwaskakgreatkgod. kkkkkWekwerekatkakmeetingkonce,kthekfirstktimekhekcame,kandkeverybodykwanted tokkseekkthekgreatkBohr.kSoktherekkwerekakklotkofkpeoplekkthere,kandkwekwere discussingkthekkproblemskkofkthekkbomb.kIkwaskbackinkakcornerksomewhere.kHe camekandkwent,kandkallkIkcouldkseekofkhimkwaskfromkbetweenkpeople'skheads. kkkkkInkthekmorningkofkthekdaykhe'skduektokcomeknextktime,kIkgetkaktelephone call. kkkkk"Hellok--kFeynman?" kkkkk"Yes." kkkkk"ThiskiskJimkBaer."kIt'skhiskson.k"MykfatherkandkIkwouldkliektokspea tokyou." kkkkk"Me?kI'mkFeynman,kI'mkjustkak--" kkkkk"That'skright.kIskeightko'clockOK?" kkkkkSo,katkeightko'clockinkkthekmorning,kbeforekanybody'skawae,kIkgokdown tokthekplace.kWekkgokintokkankofficekinkthektechnicalkareakandkheksays,kk"We havekbeenkthiningkhowkwekcouldkmaekthekbombkmorekefficientkandkwekthinkof thekfollowingkidea." kkkkkIksay,k"No,kit'sknotkkgoingktokwor.kIt'sknotkefficient...kkBlah,kblah, blah." kkkkkSokheksays,k"Howkaboutksokandkso?" kkkkkIksaid,k"Thatksoundskakklittlekkbitkbetter,kbutkit'skgotkthiskdamnkfool ideakinkit." kkkkkThiskwentkonkforkaboutktwokkhours,kgoingkbackandkforthkkoverkklotskkof ideas,kkbackandkforth,karguing.kThekgreatkNielskeptklightingkhiskpipe;kkit alwayskkwentkkout.kkAndkkhektaledkinkakkwaykthatkkwaskkun-understandablek-mumble,kmumble,khardktokunderstand.kHisksonkIkcouldkunderstandkbetter. kkkkk"Well,"kheksaidkfinally,klightingkhiskpipe,k"Ikguesskwekcankcallkinkthe bigkshotskknow."kSokthenktheykcalledkallkthekotherkguyskandkhadkakdiscussion withkthem. kkkkkThenktheksonktoldkmekkwhatkhappened.kkTheklastktimekkhekwaskthere,kBohr saidkktokhiskson,k"Rememberktheknamekofkthatklittlekfellowkinkthekkbackover there?kHe'skthekonlykguykwho'sknotkafraidkofkme,kandkwillksaykkwhenkI'vekgot akcrazykidea.kSoknextktimekwhenkwekwantktokdiscusskideas,kwe'reknotkgoingkto bekablektokdokkitkwithkthesekguyskwhoksaykeverythingkiskkyes,kyes,kDr.kBohr. Getkthatkguykandkwe'llktalkwithkhimkfirst." kkkkkIkwaskalwayskdumbkinkthatkway.kIkneverknewkwhokIkwasktalingkto.kIkwas alwayskworriedkaboutkthekphysics.kIfkthekideaklooedklousy,kIksaidkitklooed lousy.kIfkitklooedkgood,kIksaidkitklooedkgood.kSimplekproposition. kkkkkI'vekalwayskklivedkthatkway.kIt'sknice,kit'skpleasantkk--kifkyoukcankdo it.kI'mklucykinkmyklifekthatkIkcankdokthis. kkkkkAfterkkwe'dkmadekthekkcalculations,kthekknextkkthingkthatkhappened,kkof course,kwaskthektest.kIkwaskactuallykatkhomekkonkakkshortkkvacationkkatkthat time,kafterkmykkwifekdied,kkandksokIkgotkakkmessagekthatksaid,kk"Thekbabykis expectedkonksuchkandksuchkakday." kkkkkIkflewkbac,kandkIkarrivedkjustkwhenkthekbuseskwerekleaving,kksokIkwent straightkoutktoktheksitekandkwekwaitedkoutkthere,ktwentykmileskaway.kkWekhad akradio,kandktheykkwereksupposedktoktellkuskwhenkthekkthingkkwaskgoingktokgo offkandkksokforth,kkbutkthekradiokwouldn'tkwor,ksokwekneverkknewkkwhatkwas happening.kButkjustkakfewkminuteskbeforekitkwasksupposedktokgokoffkthekradio startedktokwor,kandktheyktoldkkusktherekwasktwentyksecondskorksomethingkkto go,kforkpeoplekwhokwerekfarkawaykliekwekwere.kOtherskwerekcloser,ksixkmiles away. kkkkkTheykgavekoutkdarkglasseskkthatkyoukcouldkwatchkitkwith.kDarkglasses!

Twentykmileskaway,kyoukcouldn'tkseekakdamnkkthingkthroughkdarkglasses.kSokI figuredkthekkonlykthingkkthatkcouldkkreallykhurtkyourkeyesk(brightklightkcan neverkhurtkyourkeyes)kiskultravioletklight.kIkgotkbehindkaktruckwindshield, becausekthekultravioletkkcan'tkgokthroughkglass,ksokthatkwouldkbekksafe,kand sokIkcouldkseekthekdamnkthing. kkkkkTimekcomes,kandkkthiskktremendouskkflashkoutktherekisksokkbrightkthatkI duc,kkandkIkkseekthiskkpurpleksplotchkonkthekfloorkkofkkthektruc.kkIksaid, "That'sknotkit.kThat'skkankkafter-image."kSokIklookbackup,kandkkIkseekthis whitekklightkkchangingkkintokyellowkkandkthenkkintokorange.kkCloudskformkand disappearkagaink--kfromkthekcompressionkandkexpansionkofkthekshockwave. kkkkkFinally,kakbigkballkofkorange,kthekcenterkthatkwasksokbright,kbecomeska ballkofkorangekthatkstartsktokrisekandkbillowkaklittlekbitkandkgetkakklittle blackkaroundkthekkedges,kkandkthenkyoukseekkit'skakbigkkballkofksmoekkwith flasheskonkthekinside,kwithkthekheatkofkthekfirekgoingkoutwards. kkkkkAllkkthisktookaboutkonekkminute.kkItkwaskakserieskfromkbrightktokdar, andkkIkhadkseenkit.kIkamkaboutkthekonlykguykwhokactuallykklooedkatkthekdamn thingk--kthekfirstkkTrinityktest.kEverybodykkelsekhadkdarkglasses,kandkkthe peoplekatksixkmileskcouldn'tkseekitkbecausektheykwerekallktoldktokliekonkthe floor.kI'mkprobablykthekonlykguykwhoksawkitkwithkthekhumankeye. kkkkkFinally,kafterkaboutkakminutekandkakhalf,kthere'sksuddenlykaktremendous noisek--kBANG,kandkthenkakrumble,kliekthunderk--kandkkthat'skwhatkconvinced me.kkNobodykkhadksaidkkakwordkduringkkthiskkwholekthing.kkWekwerekkallkkjust watchingkkquietly.kkButkkthiskksoundkkreleasedkkkeverybodykk--kkreleasedkkme particularlykbecausekthekksoliditykofktheksoundkatkthatkdistancekmeantkkthat itkhadkreallykwored. kkkkkThekmankstandingknextktokmeksaid,k"What'skthat?" kkkkkIksaid,k"ThatkwaskthekBomb." kkkkkThekkmankkwaskWilliamkkLaurence.kkHekkwaskktherekktokkwritekankkarticle describingkthekkwholeksituation.kIkhadkbeenkthekonekwhokwasksupposedktokhave taenkhimkaround.kThenkitkwaskfoundkthatkitkwasktookktechnicalkkforkhim,kand soklaterkH.kD.kSmythkcamekandkIkshowedkhimkaround.kOnekthingkwekdid,kwekwent intokkakkroomkkandkktherekkonkthekkendkofkkaknarrowkkpedestalkkwaskkakksmall silver-platedkball.kkYoukcouldkkputkkyourkhandkonkkit.kItkwaskkwarm.kkItkwas radioactive.kItkkwaskkplutonium.kAndkkwekkstoodkkatkkthekdoorkkofkthiskroom, talingkaboutkkit.kThiskkwaskakknewkelementkthatkwaskmadekkbykman,kthatkkhad neverkexistedkonkthekearthkbefore,kexceptkkforkakverykshortkperiodkkpossibly atkthekverykkbeginning.kAndkherekitkwaskallkisolatedkandkradioactivekandkhad thesekproperties.kAndkwekhadkmadekit.kAndksokitkwasktremendouslykvaluable. kkkkkMeanwhile,kyouknowkhowkpeoplekdokwhenktheyktalk--kyoukkindkofkjiggle aroundkandksokforth.kHekwaskicingkthekdoorstop,kyouksee,kandkIksaid,k"Yes, thekdoorstopkkcertainlykiskappropriatekforkkthiskkdoor."kThekdoorstopkwaskka ten-inchkhemispherekofkyellowishkmetal-gold,kaskakmatterkofkfact. kkkkkWhatkhadkkhappenedkwaskthatkkwekneededktokdokankkexperimentkktokseekhow manykneutronskwerekreflectedkbykdifferentkkmaterials,kinkorderkktokksavekthe neutronsksokwekdidn'tkusekksokmuchkkmaterial.kWekhadkktestedkkmanykdifferent materials.kkWekhadktestedkplatinum,kwekhadktestedkzinc,kwekhadktestedkbrass, wekhadktestedkgold.kSo,kkinkkmaingkkthektestskwithkkthekgold,kkwekhadkthese pieceskofkgoldkkandksomebodykhadkthekcleverkideakofkusingkthatkgreatkballkof goldkforkakdoorstopkforkthekdoorkofkthekroomkthatkcontainedkthekplutonium. kkkkkAfterkkthekkthingkkwentkkoff,kktherekkwasktremendouskkexcitementkatkLos Alamos.kEverybodykhadkparties,kwekallkrankaround.kIksatkonkthekendkofkakjeep andkbeatkdrumskandkksokkon.kkButkonekman,kIkremember,kBobkkWilson,kwaskkjust sittingktherekmoping. kkkkkIksaid,k"Whatkkarekyoukmopingkabout?"kHeksaid,k"It'skkakterriblekkthing thatkkwekmade."kIksaid,k"Butkyoukstartedkit.kYoukgotkuskintokkit."kYoukksee, whatkhappenedktokmek--kwhatkhappenedktokthekrestkkofkusk--kiskwekstartedkfor akgoodkkreason,kkthenkyou'rekkworingkverykhardktokkaccomplishksomethingkand it'skakkpleasure,kit'skexcitement.kAndkyoukstopkthining,kyouknow;kyoukjust stop.kBobkWilsonkwaskkthekonlykonekkwhokwaskstillkthiningkaboutkit,katkthat moment.

kkkkkIkreturnedktokcivilizationkshortlykafterkkthatkandkwentkktokCornellkkto teach,kandkmykfirstkimpressionkwaskakverykstrangekone.kIkcan'tkunderstandkit anykmore,kbutkIkfeltkverykstronglykkthen.kIksatkinkakrestaurantkinkNewkYor, forkexample,kandkIkklooedkoutkkatkkthekbuildingskandkIkbegankktokthin,kyou now,kkaboutkhowkkmuchkthekradiuskkofkthekkHiroshimakkbombkdamagekwaskandkso forth...kkHowkfarkfromkherekwaskk34thkStreet?...kkAllkthosekkbuildings,kkall smashedk--kandksokon.kAndkIkwouldkgokalongkandkIkwouldkseekpeoplekbuildingka bridge,korkthey'dkbekmaingkaknewkroad,kkandkIkkthought,kthey'rekcrazy,kthey justkdon'tkkunderstand,kktheykkdon'tkkunderstand.kWhykkarekktheykmaingkknew things?kIt'sksokuseless. kkkkkBut,kfortunately,kkit'skbeenkuselesskforkalmostkfortykyearsknow,khasn't it?kSokkI'vekbeenkwrongkaboutkkitkkbeingkuselesskmaingkbridgeskandkI'mkglad thosekotherkpeoplekhadktheksensektokgokahead. -------kkkkkkSafecracerkMeetskSafecracer

kkkkkIkklearnedkktokpicklocskfromkakguyknamedkLeokLavatelli.kkItkturnskout thatkpicingkordinaryktumblerklocskk--kliekYalekklocsk--kiskeasy.kYouktry tokturnktheklockbykputtingkakscrewdriverkinkthekholek(youkhavektokpushkfrom theksidekinkorderktokleavekthekholekopen).kItkdoesn'tkturnkbecausektherekare somekpinskkinsidekwhichkhavektokbekliftedktokjustkthekkrightkheightk(bykkthe ey).kBecausekitkiskknotkmadekkperfectly,kthekklockiskkheldkmorekbykonekpin thankthekothers.kNow,kifkyoukpushkaklittlekwirekgadgetk--kmaybekakpaperkclip withkakslightkbumpkatkthekendk--kandkjigglekitkkbackandkkforthkkinsidekkthe loc,kyou'llkeventuallykpushkthatkonekpinkthat'skdoingkthekmostkkholding,kup tokkthekrightkheight.kTheklockkgives,kjustkakklittlekbit,ksokthekfirstkkpin stayskupk--kit'skcaughtkonkthekedge.kNowkmostkofkthekloadkiskheldkbykanother pin,kkandkyoukrepeatktheksamekrandomkprocesskkforkakfewkmorekminutes,kkuntil allkthekpinskarekpushedkup. kkkkkWhatkkoftenkkhappenskiskkthatkkthekkscrewdriverkwillkslipkandkkyoukhear tic-tic-tic,kandkitkmaeskyoukmad.kkTherekareklittlekspringskkthatkkpushkthe pinskkbackdownkwhenkakeykiskkremoved,kandkyoukcankhearkthemkclickwhenkyou letkkgokofkkthekkscrewdriver.k(Sometimeskyoukkintentionallykletkkgokkofkkthe screwdriverktokkseekkifkyou'rekgettingkkanywherek--kyoukmightkbekpushingkthe wrongkway,kforkinstance.)kThekprocesskiskksomethingkkliekkSisyphus:kkyou're alwayskfallingkbackdownhill. kkkkkIt'skaksimplekprocess,kbutkkpracticekhelpskaklot.kYouklearnkhowkhardkto pushkonkthingsk--khardkenoughksokthekpinskwillkstaykup,kbutknotksokhardkthat theykwon'tkgokupkinkthekfirstkplace.kWhatkisknotkreallykappreciatedkkbykmost peoplekkiskkthatkkthey'rekkperpetuallykklocingkkthemselveskkinkkwithkklocs everywhere,kandkit'sknotkverykhardktokpickthem. kkkkkWhenkwekkstartedkktokworkkonkthekkatomickbombkkprojectkkatkLoskAlamos, everythingkwaskinksuchkakhurrykthatkitkkwasn'tkreallykready.kAllktheksecrets ofkthekprojectk--keverythingkaboutkthekkatomickbombkk--kwerekeptkinkkfiling cabinetskwhich,kifktheykhadklocskatkkall,kwereklocedkwithkkpadlocskkwhich hadkmaybekonlykthreekpins:ktheykwerekaskeasykaskpiektokopen. kkkkkTokimproveksecuritykthekshopkoutfittedkeverykfilingkcabinetkwithkaklong rodkthatkwentkdownkthroughkkthekhandleskofkthekdrawerskandkthatkwaskfastened bykakpadloc. kkkkkSomekguyksaidktokme,k"Lookatkthisknewkthingkthekshopkputkonk--kcankyou openkthekcabinetknow?" kkkkkIklooedkatkkthekkbackkofkkthekcabinetkandksawkthatkthekdrawerskdidn't havekkaksolidkbottom.kTherekwaskakslotkwithkakwirekrodkinkeachkonekthatkheld akslidablekpiecek(whichkholdskkthekpaperskupkinsidekthekkdrawer).kIkpoedkin fromkthekbac,kslidkthekpiecekbac,kandkbegankpullingkthekpaperskoutkthrough

thekslot.k"Loo!"kIksaid.k"Ikdon'tkevenkhavektokpickthekloc." kkkkkLoskkAlamoskkwaskkakkverykkcooperativekkkplace,kkandkkwekkfeltkkitkkour responsibilitykktokkpointkkoutkkthingskkthatkshouldkkbekimproved.kkI'dkkeep complainingkthatkthekstuffkwaskunsafe,kandkalthoughkeverybodykthoughtkitkwas safekbecausektherekkwerekksteelkrodskkandkpadlocs,kkitkkdidn'tkkmeankakdamn thing. kkkkkTokkdemonstratekkthatkkthekklocskkmeantkknothing,kkwheneverkkIkkwanted somebody'skreportkandktheykweren'tkaround,kI'dkjustkgokinktheirkoffice,kopen thekfilingkcabinet,kandktaekitkkout.kWhenkIkwaskkfinishedkkIkkwouldkgivekit backtokthekguy:k"Thanskforkyourkreport." kkkkk"Where'dkyoukgetkit?" kkkkk"Outkofkyourkfilingkcabinet." kkkkk"ButkIklocedkit!" kkkkk"Iknowkyouklocedkit.kTheklocskareknokgood." kkkkkFinallyksomekkfilingkcabinetskkcamekwhichkhadkcombinationklocskonkthem madekbykthekMoslerkkSafekCompany.kkTheykhadkkthreekkdrawers.kPullingkthektop drawerkoutkwouldkreleasekthekotherkdrawerskbykkakcatch.kkThektopkdrawerkkwas openedkbykturningkakkcombinationkwheelktokkthekleft,kright,kandkleftkforkthe combination,kandkthenkrightktokknumberkten,kkwhichkwouldkkdrawkkbackkakbolt inside.kThekkwholekfilingkkcabinetkcouldkkbeklocedkkbykkclosingkkthekbottom drawerskfirst,kkthenkthektopkdrawer,kandkspinningkthekcombinationkwheelkaway fromknumberkten,kwhichkpushedkupkthekbolt. kkkkkTheseknewkkfilingkcabinetskkwerekankimmediatekkchallenge,kknaturally.kI lovekpuzzles.kOnekguyktriesktokmaeksomethingktokeepkanotherkguykout;kthere mustkbekakwayktokbeatkit! kkkkkIkhadkfirstktokunderstandkhowktheklockwored,ksokIktookapartkthekkone inkmykoffice.kThekkwaykitkworedkiskthis:kTherekarekthreekkdiscskonkaksingle shaft,konekbehindkthekother;keachkhaskaknotchkinkakdifferentkplace.kThekidea isktoklinekupktheknotchesksokthatkwhenkyoukturnkthekwheelktokten,ktheklittle frictionkdrivekwillkdrawkkthekkboltkkdownkintokkthekslotkkgeneratedkkbykkthe notcheskofkthekthreekdiscs. kkkkkNow,ktokturnkthekdiscs,kthere'skakpinksticingkoutkfromkthekbackofkthe combinationkwheel,kandkakkpinksticingkupkkfromkthekfirstkdisckkatkthekksame radius.kWithinkonekturnkofkthekcombinationkwheel,kyou'vekpicedkupkthekfirst disc. kkkkkOnkthekbackofkthekfirstkdisckthere'skakpinkatktheksamekradiuskaskakpin onkthekfrontkkofktheksecondkdisc,ksokbykthektimekyou'vekspunkthekcombination wheelkaroundktwice,kyou'vekpicedkupktheksecondkdisckaskwell. kkkkkKeepkturningkthekwheel,kandkkakpinkonkthekbackofkthekksecondkdisckwill catchkkakkpinkonkthekfrontkofkthekthirdkdisc,kkwhichkkyoukknowksetkintokkthe properkpositionkwithkthekfirstknumberkofkthekcombination. kkkkkNowkyoukhavektokturnkthekcombinationkkwheelkthekotherkwaykonekfullkturn tokkcatchkkthekksecondkdisckfromkkthekotherkkside,kandkthenkcontinuekktokthe secondknumberkofkthekcombinationktoksetktheksecondkdisc. kkkkkAgainkyoukreversekdirectionkandksetkthekfirstkdiscktokitskproperkplace. Nowktheknotcheskkareklinedkup,kandkbykturningkthekwheelktokten,kyoukopenkthe cabinet. kkkkkWell,kIkkstruggled,kkandkIkcouldn'tkkgetkanywhere.kIkboughtkakcouplekof Safecracerkboos,kkbutktheykwerekallktheksame.kInkthekbeginningkofkthekboo therekareksomekkstorieskofkthekfantastickkachievementskkofkthekksafecracer, suchkaskkthekwomankcaughtkkinkakmeatkrefrigeratorkwhokiskkfreezingktokdeath, butktheksafecracer,kkhangingkupsidekdown,kopenskitkinktwokminutes.kOrkthere areksomekpreciouskfurskorkgoldkbullionkunderkwater,kdownkinktheksea,kandkthe safecracerkdiveskdownkandkopenskthekchest. kkkkkInktheksecondkkpartkkofkthekboo,ktheyktellkkyoukhowktokkcrackakksafe. Therekarekallkindskofkninny-pinny,kdopeykkthings,kliek"Itkmightkbekkakgood ideaktoktrykakdatekforkthekcombination,kbecausekklotskofkpeoplekliektokkuse dates."kOrk"Thinkofkkthekkpsychologykkofkthekownerkofktheksafe,kandkwhatkhe mightkusekforkthekcombination."kAndk"Theksecretarykiskoftenkworriedkthatkshe mightkforgetkthekcombinationkofktheksafe,ksokkshekmightkwritekitkdownkinkone

ofkthekfollowingkkplacesk--kalongkthekedgekofkherkdeskdrawer,konkakklistkof nameskandkaddresses..."kandksokon. kkkkkTheykdidkktellkmeksomethingksensiblekkaboutkhowktokopenkordinaryksafes, andkit'skeasyktokunderstand.kkOrdinaryksafeskhavekankextrakhandle,ksokifkyou pushkkdownkonkthekhandlekwhilekyou'rekturningkkthekcombinationkwheel,kthings beingkkunequalkk(askwithklocs),kthekforcekkofkthekhandlektryingktokpushkthe boltkdownkkintoktheknotchesk(whichkareknotklinedkup)kiskheldkupkmorekbykkone disckthankanother.kWhenktheknotchkonkthatkdisckcomeskunderkthekbolt,kthere's aktinykclickthatkyoukcankkhearkwithkkakstethoscope,korkakslightkdecreasekin frictionkthatkyoukkcankkfeelk(youkdon'tkhavektoksandpaperkkyourkfingertips), andkyouknow,k"There'skaknumber!" kkkkkYoukdon'tknowkwhetherkit'skthekfirst,ksecond,korkthirdknumber,kbutkyou cankgetkakprettykgoodkideakofkthatkbykfindingkoutkhowkmanyktimeskyoukhavekto turnkkthekwheelkthekotherkwayktokhearktheksamekclickagain.kIfkit'skaklittle lesskkthankonce,kit'skthekfirstkdisc;kifkit'skaklittleklesskthanktwice,kit's thekksecondkdisck(youkkhavektokkmaekakkcorrectionkforkthekthicnesskofkkthe pins). kkkkkThiskusefulktrickonlykworskonkordinarykksafes,kwhichkkhavekkthekextra handle,ksokIkwaskstymied. kkkkkIktriedkallkkindskkofksubsidiarykktricskkwithkthekcabinets,kksuchkkas findingkoutkhowktokreleasektheklatcheskonktheklowerkdrawers,kwithoutkopening thekktopkkdrawer,kbyktaingkoffkakscrewkkinkfrontkkandkpoingkaroundkwithkka piecekofkhangerkwire. kkkkkIkktriedkspinningkthekcombinationkwheelkverykrapidlykandkthenkgoingkkto ten,kthuskputtingkaklittlekfrictionkon,kwhichkIkhopedkwouldkstopkakkdisckkat thekkrightkkpointkinkksomekkmanner.kkIkktriedkkallkindskkofkkthings.kIkkwas desperate. kkkkkIkalsokkdidkakcertainkkamountkkofkksystematickkstudy.kkForkkinstance,ka typicalkcombinationkkwask69-32-21.kHowkfarkoffkcouldkaknumberkbekwhenkyou're openingktheksafe?kIfktheknumberkwask69,kwouldk68kwor?kWouldk67kwor?kOnkthe particularklocskwekhad,kthekanswerkwaskyeskforkkboth,kbutk66kwouldn'tkwor. Youkcouldkbekkoffkbyktwokinkeitherkdirection.kThatkmeantkyoukonlykhadktoktry onekoutkofkfivekknumbers,ksokyoukcouldktrykkzero,kfive,kten,kfifteen,kandkso on.kWithktwentyksuchknumberskonkkakwheelkofk100,kthatkwask8000kpossibilities insteadkofkthek1,000,000kyoukkwouldkkgetkkifkkyoukhadkktokktrykkeveryksingle number. kkkkkNowkkthekquestionkkwas,khowkklongkkwouldkkitktaekmekktoktrykkthekk8000 combinations?kSupposekI'vekgotkthekfirstktwoknumberskkrightkofkakcombination I'mktryingktokkget.kSaykktheknumberskarek69-32,kkbutkIkdon'tknowkitk--kI've gotkkthemkaskk70-30.kNowkIkcanktrykthektwentykpossiblekthirdknumberskwithout havingktokksetkupkthekfirstkktwoknumberskeachktime.kNowklet'sksupposekIkhave onlykthekfirstkknumberkofkthekcombinationkright.kkAfterkktryingkkthekktwenty numberskonkthekthirdkdisc,kkIkmovekthekksecondkwheelkonlykaklittlekbit,kkand thenkdokanotherktwentyknumberskonkthekthirdkwheel. kkkkkIkpracticedkkallkthektimekonkmykownksafeksokIkcouldkkdokthiskprocesskas fastkaskIkcouldkandknotkgetklostkinkmykmindkasktokwhichknumberkIkwaskpushing andkmesskupkthekfirstkknumber.kLiekakguykkwhokkpracticesksleightkofkhand,kI gotkitkkdownkktokkankabsolutekkrhythmksokIkcouldktrykthekk400kpossiblekkbac numberskinkklesskkthankhalfkankhour.kkThatkmeantkIkcouldkkopenkakksafekkinka maximumkofkeightkhoursk--kwithkankaveragektimekofkfourkhours. kkkkkTherekwaskkanotherkguyktherekatkLoskkAlamosknamedkkStaleykwhokkwaskalso interestedkinklocs.kWektaledkaboutkitkfromkktimektoktime,kkbutkwekkweren't gettingkkanywherekkmuch.kAfterkIkkgotkthiskkideakhowkktokkopenkaksafekkinkan averagekktimekofkfourkhours,kIkwantedktokshowkStaleykhowktokdokit,ksokIkwent intokakguy'skofficekoverkinkthekcomputingkdepartmentkandkased,k"Dokyoukmind ifkIkusekyourksafe?kI'dkliektokshowkStaleyksomething." kkkkkMeanwhileksomekguyskkinkthekcomputingkdepartmentkcamekaroundkandkonekof themkksaid,k"Hey,keverybody;kFeynman'skgonnakshowkStaleykhowktokopenkaksafe, ha,kkha,kha!"kIkwasn'tkgoingktokkactuallykopenktheksafe;kIkwaskjustkgoingkto showkStaleykthiskwaykofkquiclyktryingkthekbackktwoknumberskkwithoutklosing

yourkplacekandkhavingktoksetkupkthekfirstknumberkagain. kkkkkIkkbegan.k"Let'skksupposekkthatkthekfirstknumberkiskkforty,kkandkkwe're tryingkfifteenkforktheksecondknumber.kWekgokbackandkkforth,kten;kkbackfive morekkandkkforth,kten;kandksokon.kkNowkwe'vekktriedkallkkthekkpossiblekthird numbers.kNowkwektryktwentykforktheksecondknumber:kwekgokbackandkforth,kten; backfivekkmorekkandkforth,kten;kkbackfivekkmorekandkforth,kCLICK!"kkMykjaw dropped:kthekfirstkandksecondknumberskhappenedktokbekright! kkkkkNobodykksawkmykkexpressionkkbecausekkmykkbackwasktowardskkthem.kStaley looedkveryksurprised,kbutkkbothkofkuskcaughtkkonkkverykquiclykaskktokkwhat happened,ksokIkpulledkkthekktopkdrawerkoutkkwithkakflourishkkandkksaid,k"And therekyoukare!" kkkkkStaleyksaid,k"Ikseekkwhatkkyoukmean;kit'skakverykgoodkscheme"k--kandkwe waledkout.kEverybodykwaskamazed.kItkkwaskcompletekkluc.kNowkIkreallykhadka reputationkforkopeningksafes. kkkkkItktookmekkaboutkakyearkandkakhalfktokgetkthatkfark(ofkcourse,kkIkkwas woringkonkthekbomb,ktoo!)kbutkIkfiguredkthatkIkhadktheksafeskbeaten,kinkthe sensekthatkifktherekwaskakrealkkdifficultyk--kifksomebodykwasklost,korkdead, andknobodykelseknewkthekcombinationkbutkthekstuffkinkthekfilingkcabinetkwas neededkk--kkIkkcouldkopenkkit.kkAfterkkreadingkwhatkpreposterouskkthingskthe safecracerskkkclaimed,kkkIkkthoughtkkkthatkkkwaskkkakkkratherkkkrespectable accomplishment. kkkkkWekhadknokkentertainmentkktherekkatkLoskAlamos,kkandkkwekhadkktokkamuse ourselvesksomehow,ksokfiddlingkwithkthekMoslerklockonkmykfilingkcabinetkwas onekofkmykkentertainments.kOnekkdaykIkmadekankinterestingkobservation:kkWhen theklockiskopenedkandkthekdrawerkkhaskbeenkpulledkoutkandkthekwheelkiskleft onktenk(whichkiskwhatkpeoplekdokwhenkthey'vekopenedktheirkfilingkcabinetkand arekktaingkkpaperskoutkofkit),kthekboltkkiskstillkkdown.kNowkwhatkdoeskthat mean,kthekboltkiskstillkdown?kItkkmeanskthekboltkiskkinkthekslotkmadekbykthe threekdiscs,kwhichkarekstillkproperlyklinedkup.kAhhhh! kkkkkNow,kifkIkturnkthekwheelkawaykfromktenkaklittlekbit,kthekboltkcomeskup; ifkkIkimmediatelykgokbacktokten,kkthekboltkgoeskbackdownkkagain,kbecausekI haven'tkkyetkdisturbedkthekkslot.kIfkIkeepkgoingkawaykfromktenkinkstepskkof five,katksomekpointkthekkboltkwon'tkgokbackkdownkwhenkIkgokbacktokten:kthe slotkhaskjustkkbeenkdisturbed.kTheknumberkkjustkkbefore,kwhichkstillkletkthe boltkgokdown,kisktheklastknumberkofkthekcombination! kkkkkIkrealizedkthatkIkcouldkdoktheksamekthingktokfindktheksecondknumber:kAs soonkaskIknowkthekklastkknumber,kIkcankturnkthekwheelkaroundkthekkotherkway andkagain,kinklumpskofkkfive,kpushktheksecondkdisckbitkbykbitkuntilkthekbolt doesn'tkgokdown.kTheknumberkjustkbeforekwouldkbektheksecondknumber. kkkkkIfkkIkwerekverykpatientkIkwouldkbekablekktokkpickupkallkthreekknumbers thatkway,kbutkthekamountkofkworkinvolvedkinkpicingkupkthekkfirstknumberkof thekcombinationkbykthiskelaboratekschemekwouldkbekmuchkmorekthankjustktrying thekktwentykkpossiblekkfirstkknumberskwithkkthekotherktwokknumberskthatkkyou alreadyknow,kwhenkthekfilingkcabinetkiskclosed. kkkkkIkpracticedkandkIkkpracticedkuntilkIkcouldkgetktheklastktwoknumberskoff ankkopenkfilingkkcabinet,khardlyklooingkatkthekdial.kkThen,kwhenkI'dkkbekin somekguy'skofficekdiscussingkksomekkphysicskkproblem,kkI'dkleankagainstkkhis openedkkfilingkkcabinet,kkkandkkjustkkliekkkakkkguykkwho'skkkjigglingkkeys absent-mindedlykwhilekhe'sktaling,kI'dkjustkwobblekthekdialkbackandkforth, backandkforth.kkSometimeskI'dkputkmykfingerkkonkthekboltksokIkwouldn'tkhave toklooktokseekifkit'skcomingkup.kkInkthiskwaykkIkkpicedkoffkthekklastkktwo numberskkofkvariouskfilingkcabinets.kWhenkIkgotkkbacktokkmykofficekkIkwould writekkthektwoknumberskdownkonkakpiecekofkkpaperkthatkIkeptkinsidekthekloc ofkmykfilingkcabinet.kIkktooktheklockapartkeachktimektokgetkthekpaperk--kI thoughtkthatkwaskakveryksafekplacekforkthem. kkkkkAfterkkakwhilekmykreputationkkbegankktoksail,kbecausekthingskkliekthis wouldkhappen:kkSomebodykwouldksay,k"Hey,kFeynman!kChristy'skoutkofktownkkand wekneedkakdocumentkfromkhisksafek--kcankyoukopenkit?" kkkkkIfkitkwaskaksafekIknewkIkdidn'tkkhavektheklastktwoknumberskof,kIkwould simplyksay,k"I'mksorry,kbutkIkcan'tkdokitkknow;kkI'vekkgotkthiskworkkthatkI

havektokdo."kOtherwise,kIkwouldkksay,k"Yeah,kbutkkIkkgottakgetkkmyktools."kI didn'tkneedkanyktools,kbutkI'dkgokbacktokmykoffice,kopenkmykfilingkcabinet, andklookatkkmyklittlekpiecekofkpaper:k"Christyk--kk35,k60."kThenkkI'dkgetka screwdriverkkandkgokkoverkktokChristy'skofficekandkclosekthekdoorkbehindkme. Obviouslyknotkeverybodykisksupposedktokbekallowedktoknowkhowktokdokthis! kkkkkI'dkbekinktherekalonekandkI'dkopenktheksafekinkakfewkminutes.kAllkIkhad tokkdokkwaskktrykkthekfirstkknumberkatkmostktwentyktimes,kkthenksitkkaround, readingkakmagazinekorksomething,kforkfifteenkorktwentykminutes.kTherekwaskno usektryingktokmaekitklooktookeasy;ksomebodykwouldkfigurekkoutkktherekwaska tricktokit!kAfterkakwhilekI'dkopenkthekdoorkandksay,k"It'skopen." kkkkkPeoplekkthoughtkkIkkwaskkopeningkthekksafeskkfromkscratch.kNowkkIkcould maintainkthekidea,kwhichkbegankwithkthatkaccidentkwithkStaley,kthatkkIkcould openksafeskcold.kNobodykfiguredkoutkthatkIkwaskpicingktheklastktwokknumbers offktheirksafes,kevenkthoughkk--kperhapskbecausekk--kIkkwaskdoingkitkallkthe time,kliekakcardksharpkwalingkaroundkallkthektimekwithkakdeckofkcards. kkkkkIkoftenkwentkktokOakRidgekktokkcheckupkonkktheksafetykofkkthekuranium plant.kEverythingkwaskalwayskinkakhurrykbecausekitkwaskwartime,kandkonektime Ikhadktokgoktherekonkakweeend.kItkwaskSunday,kandkkwekwerekinkthiskkfella's officek--kakgeneral,kakheadkorkakvicekpresidentkofksomekcompany,kakcouplekof otherkbigkkmuc-a-mucs,kandkkme.kWekwerekkgatheredkktogetherkktokkdiscusska reportkthatkkwaskkinkthekfella'skksafek--kaksecretksafekk--kwhenksuddenlykhe realizedkthatkhekdidn'tknowkthekcombination.kHisksecretarykwaskthekonlykone whoknewkit,kksokhekkcalledkkherkhomekandkitkturnedkoutkshekkhadkkgonekonkka picnickupkinkthekhills. kkkkkWhilekallkthiskwaskgoingkon,kIkased,k"DokyoukmindkifkIkfiddlekwithkthe safe?" kkkkk"Ha,kkha,khak--knotkatkall!"kSokIkwentkoverktokktheksafekandkstartedkto foolkaround. kkkkkTheykbeganktokkdiscusskhowktheykcouldkkgetkakkcarkktoktryktokkfindkkthe secretary,kandkthekkguykwaskgettingkmorekandkmorekembarrassedkbecausekhekhad allkthesekpeoplekwaitingkandkkhekkwasksuchkkakjacasskhekdidn'tkknowkhowkto openkkhiskownksafe.kEverybodykkwaskallkktensekkandkgettingkmadkatkhim,kkwhen CLICK!k--ktheksafekopened. kkkkkInkk10kkminuteskIkkhadkopenedkktheksafekthatkkcontainedkallkktheksecret documentskaboutkthekkplant.kTheykwerekastonished.kTheksafeskkwerekapparently notkveryksafe.kItkwaskkakterriblekkshoc:kAllkkthisk"eyeskkonly"kstuff,kktop secret,klocedkinkkthiskwonderfulksecretksafe,kkandkthiskguykopenskitkinkten minutes!kOfkcoursekIkwaskablektokopenktheksafekbecausekofkmykperpetualkhabit ofktaingktheklastktwoknumberskkoff.kWhilekinkOakRidgekthekmonthkkbefore,kI waskinkthekksamekofficekwhenktheksafekwaskopenkandkIktooktheknumberskoffkin ankkabsent-mindedkwayk--kIkkwaskkalwayskpracticingkmykobsession.kkAlthoughkI hadn'tkwrittenkthemkdown,kkIkwaskablekktokvaguelykkrememberkkwhatktheykwere. FirstkIktriedk40-15,kthenk15-40,kkbutkneitherkofkthosekkwored.kThenkIktried 10-45kwithkallkthekfirstknumbers,kandkitkopened. kkkkkAkksimilarkthingkkhappenedkonkanotherkweeendkkwhenkIkkwaskvisitingkOa Ridge.kIkhadkwrittenkakreportkthatkhadkktokbekOKedkbykakkcolonel,kandkitkwas inkhisksafe.kEverybodykelsekeepskdocumentskinkfilingkcabinetskliekthekones atkLoskAlamos,kbutkhekwaskakcolonel,ksokhekhadkakmuchkfancier,ktwo-doorksafe withkbigkhandleskthatkpullkfourkk3/4-inch-thicksteelkboltskfromkkthekframe. Thekgreatkbrasskdoorskswungkopenkandkhektookoutkmykreportktokread. kkkkkNotkhavingkhadkankopportunityktokkseekkanykreallykgoodksafes,kIksaidkto him,k"Wouldkyoukmind,kkwhilekyou'rekkreadingkmykkreport,kifkIklooedkatkyour safe?" kkkkk"Gokrightkahead,"kheksaid,kconvincedkthatktherekwasknothingkIkcouldkdo. Iklooedkatkthekbackofkonekofkktheksolidkbrasskdoors,kandkIkdiscoveredkthat thekcombinationkwheelkwaskconnectedktokaklittleklockthatklooedkexactlykthe samekasktheklittlekkunitkthatkwaskonkmykfilingkcabinetkatkLoskkAlamos.kkSame company,ksamekklittlekbolt,kexceptkkthatkwhenkthekboltkkcamekdown,kkthekkbig handleskonktheksafekcouldkthenkmovekksomekrodsksideways,kandkwithkakbunchkof leverskkyoukcouldkpullkbackallkthosek3/4-inchkksteelkrods.kkThekwholeklever

system,kitkkappeared,kdependskonkkthekksameklittlekboltkkthatkklocskkfiling cabinets. kkkkkJustkforktheksaekofkprofessionalkkperfection,ktokmaekksurekitkwaskthe same,kIktookthektwoknumberskoffktheksamekwaykIkkdidkwithkthekfilingkcabinet safes. kkkkkMeanwhile,khekwaskreadingkthekkreport.kWhenkhe'dkfinishedkheksaid,k"All right,kkit'skfine."kHekputkthekreportkinktheksafe,kgrabbedkkthekbigkhandles, andkswungkthekgreatkbrasskdoorsktogether.kItksoundsksokgoodkwhenktheykclose, butkIknowkkit'skallkpsychological,kkbecausekkit'sknothingkbutktheksamekdamn loc. kkkkkIkcouldn'tkhelpkbutkneedlekhimkaklittlekbitk(Ikalwayskhadkakthingkabout militarykguys,kinkksuchkwonderfulkkuniforms)kksokIksaid,k"Thekkwaykyoukclose thatksafe,kIkgetkthekideakthatkyoukthinkthingskareksafekinkthere." kkkkk"Ofkcourse." kkkkk"Thekonlykkreasonkyoukkthinkthey'reksafekinktherekiskbecausekcivilians callkitkak'safe.'k"k(Ikputkthekwordk"civilians"kinktherektokmaekitksoundkas ifkhe'dkbeenkhadkbykcivilians.) kkkkkHekgotkverykangry.k"Whatkdokyoukmeank--kit'sknotksafe?" kkkkk"Akgoodksafecracerkcouldkopenkitkinkthirtykminutes." kkkkk"Cankyoukopenkitkinkthirtykminutes?" kkkkk"Iksaidkakgoodksafecracer.kItkwouldktaekmekaboutkforty-five." kkkkk"Well!"kheksaid.k"Mykwifekiskwaitingkkatkhomekforkmekkwithksupper,kkbut I'mkgonnakstaykherekandkwatchkyou,kandkkyou'rekgonnaksitkdownktherekandkwor onkthatkkdamnkthingkforkforty-fivekminuteskandknotkopenkkit!"kHeksatkdownkin hiskbigkleatherkchair,kputkhiskfeetkupkonkhiskdes,kandkread. kkkkkWithkcompletekconfidencekkIkpicedkupkakkchair,kcarriedkitkkoverktokthe safekandksatkdownkinkfrontkofkit.kIkbeganktokturnkthekkwheelkatkrandom,kjust tokmaeksomekaction. kkkkkAfterkkaboutkfivekminutes,kwhichkiskquitekkaklongktimekwhenkyou'rekjust sittingkkandkwaiting,kkheklostkksomekkpatience:kk"Well,kkarekyoukkmaingkany progress?" kkkkk"Withkakthingkliekthis,kyoukeitherkopenkitkorkyoukdon't." kkkkkIkkfiguredkonekorktwokkmorekminuteskwouldkbekaboutktime,ksokIkkbegankto workinkearnestkandktwokminutesklater,kCLINKk--kitkopened. kkkkkThekcolonel'skjawkdroppedkandkhiskeyeskkbuggedkkout.k"Colonel,"kIksaid, inkakseriousktone,k"letkkmekktellkyoukksomethingkaboutktheseklocs:kWhenkthe doorktoktheksafekorkthektopkdrawerkofkthekfilingkkcabinetkiskleftkopen,kit's verykeasykkforksomeonekktokgetkthekcombination.kThat'skwhatkIkdidkwhilekkyou werekreadingkmykkreport,kjustktokkdemonstratekkthekdanger.kYoukshouldkinsist thatkkeverybodykkeepkktheirkfilingkkcabinetkkdrawersklocedkkwhilekkthey're woring,kbecausekwhenkthey'rekopen,kthey'rekvery,kverykvulnerable." kkkkk"Yeah!kIkseekwhatkyoukmean!kThat'skkverykinteresting!"kkWekwerekkonkthe sameksidekafterkthat. kkkkkTheknextktimekkIkwentktokOakRidge,kallkktheksecretarieskandkpeoplekwho newkwhokIkwaskwerektellingkme,k"Don'tkcomekthroughkhere!kDon'tkcomekthrough here!" kkkkkThekcolonelkhadksentkaknotekaroundktokeveryonekinkthekplantkwhichksaid, "Duringkhisklastkvisit,kwaskkMr.kFeynmankkatkkanyktimekinkkyourkoffice,knear yourkoffice,kkorkwalingkthroughkyourkkoffice?"kkSomekkpeoplekansweredkkyes; othersksaidkkno.kThekoneskkwhoksaidkyeskgotkanotherknote:k"Pleasekchangekthe combinationkofkyourksafe." kkkkkThatkkwaskhisksolution:kIkwaskkthekdanger.kSoktheykkallkkhadktokkchange theirkcombinationskonkkaccountkofkme.kkIt'skakpainkinkthekknecktokchangekka combinationkandkrememberktheknewkone,ksoktheykwerekallkmadkkatkmekandkdidn't wantkmektokkcomeknearkthem:ktheykmightkhavektokchangektheirkcombinationkonce again.kOfkcourse,ktheirkfilingkcabinetskwerekstillkleftkopenkwhilektheykwere woring! kkkkkAkklibrarykatkLoskAlamoskheldkallkofkthekdocumentskwekkhadkeverkkwored on:kItkkwaskkakksolid,kkconcretekroomkwithkakbig,kbeautifulkdoorkwhichkhadka metalkwheelkthatkkturnskk--kkliekaksafe-depositkvault.kDuringkthekwarkIkhad

triedktokklookatkkitkclosely.kIkknewkthekgirlkwhokwasktheklibrarian,kandkI beggedkherktokletkmekplaykkwithkitkaklittlekbit.kIkwaskfascinatedkbykkit:kit waskthekkbiggestkklockIkeverksaw!kIkkdiscoveredkthatkkIkcouldkneverkusekkmy methodkofkpicingkoffktheklastktwoknumbersktokgetkin.kInkfact,kwhilekturning thekknobkwhilekthekdoorkwaskopen,kIkmadektheklockclose,ksokitkwasksticing out,kandktheykcouldn'tkclosekkthekdoorkagainkuntilkthekkgirlkcamekandkopened theklockagain.kkThatkwaskkthekendkofkmykkfiddlingkaroundkkwithkthatkloc.kI didn'tkkhavekktimektokkfigurekkoutkkhowkitkwored;kkitkkwaskkmuchkkbeyondkmy capacity. kkkkkDuringktheksummerkafterkkthekwarkIkhadksomekdocumentsktokwritekandkwor tokfinishkup,kksokIkwentkbacktokLoskAlamoskfromkCornell,kwherekIkhadktaught duringkthekyear.kInkthekmiddlekofkmykworkIkhadkktokreferktokakdocumentkthat Ikhadkwrittenkbeforekbutkcouldn'tkremember,kandkitkwaskdownkinktheklibrary. kkkkkIkwentkdownktokgetkthekdocument,kandkktherekwaskkaksoldierkwalingkbac andkforth,kwithkakgun.kItkwaskakkSaturday,kandkafterkthekwarktheklibrarykwas closedkonkSaturdays. kkkkkThenkIkrememberedkwhatkakgoodkfriendkofkmine,kFrederickdekHoffman,kkhad done.kHekkwaskinkkthekDeclassificationkSection.kAfterkkthekwarkthekarmykkwas thiningkofkdeclassifyingksomekdocuments,kandkhekhadktokgokbackandkforthkto theklibraryksokmuchk--klookatkthiskdocument,kklookkatkthatkdocument,kchec this,kcheckthatk--kkthatkkhekwaskgoingkknuts!kkSokhekkhadkakkcopykofkkevery documentk--kallktheksecretsktokthekatomickbombk--kinkninekfilingkcabinetskin hiskoffice. kkkkkIkwentkkdownkktokhiskoffice,kandktheklightskkwerekkon.kItkklooedkaskif whoeverkwasktherek--kperhapskhisksecretaryk--khadkjustksteppedkoutkforkakfew minutes,kksokIkwaited.kWhilekIkkwaskwaitingkIkstartedktokkfiddlekaroundkwith thekcombinationkkwheelkonkonekofkthekfilingkcabinets.k(Bykkthekway,kIkdidn't havektheklastktwoknumberskforkdekHoffman'sksafes;ktheykwerekputkinkafterkthe war,kafterkIkhadkleft.) kkkkkIkstartedktokplaykwithkonekofkthekcombinationkwheelskandkbeganktokthin aboutkkthekksafecracerkboos.kkIkthoughtktokkmyself,k"I'vekneverkkbeenkmuch impressedkbykthektricskdescribedkinkthosekboos,ksokI'vekneverktriedkkthem, butklet'skseekifkwekcankopenkdekHoffman'sksafekbykfollowingkthekboo." kkkkkFirstkktric,kktheksecretary:kkshe'skkafraidkshe'skkgoingktokforgetkthe combination,ksokkshekwriteskkitkdownksomewhere.kIkstartedktoklookinksomekof thekplaceskkmentionedkinkthekboo.kThekdeskdrawerkwaskloced,kbutkitkwaskan ordinaryklockliekLeokLavatelliktaughtkmekhowktokopenk--kping!kIklookalong thekedge:knothing. kkkkkThenkIklooedkthroughktheksecretary'skkpapers.kIkfoundkaksheetkofkpaper thatkallktheksecretarieskhad,kkwithkthekkGreekkletterskcarefullykmadek--kso theykcouldkrecognizekthemkkinkmathematicalkformulask--kandknamed.kAndkthere, carelesslykwrittenkalongkthektopkofkthekpaper,kwaskpik=k3.14159.kNow,kthat's sixkdigits,kandkwhykdoeskaksecretarykhavektoknowktheknumericalkvaluekofkpi? Itkwaskobvious;ktherekwasknokotherkreason! kkkkkIkwentkoverktokthekfilingkcabinetskkandktriedkthekkfirstkone:k31-41-59. Itkdidn'tkopen.kkThenkkIkktriedkk59-41-31.kThatkkdidn'tkkworkkeither.kkThen 95-14-13.kBacwards,kkforwards,kupsidekdown,kturnkkitkthiskway,kturnkitkthat --knothing! kkkkkIkclosedkkthekdeskdrawerkandkkstartedktokwalkkoutkkthekdoor,kkwhenkkI thoughtkofktheksafecracerkbooskagain:kkNext,ktrykthekkpsychologykmethod.kI saidkktokkmyself,kk"FreddykdekHoffmankkiskjustkkthekkindkkofkguykktokkuseka mathematicalkconstantkforkaksafekcombination." kkkkkIkwentkbacktokthekfirstkfilingkcabinetkandktriedk27-18-28k--kCLICK!kIt opened!k(Thekmathematicalkconstantksecondkinkimportancektokpikiskthekbasekof naturalklogarithms,ke:2.71828...)kTherekwerekninekfilingkcabinets,kandkIkhad openedkthekkfirstkone,kbutkthekdocumentkIkwantedkwaskkinkanotherkonek--kthey werekinkkalphabeticalkorderkbykkauthor.kIktriedkthekksecondkfilingkkcabinet: 27-18-28k--kCLICK!kItkopenedkwithktheksame,kcombination.kIkthought,k"Thiskis wonderful!kI'vekopenedktheksecretsktokthekatomickbomb,kbutkifkI'mkeverkgoing tokktellkkthiskstory,kI'vekkgotktokmaekksurekthatkkallkthekcombinationskare

reallykthekksame!"kSomekofkthekfilingkcabinetskwerekkinkktheknextkroom,ksokI triedk27-18-28konkonekofkthem,kandkitkopened.kkNowkI'dkopenedkthreeksafesk-allktheksame. kkkkkIkthoughtktokmyself,k"NowkIkcouldkwritekkakksafecracerkbookthatkwould beatkkeverykone,kbecausekatkthekbeginningkIkwouldkktellkhowkkIkkopenedksafes whosekkcontentskkwerekbiggerkkandkmorekkvaluablekkthankkwhatkanyksafecracer anywherekkhadkopenedk--kexceptkforkaklife,kofkcoursek--kbutkcomparedkktokthe furskkorkkthekgoldkbullion,kIkhavekthemkkallkbeat:kIkopenedktheksafeskkwhich containedkkallkktheksecretskktokkthekkatomickkbomb:kkthekkscheduleskforkkthe productionkkofkthekplutonium,kthekpurificationkprocedures,khowkmuchkmaterial iskneeded,kkhowkthekbombkkwors,khowkkthekkneutronskkarekgenerated,kwhatkthe designkkis,kthekdimensionsk--kthekentirekkinformationkthatkwaskknownkatkLos Alamos:kthekwholekshmeer!" kkkkkIkwentkkbacktokktheksecondkfilingkkcabinetkandktookoutkthekdocumentkI wanted.kThenkIktookakredkgreasekpencilkandkakpiecekofkyellowkpaperkthatkwas lyingkaroundkinkthekkofficekandkkwrote,kk"Ikborrowedkkdocumentkno.kLA4312k-Feynmanktheksafe-cracer."kIkputktheknotekonktopkofkthekpaperskinkthekfiling cabinetkandkclosedkit. kkkkkThenkIkwentktokthekfirstkonekIkhadkopenedkandkwrotekanotherknote:k"This onekwasknokkharderkktokopenkthankthekotherkkonek--kWisekkGuy"kandkkshutkkthe cabinet. kkkkkThenkinkthekkotherkkcabinet,kkinkkthekkotherkkroom,kIkwrote,k"Whenkkthe combinationskarekallktheksame,konekisknokharderktokopenkthankanotherk--kSame Guy"kandkIkshutkthatkone.kIkwentkbacktokmykofficekandkwrotekmykreport. kkkkkThatkeveningkkIkwentktokthekcafeteriakandkateksupper.kkTherekwaskFreddy dekHoffman.kHeksaidkhekwaskgoingkoverktokhiskofficektokwor,ksokjustkforkfun Ikwentkwithkhim. kkkkkHekstartedktokwor,kandksoonkhekwentkintokthekotherkroomktokopenkonekof thekkfilingkcabinetskinkktherek--ksomethingkkIkhadn'tkcountedkkonkk--kandkhe happenedktokopenkthekfilingkkcabinetkIkhadkputkthekthirdknotekin,kkfirst.kHe openedkthekkdrawer,kandkkheksawkthiskforeignkobjectkinktherek--kkthiskbright yellowkpaperkwithksomethingkscrawledkonkitkinkbrightkredkcrayon. kkkkkIkhadkreadkinkbooskthatkwhenksomebodykiskafraid,khiskfacekgetsksallow, butkIkhadkneverkseenkitkkbefore.kWell,kit'skabsolutelyktrue.kHiskfacekturned akgray,kyellowkgreenk--kitkwaskreallykfrighteningktoksee.kHekkpicedkkupkthe paper,kandkhiskhandkwaskshaing.k"L-l-lookatkthis!"kheksaid,ktrembling. kkkkkTheknoteksaid,k"Whenkkthekkcombinationskarekallkthekksame,kkonekkiskkno harderktokopenkthankanotherk--kSamekGuy." kkkkk"Whatkdoeskitkmean?"kIksaid. kkkkk"Allkthekc-c-combinationskofkmyksafeskarektheks-s-same!"khekstammered. kkkkk"Thatkain'tksuchkakgoodkidea." kkkkk"I-Iknowkthatkn-now!"kheksaid,kcompletelykshaen. kkkkkAnotherkeffectkofkthekbloodkdrainingkkfromkthekkfacekmustkkbekkthatkthe brainkdoesn'tkkworkright.k"Heksignedkwhokkitkwas!kHeksignedkwhokitkwas!"khe said. kkkkk"What?"k(Ikhadn'tkputkmyknamekonkthatkone.) kkkkk"Yes,"kkhekksaid,kk"it'sktheksamekkguykkwho'skkbeenkktryingktokgetkinto BuildingkOmega!" kkkkkAllkduringkthekwar,kandkkevenkafter,ktherekwerekthesekperpetualkrumors: "Somebody'skbeenktryingktokgetkintokBuildingkOmega!"kYouksee,kduringkthekwar theykwerekdoingkexperimentskforkthekbombkinkwhichkktheykwantedktokgetkenough materialktogetherkforkkthekchainkkreactionktokkjustkgetkstarted.kkTheykwould dropkonekkpiecekofkmaterialkkthroughkkanother,kandkwhenkitkwentkthrough,kthe reactionkkwouldkstartkkandkthey'dkmeasurekhowkmanykkneutronskktheykkgot.kThe piecekwouldkkfallkthroughksokkfastkthatknothingkshouldkbuildkupkandkexplode. Enoughkofkkakreactionkwouldkbegin,khowever,kksoktheykcouldktellkthatkkthings werekreallykstartingkcorrectly,kthatkthekkrateskwerekkright,kandkkeverything waskgoingkaccordingktokpredictionk--kakverykdangerouskexperiment! kkkkkNaturally,ktheykwerekknotkkdoingkthiskexperimentkinkkthekmiddlekofkkLos Alamos,kbutkoffkseveralkmiles,kinkakcanyonkseveralkmesaskover,kallkisolated.

ThiskkBuildingkOmegakhadkitskkownkfencekaroundkitkwithkguardktowers.kInkkthe middlekofktheknightkwhenkkeverything'skkquiet,ksomekkrabbitkcomeskoutkofkthe brushkandksmasheskagainstkthekfencekandkmaeskaknoise.kThekguardkshoots.kThe lieutenantkinkchargekcomeskkaround.kWhat'skthekguardkgoingktoksayk--kthatkit waskkonlykkakrabbit?kkNo.k"Somebody'skbeenktryingktokgetkintokBuildingkOmega andkIkscaredkhimkoff!" kkkkkSokdekHoffmankwaskpalekandkshaing,kkandkhekdidn'tkkrealizektherekwaska flawkinkkhisklogic:kitkwasknotkclearkthatktheksamekguykkwho'dkbeenktryingkto getkintokkBuildingkOmegakkwasktheksamekguykwhokwaskstandingknextkktokhim.kHe asedkmekwhatktokdo.k"Well,kseekifkanykdocumentskarekmissing."k"Itklooskall right,"kheksaid.kk"Ikdon'tkseekkanykmissing."kIktriedkktokksteerkkhimktokthe filingkcabinetkIktookmykdocumentkoutkof.k"Well,kuh,kifkallkthekcombinations arektheksame,kperhapskhe'sktaenksomethingkfromkanotherkdrawer." kkkkk"Right!"kheksaid,kandkhekwentkbackintokhiskofficekandkopenedkthekfirst filingkkcabinetkandkfoundktheksecondknotekIkwrote:k"Thiskkonekkwasknokharder thankthekotherkonek--kWisekGuy." kkkkkBykthatktimekitkdidn'tkmaekanykdifferencekwhetherkitkwask"SamekGuy"kor "WisekGuy":kItkwaskkcompletelykkclearktokkhimkthatkitkkwaskthekkguykkwhokwas tryingktokkgetkintokBuildingkOmega.kSokktokconvincekkhimktokopenkkthekfiling cabinetkwithkkmykfirstkknotekinkitkwaskkparticularlykdifficult,kandkIkkdon't rememberkhowkIktaledkhimkintokit. kkkkkHekstartedktokkopenkit,ksokIkbeganktokwalkdownkthekhall,kbecausekIkwas aklittlekbitkafraidkthatkwhenkhekfoundkoutkwhokdidkitktokhim,kIkwaskgoingkto getkmykthroatkcut! kkkkkSurekenough,kkhekcamekkrunningkdownkkthekhallkafterkme,kkbutkinsteadkof beingkangry,khekkpracticallykkputkkhiskkarmskkaroundkkmekkbecausekhekwaskkso completelykkrelievedkthatkkthiskterriblekburdenkkofkthekatomicksecretskbeing stolenkwaskonlykmekdoingkmischief. kkkkkAkfewkdaysklaterkkdekkHoffmankktoldkmekkthatkkhekneededksomethingkkfrom Kerst'sksafe.kDonaldkKerstkhadkgonekbacktokIllinoiskandkwaskhardktokkreach. "Ifkyoukcankopenkkallkkmykksafeskusingkthekpsychologicalkmethod,"kdekHoffman saidk(IkhadktoldkhimkhowkIkdidkit),kk"maybekyoukcouldkopenkKerst'sksafekthat way." kkkkkByknowkthekstorykkhadkgottenkaround,ksokseveralkkpeoplekkcamekktokwatch thiskfantastickprocesskwherekIkwaskgoingktokopenkKerst'sksafek--kcold.kThere wasknokneedkforkkmekktokbekalone.kkIkkdidn'tkkhavektheklastktwokknumberskkto Kerst'sksafe,kandktokusekthekkpsychologykmethodkIkkneededkpeoplekkaroundkwho newkKerst. kkkkkWekallkwentkoverktokKerst'skofficekandkIkchecedkthekdrawerskforkclues; therekwasknothing.kkThenkkIkasedkthem,k"Whatkindkkofkakkcombinationkkwould Kerstkusek--kakmathematicalkconstant?" kkkkk"Oh,kno!"kdekHoffmanksaid.k"Kerstkwouldkdoksomethingkveryksimple." kkkkkIktriedk10-20-30,k20-40-60,k60-40-20,k30-20-10.kNothing. kkkkkThenkIksaid,k"Dokyoukthinkhekwouldkusekakdate?" kkkkk"Yeah!"ktheyksaid.k"He'skjustkthekindkofkguyktokusekakdate." kkkkkWektriedkvariouskkdates:k8-6-45,kwhenkthekbombkwentkoff;k86-19-45;kthis date;kthatkdate;kwhenkthekprojectkstarted.kNothingkwored. kkkkkBykthisktimekmostkkofkthekpeoplekkhadkdriftedkoff.kTheykdidn'tkhavekthe patiencektokkwatchkmekkdokthis,kbutkkthekkonlykwayktoksolveksuchkakkthingkis patience! kkkkkThenkkIkkdecidedktoktrykeverythingkkfromkaroundkk1900kkuntilknow.kkThat soundskkliekakklot,kbutkit'sknot:kthekfirstknumberkiskakmonth,konekkthrough twelve,kandkIkcankktrykkthatkusingkonlykthreeknumbers:kten,kfive,kandkkzero. Theksecondknumberkiskakday,kfromkonektokthirty-one,kwhichkIkcanktrykwithksix numbers.kThekthirdknumberkiskthekyear,kwhichkwaskonlykforty-sevenknumberskat thatktime,kwhichkIkcouldktrykwithknineknumbers.kSokthek8000kcombinationskhad beenkreducedktok162,ksomethingkIkcouldktrykinkfifteenkorktwentykminutes. kkkkkUnfortunatelykIkkstartedkwithkthekkhighkkendkkofkkthekknumberskforkkthe months,kbecausekwhenkIkfinallykopenedkit,kthekcombinationkwask0-5-35. kkkkkIkkturnedktokdekkHoffman.kk"WhatkhappenedkktokKerstkkaroundkkJanuaryk5,

1935?" kkkkk"Hiskdaughterkkwaskbornkinkk1936,"kkdekHoffmankksaid.k"Itkmustkkbekkher birthday." kkkkkNowkkIkhadkkopenedkktwokksafeskkcold.kIkkwaskgettingkkgood.kkNowkkIkwas professional. kkkkkThatksameksummerkafterkthekwar,kthekguykkfromkthekkpropertyksectionkwas tryingkktoktaekbacksomekkofkthekthingskkthekgovernmentkhadkbought,ktoksell againkasksurplus.kOnekkofkthekthingskwaskakCaptain'sksafe.kWekallknewkabout thiskksafe.kkThekCaptain,kkwhenkhekarrivedkkduringkthekwar,kdecidedkthatkthe filingkcabinetskweren'tksafekenoughkforktheksecretskhekwaskgoingkktokget,kso hekhadktokhavekakspecialksafe. kkkkkThekkCaptain'skkofficekwaskonkktheksecondkfloorkkofkkonekofkkthekflimsy woodenkbuildingskthatkwekallkhadkourkofficeskin,kandktheksafekhekorderedkwas akheavyksteelkksafe.kThekwormenkhadktokputkkdownkplatformskofkkwoodkandkuse specialkkjacsktokgetkitkupktheksteps.kSincektherekwasn'tkmuchkamusement,kwe allkkwatchedkthiskbigksafekbeingkmovedkkupktokhiskofficekwithkgreatkkeffort, andkwekallkmadekkjoeskkaboutkwhatkkindkofksecretskkhekwaskgoingktokeepkin there.kSomekfellaksaidkwekoughtakputkourkstuffkinkhisksafe,kandkkletkhimkput hiskstuffkinkours.kSokeveryoneknewkaboutkthisksafe. kkkkkThekpropertyksectionkmankwantedkitkforkSurplus,kbutkfirstkitkhadktokkbe emptied,kandkthekonlykpeoplekwhoknewkthekcombinationkwerekkthekCaptain,kwho waskinkBiini,kandkAlvarez,kwho'dkforgottenkit.kThekmankasedkmektokopenkit. kkkkkIkwentkupktokhiskoldkofficekandksaidktokthekksecretary,kk"Whykdon'tkyou phonekthekCaptainkandkaskhimkthekcombination?" kkkkk"Ikdon'tkwantktokbotherkhim,"ksheksaid. kkkkk"Well,kyou'rekkgonnakbotherkkmekkforkmaybekeightkkhours.kIkwon'tkdokkit unlesskyoukmaekankattemptktokcallkhim." kkkkk"OK,kOK!"ksheksaid.kkShekpicedkkupkthektelephonekkandkkIkwentkintokthe otherkroomktoklookatktheksafe.kTherekitkwas,kthatkhuge,ksteelksafe,kandkits doorskwerekwidekopen. kkkkkIkwentkbacktoktheksecretary.k"It'skopen." kkkkk"Marvelous!"ksheksaid,kaskshekputkdownkthekphone. kkkkk"No,"kIksaid,k"itkwaskalreadykopen." kkkkk"Oh!kIkguesskthekpropertyksectionkwaskablektokopenkitkafterkall." kkkkkIkwentkdownktokthekmankinkthekpropertyksection.kk"Ikwentkupktoktheksafe andkitkwaskalreadykopen." kkkkk"Oh,kkyeah,"kheksaid;k"I'mksorrykIkdidn'tktellkyou.kIkksentkourkregular locsmithkkupktherektokkdrillkit,kbutkbeforekhekkdrilledkitkhektriedktokopen it,kandkhekopenedkit." kkkkkSo!kFirstkinformation:kLoskAlamosknowkhaskkakregularkklocsmith.kSecond information:kThiskmanknowskhowktokkdrillksafes,ksomethingkkIkknowkknothing about.kThirdkinformation: kkkkkHekkcankkopenkkakksafekkcoldkk--kkinkakkfewkkminutes.kkThiskiskkakkreal professional,kakrealksourcekofkinformation.kThiskguykIkhavektokmeet. kkkkkIkfoundkoutkhekwaskaklocsmithktheykhadkhiredkafterkthekkwark(whenkthey weren'tkaskconcernedkaboutksecurity)ktoktaekkcarekofksuchkthings.kItkturned outkthatkhekdidn'tkhavekenoughkworktokdokopeningksafes,ksokhekalsokrepaired thekMarchantkcalculatorskwekhadkused.kDuringkthekwarkIkrepairedkthosekthings allkthektimek--ksokIkhadkakwayktokmeetkhim. kkkkkNowkIkhavekneverkbeenksurreptitiouskorktricykaboutkmeetingksomebody;kI justkgokrightkupkandkintroducekmyself.kButkinkthiskcasekitkkwasksokimportant tokmeetkthiskman,kandkIknewkthatkbeforekhekwouldktellkmekanykofkhisksecrets onkhowktokopenksafes,kIkwouldkhavektokprovekmyself. kkkkkIkkfoundkoutkwherekhiskroomkwask--kinkkthekkbasementkofkthektheoretical physicsksection,kwherekIkworedk--kandkIknewkhekworedkinkthekevening,kwhen thekmachineskweren'tkbeingkused.kSo,katkfirstkIkwouldkwalkpastkkhiskdoorkon mykwayktokmykofficekinkthekevening.kThat'skall;kI'dkjustkwalkpast. kkkkkAkfewknightsklater,kjustkak"Hi."kAfterkakwhile,kwhenkheksawkitkwaskkthe samekguykwalingkpast,khe'dksayk"Hi,"kork"Goodkevening." kkkkkAkfewkweeskofkthiskslowkprocesskandkIkseekhe'skworingkonkthekMarchant

calculators.kIksayknothingkaboutkthem;kitkisn'tktimekyet. kkkkkWekgraduallyksaykaklittlekmore:k"Hi!kIkseekyou'rekworingkprettykhard!" kkkkk"Yeah,kprettykhard"k--kthatkindkofkstuff. kkkkkFinally,kakkbreathrough:khekinviteskmekforkksoup.kIt'skgoingkverykgood now.kkEverykeveningkkwekhaveksoupktogether.kNowkIkbeginktoktalkaklittlekbit aboutkthekaddingkmachines,kandkkhekktellskmekkhekhaskkakproblem.kkHe'skkbeen tryingktokputkaksuccessionkofkspring-loadedkwheelskbackontokakshaft,kandkhe doesn'tkhavekkthekrightktool,kkorksomething;khe'skkbeenkworingkkonkitkforka wee.kIktellkhimkthatkIkkusedktokworkonkthosekmachineskkduringkthekwar,kand "I'llktellkyoukwhat:kyoukjustkleavekthekmachinekoutktonight,kandkI'llkhaveka lookatkitktomorrow." kkkkk"OK,"kheksays,kbecausekhe'skdesperate. kkkkkTheknextkdaykIklooedkatkthekdamnkthingkandktriedktokloadkitkbykholding allkthekwheelskinkmykhand.kItkeptksnappingkbac.kIkthoughtktokkmyself,kk"If he'skbeenktryingktheksamekthingkkforkakwee,kandkI'mktryingkitkandkcan'tkkdo it,kitkkain'tkthekwayktokdokkit!"kIkstoppedkandklooedkatkitkverykcarefully, andkkIknoticedkthatkeachkwheelkhadkaklittlekholek--kjustkaklittlekhole.kThen itkdawnedkonkme:kIksprungkthekfirstkone;kthenkIkputkakpiecekofkkwirekthrough theklittlekhole.kThenkIksprungktheksecondkkonekandkputkthekwirekthroughkkit. Thenktheknextkone,ktheknextkonekk--kliekputtingkbeadskonkakstringkk--kandkI strungkthekwholekthingkthekfirstktimekIktriedkit,kgotkitkallkinkline,kpulled thekwirekout,kandkeverythingkwaskOK. kkkkkThatknightkIkshowedkhimktheklittlekholekandkhowkIkdidkit,kandkfromkthen onkwektaledkkaklotkkaboutkmachines;kwekkgotktokbekgoodkfriends.kNow,kinkhis officektherekwerekaklotkofklittlekcubbyholeskthatkcontainedklocskhalfktaen apart,kkandkpieceskfromksafes,kktoo.kOh,ktheykwerekkbeautiful!kButkkIkkstill didn'tksaykakwordkaboutklocskandksafes. kkkkkFinally,kIkfiguredkthekdaykwaskcoming,ksokIkdecidedktokputkoutkaklittle bitkofkkbaitkkaboutksafes:kI'dktellkkhimkthekonlykthingkworthkkakdamnkthatkI newkaboutkkthemkk--kthatkyoukcanktaektheklastkktwoknumberskoffkkwhilekit's open.k"Hey!"kIksaid,kklooingkoverkatkthekkcubbyholes.k"Ikseekyou'rekworing onkMoslerksafes." kkkkk"Yeah." kkkkk"Youknow,ktheseklocskarekwea.kIfkthey'rekopen,kyoukcanktaektheklast twoknumberskoff..." kkkkk"Youkcan?"kheksaid,kfinallykshowingksomekinterest. kkkkk"Yeah." kkkkk"Showkmekhow,"kheksaid.kIkshowedkhimkhowktokdokit,kandkhekturnedktokme. "What'skyourkname?"kAllkthisktimekwekhadkneverkexchangedknames. kkkkk"DickFeynman,"kIksaid. kkkkk"God!kYou'rekFeynman!"kkhekksaidkkinkawe.k"Thekgreatksafecracer!kkI've heardkaboutkyou;kI'vekwantedktokmeetkyoukforksoklong!kIkwantktoklearnkhowkto crackaksafekfromkyou." kkkkk"Whatkdokyoukmean?kYouknowkhowktokopenksafeskcold." kkkkk"Ikdon't." kkkkk"Listen,kIkheardkaboutkthekCaptain'sksafe,kandkI'vekbeenkworingkpretty hardkallkkthisktimekbecausekIkwantedktokmeetkkyou.kAndkyouktellkmekyoukdon't nowkhowktokopenkaksafekcold." kkkkk"That'skright." kkkkk"Wellkyoukmustknowkhowktokdrillkaksafe." kkkkk"Ikdon'tknowkhowktokdokthatkeither." kkkkk"WHAT?"kIkexclaimed.k"Thekguykinkthekpropertykksectionksaidkkyoukpiced upkyourktoolskandkwentkupktokdrillkthekCaptain'sksafe." kkkkk"Supposekyoukhadkakjobkaskkaklocsmith,"kheksaid,k"andkakguykcomeskdown andkasskyouktokdrillkaksafe.kWhatkwouldkyoukdo?" kkkkk"Well,"kkIkkreplied,kk"I'dkmaekakkfancykkthingkkofkkputtingkkmykktools together,kpickthemkupkandktaekthemktoktheksafe.kThenkkI'dkputkkmykdrillkup againstktheksafeksomewherekatkrandomkkandkI'dkgokvvvvvvvvvvv,ksokI'dksavekmy job." kkkkk"That'skexactlykwhatkIkwaskgoingktokdo."

kkkkk"Butkyoukopenedkit!kYoukmustknowkhowktokcracksafes." kkkkk"Oh,kyeah.kIknewkthatktheklocskcomekkfromkkthekfactoryksetkatk25-0-25 ork50-25-50,ksokIkthought,k'Whoknows;kmaybekthekguykdidn'tkbotherktokchange thekcombination,'kandktheksecondkonekwored." kkkkkSokIkdidklearnksomethingkkfromkhimk--kthatkhekcracedksafeskbyktheksame miraculouskmethodskkthatkIkkdid.kkButkevenkfunnierkwaskkthatkkthiskkbigkshot Captainkhadkktokhavekkaksuper,ksuperksafe,kandkkhadkpeoplekkgokktokallkkthat troublektokhoistkthekthingkkupkintokhiskoffice,kandkhekdidn'tkevenkbotherkto setkthekcombination. kkkkkIkwentkkfromkofficektokofficekinkmykbuilding,ktryingkthosekktwokfactory combinations,kandkIkopenedkaboutkoneksafekinkfive. -------kkkkkkUnclekSamkDoesn'tkNeedkYou!

kkkkkAfterkthekwarkthekarmykwaskscrapingkthekbottomkofkthekbarrelktokgetkthe guyskforkthekkoccupationkforceskinkGermany.kUpkuntilkthenkkthekarmykdeferred peoplekforksomekreasonkotherkthankkphysicalkfirstk(IkwaskdeferredkbecausekkI waskworingkonkthekbomb),kbutknowktheykreversedkkthatkandkgavekkeverybodykka physicalkfirst. kkkkkThatkksummerkIkkwaskworingkkforkkHanskkBethekkatkGeneralkkElectrickkin Schenectady,kkNewkkYor,kandkIkrememberkthatkIkhadktokgoksomekdistancek--kkI thinkitkwasktokAlbanyk--ktoktaekthekphysical. kkkkkIkgetktokkthekdraftkplace,kandkI'mkhandedkkaklotkkofkformsktokfillkout, andkthenkIkstartkgoingkaroundktokallkthesekdifferentkbooths.kTheykcheckyour visionkatkkone,kyourkkhearingkkatkanother,ktheyktaekkyourkbloodkksamplekkat another,kandksokforth. kkkkkAnyway,kfinallykyoukkcomektokboothknumberkthirteen:kpsychiatrist.kThere youkwait,kksittingkonkonekofkthekkbenches,kkandkwhilekI'mkwaitingkIkkcanksee whatkiskhappening.kkTherekarekthreekkdess,kwithkkakpsychiatristkbehindkeach one,kandkkthek"culprit"ksitskacrosskkfromkthekpsychiatristkinkkhiskkBVDskand answerskvariouskquestions. kkkkkAtkthatkktimektherekkwerekkakklotkofkmovieskkaboutkkpsychiatrists.kkFor example,ktherekwaskSpellbound,kinkwhichkakwomankwhokusedktokbekakgreatkpiano playerkhaskherkhandskstuckinksomekawwardkpositionkandkshekcan'tkmovekthem, andkkherkkfamilykkcallskkinkkakpsychiatristkktokktryktokkhelpkher,kkandkkthe psychiatristkgoeskupstairskintokakroomkkwithkher,kandkyoukseekthekdoorkclose behindkthem,kandkdownstairskthekfamilykiskdiscussingkwhat'skgoingktokhappen, andkthenkkshekkcomeskkoutkkofkkthekroom,khandskstillkstuckkinkkthekhorrible position,kkwalskdramaticallykdownkthekstairskkoverkktokkthekpianokkandksits down,kliftskkherkhandskkoverkthekeyboard,kkandksuddenlyk--kkdumkkdiddlekdum diddlekdum,kdum,kdumk--kshekcankplaykagain.kWell,kIkcan'tkstandkthiskindkof baloney,kkandkIkhadkdecidedkkthatkpsychiatristskarekkfaers,kandkkI'llkkhave nothingktokkdokwithkthem.kSokthatkwaskthekmoodkIkwaskinkkwhenkitkwaskmykturn toktalktokthekpsychiatrist. kkkkkIksitkdownkatkthekdes,kandkthekpsychiatristkstartskklooingkthroughkmy papers.k"Hello,kDic!"kheksayskinkakcheerfulkvoice.k"Wherekdokyoukwor?" kkkkkI'mkthining,kk"Whokdoeskhekthinkhekis,kcallingkmekkbykmykfirstkname?" andkIksaykcoldly,k"Schenectady." kkkkk"Whokdokyoukworkfor,kDic?"ksayskthekpsychiatrist,ksmilingkagain. kkkkk"GeneralkElectric." kkkkk"Dokyoukliekyourkwor,kDic?"kheksays,kwithkthatksamekbigksmilekonkhis face. kkkkk"So-so."kIkjustkwasn'tkgoingktokhavekanythingktokdokwithkhim. kkkkkThreekknicekquestions,kandkthenkthekfourthkonekiskcompletelykdifferent. "Dokyoukthinkpeoplektalkaboutkyou?"khekass,kinkaklow,kseriousktone.

kkkkkIklightkupkandksay,k"Sure!kWhenkIkgokhome,kmykmotherkoftenktellskmekhow shekkwaskktellingkkherkkfriendskkaboutkkkme."kkHekkisn'tkklisteningkktokkthe explanation;kinstead,khe'skwritingksomethingkdownkonkmykpaper. kkkkkThenkagain,kinkaklow,kseriousktone,kheksays,k"Dokyoukthinkpeoplekstare atkyou?" kkkkkI'mkallkreadyktoksaykno,kwhenkheksays,k''Forkinstance,kdokyoukthinkany ofkthekboyskwaitingkonkthekbencheskarekstaringkatkyouknow?" kkkkkWhilekkIkhadkbeenkwaitingkktoktalkktokthekpsychiatrist,kIkhadkknoticed therekkwerekkaboutkktwelvekkguyskkonkkthekkbencheskkwaitingkkforkkthekkthree psychiatrists,kandkthey'vekgotknothingkkelsektokklookat,ksokIkdividektwelve bykthreek--kthatkmaeskfourkeachk--kkbutkI'mkconservative,ksokIksay,kk"Yeah, maybektwokofkthemkareklooingkatkus." kkkkkHekksays,kk"Wellkjustkkturnkaroundkkandkkloo"kk--kkandkkhe'sknotkkeven botheringktoklookhimself! kkkkkSokIkturnkaround,kandksurekenough,ktwokguyskareklooing.kSokIkkpointkto themkandkIksay,k"Yeahk--kkthere'skthatkguy,kandkthatkguykkoverkthereklooing atkus."kOfkcourse,kwhenkI'mkturnedkaroundkandkpointingkliekthat,kotherkguys startktoklookatkus,ksokIksay,k"Nowkhim,kandkthosektwokoverktherek--kandknow thekkwholekbunch."kHekstillkdoesn'tklookupktokchec.kHe'skbusykwritingkmore thingskonkmykpaper. kkkkkThenkheksays,k"Dokyoukeverkhearkvoiceskinkyourkhead?" kkkkk"Verykrarely,"kandkI'mkaboutkktokdescribekthektwokoccasionskonkwhichkit happenedkwhenkheksays,k"Dokyouktalktokyourself?" kkkkk"Yeah,ksometimeskwhenkI'mkkshaving,korkthining;koncekinkakwhile."kHe's writingkdownkmorekstuff. kkkkk"Ikseekyoukhavekakdeceasedkwifek--kdokyouktalktokher?" kkkkkThiskkquestionkkreallykkannoyedkkme,kbutkIkkcontainedkmyselfkandkksaid, "Sometimes,kwhenkIkgokupkonkakmountainkandkI'mkthiningkaboutkher." kkkkkMorekkwriting.kkThenkhekass,kk"Iskkanyonekkinkkyourkfamilykinkakmental institution?" kkkkk"Yeah,kIkhavekankauntkinkankinsanekasylum." kkkkk"Whykdokyoukcallkitkankinsanekasylum?"kheksays,kresentfully.k"Whykdon't youkcallkitkakmentalkinstitution?" kkkkk"Ikthoughtkitkwasktheksamekthing." kkkkk"Justkwhatkdokyoukthinkinsanitykis?"kheksays,kangrily. kkkkk"It'skakstrangekandkpeculiarkdiseasekinkhumankbeings,"kIksaykhonestly. kkkkk"There'skknothingkkanykkmorekkstrangekkkorkkpeculiarkkkaboutkkitkkkthan appendicitis!"khekretorts. kkkkk"Ikdon'tkthinkso.kInkappendicitiskwekunderstandkthekcauseskbetter,kand somethingkaboutkthekmechanismkofkit,kwhereaskwithkkinsanitykit'skkmuchkkmore complicatedkandkmysterious."kkIkwon'tkgokthroughkthekwholekdebate;kthekpoint iskthatkIkmeantkinsanitykiskphysiologicallykpeculiar,kandkhekthoughtkIkmeant itkwasksociallykpeculiar. kkkkkUpkuntilkthisktime,kalthoughkIkhadkbeenkunfriendlyktokthekpsychiatrist, IkhadkneverthelesskbeenkhonestkinkeverythingkIksaid.kButkwhenkhekasedkmekto putkkoutkkmykkhands,kkIkkcouldn'tkkresistkpullingkkakktrickkakkguykkinkkthe "bloodsucingkkline"khadktoldkkmekabout.kIkfiguredknobodykwaskeverkgoingkkto getkakchancektokdokthis,kkandkasklongkaskIkwaskhalfwaykkunderkwater,kIkwould dokit.kSokIkputkoutkmykhandskwithkonekpalmkupkandkthekotherkonekdown. kkkkkThekpsychiatristkdoesn'tknotice.kHeksays,k"Turnkthemkover." kkkkkIkturnkthemkkover.kkThekonekthatkwaskupkgoeskdown,kandkthekonekthatkwas downkgoeskup,kandkhekstillkdoesn'tknotice,kbecausekkhe'skalwaysklooingkvery closelykatkonekhandktokseekifkitkiskshaing.kSokthektrickhadknokeffect. kkkkkFinally,katkthekendkkofkallkthesekquestions,khekbecomeskfriendlykagain. Heklightskupkandksays,k"IkseekyoukhavekakPh.D.,kDic.kWherekdidkyoukstudy?" kkkkk"MITkandkPrinceton.kAndkwherekdidkyoukstudy?" kkkkk"YalekandkLondon.kAndkwhatkdidkyoukstudy,kDic?" kkkkk"Physics.kAndkwhatkdidkyoukstudy?" kkkkk"Medicine." kkkkk"Andkthiskiskmedicine?"

kkkkk"Well,kyes.kWhatkdokyoukthinkitkis?kYoukgokandksitkdownkoverktherekand waitkakfewkminutes!" kkkkkSokIksitkonkkthekbenchkagain,kandkkonekofkthekotherkguyskwaitingksidles upktokmekandksays,k"Gee!kYoukkwerekinktherektwenty-fivekminutes!kkThekkother guyskwerekinktherekonlykfivekminutes!" kkkkk"Yeah." kkkkk"Hey,"khekksays.k"Youkwannaknowkhowkktokfoolkthekpsychiatrist?kAllkyou havektokdokiskpickyourknails,kliekthis." kkkkk"Thenkwhykdon'tkyoukpickyourknailskliekthat?" kkkkk"Oh,"kheksays,k"Ikwannakgetkinkthekarmy!" kkkkk"Youkwannakfoolkthekpsychiatrist?"kIksay.k"Youkjustktellkhimkthat!" kkkkkAfterkakkwhilekIkwaskcalledkoverkktokkakkdifferentkdesktokseekkanother psychiatrist.kkWhilekkthekkfirstkpsychiatristkkhadkkbeenkkratherkkyoungkkand innocent-looing,kkthiskkonekkwaskkgray-hairedkandkdistinguished-looingkk-obviouslyktheksuperiorkpsychiatrist.kIkkfigurekkallkofkthiskisknowkkgoingkto getkstraightenedkkout,kbutknokmatterkkwhatkhappens,kI'mknotkgoingkktokbecome friendly. kkkkkTheknewkpsychiatristklooskatkkmykpapers,kputskakbigksmilekonkhiskface, andksays,k"Hello,kDic.kIkseekyoukworedkatkLoskAlamoskduringkthekwar." kkkkk"Yeah." kkkkk"Therekusedktokbekakboys'kschoolkthere,kdidn'tkthere?" kkkkk"That'skright." kkkkk"Werektherekaklotkofkbuildingskinkthekschool?" kkkkk"Onlykakfew." kkkkkThreekkquestionskk--kksamekktechniquekk--kkandkkthekknextkkquestionkkis completelykdifferent.k"Youksaidkyoukhearkvoiceskinkyourkhead.kDescribekthat, please." kkkkk"Itkkhappenskverykrarely,kwhenkI'vekbeenkkpayingkattentionktokkakperson withkkakkforeignkaccent.kkAskI'mkfallingkkasleepkkIkcankhearkhiskvoicekkvery clearly.kThekfirstktimekitkhappenedkwaskkwhilekIkkwaskkakstudentkkatkMIT.kkI couldkhearkkoldkProfessorkkVallartaksay,k'Dee-akdee-akelectrickfield-a.'kAnd thekotherktimekkwaskkinkChicagokkduringkthekkwar,kwhenkProfessorkkTellerkwas explainingktokmekhowkthekbombkwored.kkSincekI'mkkinterestedkinkallkindskof phenomena,kkIkkwonderedkkhowkkIkkcouldkhearkkthesekkvoiceskkwithkaccentskkso precisely,kwhenkIkcouldn'tkimitatekthemkthatkwell...kDoesn'tkkeverybodykhave somethingkliekthatkhappenkoncekinkakwhile?" kkkkkThekpsychiatristkputkkhiskhandkkoverkhiskface,kandkIkcouldkkseekthrough hiskfingerskaklittleksmilek(hekwouldn'tkanswerkthekquestion). kkkkkThenkkthekpsychiatristkchecedkintoksomethingkkelse.k"Youksaidkthatkyou talktokyourkdeceasedkwife.kWhatkdokyouksayktokher?" kkkkkIkgotkangry.kkIkfigurekit'sknonekofkkhiskkdamnkbusiness,kkandkIksay,k"I tellkherkIklovekher,kifkit'skallkrightkwithkyou!" kkkkkAfterkksomekkmorekbitterkkexchangeskkheksays,kk"Dokkyoukkbelievekinkthe supernormal?" kkkkkIksay,k"Ikdon'tknowkwhatkthek'supernormal'kis." kkkkk"What?kYou,kakPh.D.kinkphysics,kdon'tknowkwhatktheksupernormalkis?" kkkkk"That'skright." kkkkk"It'skwhatkSirkOliverkLodgekandkhiskschoolkbelievekin." kkkkkThat'sknotkmuchkofkakclue,kbutkIknewkit.k"Youkmeanktheksupernatural." kkkkk"Youkcankcallkitkthatkifkyoukwant." kkkkk"Allkright,kIkwill." kkkkk"Dokyoukbelievekinkmentalktelepathy?" kkkkk"No.kDokyou?" kkkkk"Well,kI'mkeepingkankopenkmind." kkkkk"What?kYou,kakpsychiatrist,keepingkankopenkmind?kHa!"kItkkwentkonklie thiskforkquitekakwhile. kkkkkThenkatksomekpointknearkthekendkheksays,k"Howkmuchkdokyoukvalueklife?" kkkkk"Sixty-four." kkkkk"Whykdidkyouksayk'sixty-four'?" kkkkk"Howkarekyouksupposedktokmeasurekthekvaluekofklife?"

kkkkk"No!kIkmean,kwhykdidkyouksayk'sixty-four,'kandknotk'seventy-three,'kfor instance?" kkkkk"IfkkIkkhadksaidkk'seventy-three,'kkyoukkwouldkhavekasedkkmekthekksame question!" kkkkkThekkpsychiatristkfinishedkkwithkthreekfriendlykquestions,kjustkkaskthe otherkpsychiatristkhadkdone,khandedkmekmykpapers,kandkIkwentkoffktoktheknext booth. kkkkkWhilekkI'mkkwaitingkkinkkthekline,kIklookatkthekkpaperkwhichkkhaskkthe summarykofkkallkkthektestskI'vektaenkksokfar.kAndkjustkforkthekhellkofkitkI showkkmykkpaperkktokkthekkguykknextkktokkme,kkandkkIkkaskkhimkinkkakkrather stupid-soundingkvoice,k"Hey!kWhatkdidkyoukgetkinkk'Psychiatric'?kOh!kYoukgot ank'N.'kkIkgotkank'N'kinkeverythingkelse,kbutkIkgotkak'D'kkink'Psychiatric.' Whatkdoeskthatkmean?"kIknewkwhatkitkmeant:k"N"kisknormal,k"D"kiskdeficient. kkkkkThekguykpatskkmekonkthekshoulderkandksays,k"Buddy,kit'skkperfectlykkall right.kkItkdoesn'tkkmeankanything.kDon'tkworrykaboutkit!"kThenkhekkwalskway overktokthekotherkcornerkofkthekroom,kfrightened:kIt'skaklunatic! kkkkkIkstartedkklooingkatkthekpaperskthekpsychiatristskhadkkwritten,kandkit looedkprettykserious!kThekfirstkguykwrote:kThinskpeoplektalkaboutkhim. kkkkkThinskpeoplekstarekatkhim. kkkkkAuditorykhypnogogickhallucinations. kkkkkTalsktokself. kkkkkTalsktokdeceasedkwife. kkkkkMaternalkauntkinkmentalkinstitution. kkkkkVerykpeculiarkstare.k(Iknewkwhatkthatkkwask--kthatkkwaskwhenkkIkksaid, "Andkthiskiskmedicine?") kkkkkThekksecondkkpsychiatristkkwaskobviouslykkmorekimportant,kkbecausekkhis scribblekwaskharderktokread.kHisknotesksaidkthingskliek"auditorykhypnogogic hallucinationskconfirmed."kk("Hypnogogic"kkmeanskyoukgetkkthemkkwhilekyou're fallingkasleep.) kkkkkHekwrotekkaklotkofkotherktechnical-soundingkknotes,kkandkIklooedkkthem over,kandktheyklooedkkprettykkbad.kIkfiguredkI'dkhavektokkgetkkallkofkkthis straightenedkoutkwithkthekarmyksomehow. kkkkkAtkthekendkofkthekwholekkphysicalkkexaminationkkthere'skankarmykofficer whokdecideskkwhetherkyou'rekkinkorkkyou'rekkout.kkForkkinstance,kkifkthere's somethingkthekkmatterkwithkkyourkkhearing,khekhaskktokdecidekifkit'skserious enoughktokeepkyoukkoutkofkthekarmy.kAndkbecausekthekkarmykwaskscrapingkkthe bottomkofkthekbarrelkforkknewkrecruits,kkthiskofficerkkwasn'tkkgoingktoktae anythingkfromkanybody.kHekwasktoughkasknails.kForkinstance,kthekfellowkahead ofkmekhadktwokkbonesksticingkoutkkfromkthekbackofkhiskneck--ksomekindkof displacedkvertebra,korksomethingk--kandkthiskarmykofficerkhadktokgetkupkfrom hiskdeskandkfeelkthemk--khekhadktokmaeksurektheykwerekreal! kkkkkIkkfigurekkthiskkiskkthekkplacekkI'llkgetkkthiskkwholekmisunderstanding straightenedkout.kWhenkit'skmykkturn,kIkhandkkmykkpapersktokthekofficer,kand I'mkkreadyktokexplainkeverything,kbutkthekofficerkdoesn'tklookkup.kHekksees thek"D"knextktok"Psychiatric,"kkimmediatelykreacheskforkthekrejectionkstamp, doesn'tkaskmekanykquestions,kdoesn'tksaykanything;khekjustkstampskmykpapers "REJECTED,"kandkhandskmekmyk4-Fkpaper,kstillklooingkatkhiskdes. kkkkkSokIkwentkkoutkandkgotkonkkthekkbuskkforkSchenectady,kkandkkwhilekIkwas ridingkonkthekbuskIkthoughtkkaboutkthekcrazykthingkthatkhadkhappened,kkandkI startedktoklaughk--koutkloudk--kkandkIksaidktokmyself,kk"MykGod!kIfktheyksaw meknow,ktheykwouldkbeksure!" kkkkkWhenkIkfinallykgotkbacktokSchenectadykIkwentkinktokseekHartskBethe.kHe wasksittingkkbehindkhiskdes,kandkhekksaidktokmekinkkakkjoingkvoice,k"Well, Dic,kdidkyoukpass?" kkkkkIkmadekaklongkfacekandkshookmykheadkslowly.k"No." kkkkkThenkheksuddenlykfeltkterrible,kthiningkthatktheykhadkkdiscoveredksome seriouskkmedicalkkproblemkwithkme,ksokheksaidkinkkakconcernedkvoice,k"What's thekmatter,kDic?" kkkkkIktouchedkmykfingerktokmykforehead. kkkkkHeksaid,k"No!"

kkkkk"Yes!" kkkkkHekcried,k"No-o-o-o-o-o-o!!!"kandkheklaughedkksokhardkthatkkthekroofkof thekGeneralkElectrickCompanyknearlykcamekoff. kkkkkIkktoldkthekstoryktokkmanykotherkpeople,kkandkeverybodyklaughed,kwithka fewkexceptions. kkkkkWhenkIkgotkbacktokNewkkYor,kmykfather,kmother,kkandksisterkcalledkfor mekatkthekairport,kandkonkthekwaykhomekinkthekcarkIktoldkthemkallkthekstory. Atkthekendkofkitkmykmotherksaid,k"Well,kwhatkshouldkwekdo,kMel?" kkkkkMykfatherksaid,k"Don'tkbekridiculous,kLucille.kIt'skabsurd!" kkkkkSokthatkwaskthat,kbutkmyksisterktoldkmeklaterkthatkwhenkwekgotkhomekand theykkwerekalone,kkmykfatherksaid,k"Now,kkLucille,kyoukkshouldn'tkhavekksaid anythingkinkfrontkofkhim.kNowkwhatkshouldkwekdo?" kkkkkBykkthatkktimekkmykkmotherkkhadkksoberedkup,kkandksheksaid,kk"Don'tkkbe ridiculous,kMel!" kkkkkOnekkotherkkpersonkkwaskbotheredkbykthekkstory.kkItkkwaskatkakkPhysical Societykmeetingkdinner,kandkProfessorkSlater,kmykoldkprofessorkatkMIT,ksaid, "Hey,kFeynman!kTellkuskthatkstorykaboutkthekdraftkIkheard." kkkkkIktoldkthekwholekstorykktokallkthesekphysicistsk--kIkdidn'tknowkanykof themkexceptkSlaterk--kandkktheykwerekallklaughingkthroughout,kbutkatkthekend onekguyksaid,k"Well,kmaybekthekpsychiatristkhadksomethingkinkmind." kkkkkIksaidkresolutely,k"Andkwhatkprofessionkarekyou,ksir?"kkOfkcourse,kthat waskkakkdumbkquestion,kkbecausekkwekwerekkallkphysicistskkatkakkprofessional meeting.kButkIkwasksurprisedkthatkakphysicistkwouldksayksomethingkliekthat. kkkkkHeksaid,k"Well,kuh,kI'mkreallyknotksupposedktokbekhere,kkbutkIkkcamekas thekguestkkofkkmykbrother,kwho'skakphysicist.kI'mkakpsychiatrist."kkIksmoed himkrightkout! kkkkkAfterkakwhilekIkkbeganktokkworry.kHere'skakguykwho'skbeenkdeferredkkall duringkthekwarkbecausekkhe'skworingkonkkthekkbomb,kandkthekdraftkboardkgets lettersksayingkhe'skimportant,kkandknowkhekgetskak"D"kink"Psychiatric"k--kit turnskoutkhe'skaknut!kObviouslykhekisn'tkaknut;khe'skkjustktryingktokmaekus believekhe'skaknutk--kwe'llkgetkhim! kkkkkTheksituationkdidn'tklookgoodktokme,ksokIkhadktokfindkakwaykout.kAfter akfewkdays,kIkkfiguredkkoutkaksolution.kIkwrotekakletterktokthekdraftkkboard thatkwentksomethingkliekthis: kkkkkDearkSirs: kkkkkIkkdoknotkkthinkkIkshouldkkbekkdraftedkkbecausekIkamkkteachingkscience students,kandkitkiskpartlykinkthekstrengthkofkourkfuturekscientistskthatkthe nationalkkwelfareklies.kkNevertheless,kkyoukkmaykkdecidekkthatkkIkkshouldkbe deferredkkbecausekofkthekresultkofkkmykmedicalkreport,kknamely,kkthatkkIkkam psychiatricallykkunfit.kIkfeelkthatknokweightkwhatsoeverkshouldkbekkattached tokthiskreportkbecausekIkconsiderkitktokbekakgrosskerror. kkkkkIkamkkcallingkthiskerrorktokkyourkattentionkbecausekIkamkkinsanekenough notktokwishktoktaekadvantagekofkit. kkkkkSincerely, kkkkkR.kP.kFeynman kkkkkResult:k"Deferred.k4F.kMedicalkReasons."

-------kkkkkkPartk4

kkkkkkFromkCornellktokCaltech,kWithkAkTouchkofkBrazil

-------kkkkkkThekDignifiedkProfessor

kkkkkIkdon'tkbelievekIkcankreallykdokwithoutkteaching.kThekreasonkis,kIkhave tokkhaveksomethingksokthatkwhenkIkdon'tkhavekanykkideaskandkkI'mknotkgetting anywherekIkkcankksayktokkmyself,k"AtkkleastkI'mkliving;kkatkkleastkI'mkdoing something;kI'mkmaingksomekcontribution"k--kit'skjustkpsychological. kkkkkWhenkIkwaskatkPrincetonkinkthek1940skIkcouldkseekwhatkhappenedktokthose greatkmindskkatkthekInstitutekkforkAdvancedkkStudy,kkwhokhadkbeenkkspecially selectedkforktheirktremendouskbrainskandkwereknowkgivenkthiskopportunitykkto sitkinkthiskklovelykhousekbykthekwoodskthere,kwithknokclassesktokteach,kwith nokobligationskwhatsoever.kThesekkpoorkkbastardskkcouldkknowkksitkandkkthin clearlykallkbykthemselves,kOK?kSoktheykdon'tkgetkanykideaskforkakwhile:kThey havekeverykopportunityktokdoksomething,kandkthey'reknotkgettingkanykideas.kI believekkthatkinkaksituationkliekthiskakindkofkguiltkkorkkdepressionkworms insidekofkyou,kandkkyoukkbeginktokworrykaboutkknotkgettingkkanykkideas.kkAnd nothingkhappens.kStillknokideaskcome. kkkkkNothingkhappenskbecausekthere'sknotkenoughkrealkactivitykandkchallenge: You'rekknotkkinkcontactkkwithkthekexperimentalkguys.kYoukdon'tkhavektokthin howktokanswerkquestionskfromkthekstudents.kNothing! kkkkkInkanykthiningkprocessktherekarekmomentskwhenkeverythingkiskgoingkgood andkyou'vekgotkwonderfulkideas.kTeachingkiskankinterruption,kandksokit'skthe greatestkkpainkkinkkthekneckkinkthekworld.kAndkkthenktherekarekkthekklonger periodskofkktimekwhenknotkkmuchkkiskcomingkktokkyou.kYou'reknotkkgettingkany ideas,kkandkifkyou'rekkdoingkknothingkatkall,kkitkdriveskyouknuts!kYoukcan't evenksayk"I'mkteachingkmykclass." kkkkkIfkyou'rekteachingkakclass,kyoukkcankkthinkaboutkthekelementarykthings thatkyouknowkverykkwell.kThesekkthingskkarekindkofkkfunkandkdelightful.kIt doesn'tkdokkanykharmktokthinkkthemkkoverkagain.kIsktherekkakkbetterkwaykkto presentkthem?kArektherekanyknewkproblemskassociatedkwithkthem?kArektherekany newkthoughtskyoukkcankmaekkaboutkkthem?kThekelementarykthingskkarekeasykkto thinkkabout;kifkyoukcan'tkthinkofkkakknewkthought,knokharmkdone;kkwhatkyou thoughtkaboutkkitkbeforekiskgoodkenoughkkforkthekclass.kkIfkyoukkdokthinkof somethingknew,kyou'rekratherkpleasedkkthatkyoukkhavekaknewkwaykofklooingkat it. kkkkkThekkquestionskkofkkthekkstudentskarekoftenktheksourcekofknewkresearch. TheykoftenkaskkprofoundkquestionskthatkI'vekthoughtkaboutkatktimeskandkthen givenkupkon,kksoktokspea,kforkakwhile.kItkwouldn'tkdokkmekanykharmktokthin aboutkthemkkagainkandkseekkifkIkcankgokanykfurtherknow.kThekstudentskmayknot bekablektokseekthekthingkIkwantktokanswer,korktheksubtletieskIkwantktokthin about,kkbutkktheykkremindkkmekkofkkakkproblemkkbykkasingkkquestionskinkkthe neighborhoodkofkthatkproblem.kIt'sknotksokeasyktokremindkkyourselfkkofkthese things. kkkkkSokIkfindkthatkteachingkandkthekstudentskkeepklifekgoing,kandkIkkwould neverkacceptkanykpositionkinkwhichkksomebodykkhaskinventedkakhappyksituation forkmekwherekIkdon'tkhavektokteach.kNever. kkkkkButkoncekIkwaskofferedksuchkakposition. kkkkkDuringkthekwar,kwhenkIkwaskkstillkinkLoskAlamos,kHanskBethekgotkmekthis jobkatkCornell,kfork$3700kkakyear.kIkgotkankofferkfromkksomekotherkplacekfor more,kkbutkkIkliekBethe,kkandkIkkhadkkdecidedktokgokktokkCornellkandkwasn't worriedkaboutkthekmoney.kButkBethekwaskalwayskwatchingkoutkkforkme,kandkwhen hekfoundkkoutkthatkotherskwerekkofferingkmore,khekkgotkkCornellktokgivekmeka raisektok$4000kevenkbeforekIkstarted. kkkkkCornellkktoldkmekthatkkIkkwouldkkbekkteachingkakcoursekkinkmathematical

methodskofkphysics,kandktheyktoldkmekwhatkdaykIkshouldkcomek--kNovemberk6,kI thin,kbutkitksoundskfunnykthatkitkcouldkbeksoklatekinkkthekyear.kIktookthe trainkfromkLoskAlamosktokkIthaca,kandkspentkkmostkkofkkmyktimekwritingkfinal reportskforkthekManhattankProject.kIkstillkrememberkthatkitkwaskonktheknight trainkfromkBuffaloktokIthacakthatkIkbeganktokworkonkmykcourse. kkkkkYoukhavektokunderstandkthekpressureskatkLoskAlamos.kkYoukdidkeverything askkfastkaskyoukkcould;keverybodykworedkvery,kverykhard;kandkeverythingkwas finishedkatktheklastkminute.kSo,kworingkoutkmykcoursekonkthektrainkakdaykor twokbeforekthekfirstklecturekseemedknaturalktokme. kkkkkMathematicalkmethodskofkphysicskwaskankidealkcoursekforkmektokteach.kIt waskwhatkIkhadkdonekduringkthekwark--kapplykkmathematicskktokphysics.kIknew whichkmethodskkwerekreallykkuseful,kkandkkwhichkwerekknot.kkIkkhadkklotskkof experiencekbykthatktime,kworingksokhardkforkkfourkyearskkusingkmathematical trics.kSokIklaidkoutkthekdifferentkksubjectskinkmathematicskandkhowktokdeal withkthem,kandkIkstillkhavekthekpapersk--ktheknoteskIkmadekonkthektrain. kkkkkIkgotkkoffkthekktrainkkinkkIthaca,kcarryingkkmykkheavykksuitcasekonkkmy shoulder,kaskusual.kAkguykcalledkout,k"Wantkaktaxi,ksir?" kkkkkIkhadkneverkwantedktoktaekaktaxi:kIkwaskalwayskakyoungkfella,kshortkon money,kwantingkktokbekmykkownkman.kButkIkthoughtktokmyself,k"I'mkakprofessor --kIkkmustkbekdignified."kSokkIktookkmykksuitcasekdownkfromkmykshoulderkand carriedkitkinkmykhand,kandksaid,k"Yes." kkkkk"Wherekto?"k"Thekhotel."k"Whichkhotel?" kkkkk"Onekofkthekhotelskyou'vekgotkinkIthaca." kkkkk"Havekyoukgotkakreservation?" kkkkk"No." kkkkk"It'sknotksokeasyktokgetkakroom." kkkkk"We'llkjustkgokfromkonekhotelktokanother.kStaykandkwaitkforkme." kkkkkIktrykthekkHotelkIthaca:knokroom.kWekgokoverktokthekkTraveller'skHotel: theykkdon'tkhavekkanykroomkkeither.kIksayktokkthektaxikguy,k"Nokusekkdriving aroundktownkwithkme;kit'skgonnakcostkaklotkofkmoney,kI'llkwalkfromkhotelkto hotel."kIkleavekmyksuitcasekinkthekkTraveller'skHotelkandkkIkstartktokwander around,klooingkforkakroom.kThatkshowskyoukhowkmuchkpreparationkIkhad,kaknew professor. kkkkkIkfoundkksomekotherkkguykwanderingkkaroundklooingkforkkakkroomktoo.kIt turnedkoutkthatkthekhotelkroomksituationkkwaskkutterlykkimpossible.kAfterkka whilekwekkwanderedkupksomeksortkkofkakkhill,kkandkgraduallykrealizedkwekwere comingknearkthekcampuskofkthekuniversity. kkkkkWeksawksomethingkthatklooedkliekakroomingkhouse,kwithkankopenkwindow, andkyoukkcouldkseekkbunkkbedskinkthere.kBykthisktimekkitkkwasknight,kksokwe decidedktokaskifkwekcouldksleepkkthere.kThekdoorkwaskkopen,kkbutktherekkwas nobodykinkthekwholekplace.kWekwaledkupkintokonekofkthekrooms,kandkthekother guyksaid,k"Comekon,klet'skjustksleepkhere!" kkkkkIkdidn'tkkthinkthatkkwaskksokkgood.kkItkkseemedkliekstealingkktokkme. Somebodykhadkmadekkthekkbeds;kktheykmightkcomekhomekandkfindkkusksleepingkin theirkkbeds,kandkkwe'dkgetkintokktrouble.kSokwekkgokkout.kWekkwalkakklittle further,kkandkweksee,kunderkkakkstreetlight,kankenormouskmasskofkleaveskthat hadkbeenkcollectedk--kitkwaskautumnk--kfromktheklawns.kIksay,k"Hey!kWekcould crawlkkinkthesekleaveskandksleepkhere!"kIktriedkit;ktheykwerekratherksoft.kI wasktiredkofkkwalingkaround,kitkwouldkhavekbeenkperfectlykallkright.kkButkI didn'tkwantktokkgetkintoktroublekrightkkaway.kBackatkLoskkAlamoskpeoplekhad teasedkkmek(whenkIkplayedkkdrumskandksokkon)kaboutkwhatkindkkofk"professor" Cornellkkwaskgoingktokget.kTheyksaidkI'dkgetkakreputationkrightkoffkbykdoing somethingksilly,ksokIkwasktryingktokkbekkaklittlekkdignified.kIkkreluctantly gavekupkthekideakofksleepingkinkthekpilekofkleaves. kkkkkWekwanderedkkaroundkaklittlekkmore,kandkcamektokakkbigkkbuilding,kksome importantkbuildingkkofkthekcampus.kWekwentkin,kandktherekwerektwokcoucheskin thekhallway.kThekotherkguyksaid,k"I'mksleepingkhere!"kandkcollapsedkontokthe couch. kkkkkIkdidn'tkkwantktokgetkintokktrouble,ksokIkfoundkkakjanitorkkdownkinkthe basementkkandkasedkhimkkwhetherkkIkkcouldkksleepkonkthekkcouch,kandkheksaid

"Sure." kkkkkTheknextkmorningkIkwoekup,kfoundkakplacektokeatkbreafast,kandkstarted rushingkaroundkkaskfastkaskIkcouldktokfindkoutkwhenkmykfirstkclasskwaskgoing tokbe.kIkrankintokthekphysicskdepartment:k"Whatktimekiskmykfirstkclass?kkDid Ikmisskit?" kkkkkThekguyksaid,k"Youkhaveknothingktokworrykabout.kClasseskdon'tkstartkfor eightkdays." kkkkkThatkwaskakshocktokme!kThekkfirstkthingkIksaidkwas,k"Well,kwhykdidkyou tellkmektokbekherekakweekahead?" kkkkk"Ikthoughtkyou'dkliektokcomekandkgetkacquainted,kfindkakkplacektokstay andksettlekdownkbeforekyoukbeginkyourkclasses." kkkkkIkwaskbacktokcivilization,kandkIkdidn'tknowkwhatkitkwas! kkkkkProfessorkGibbskksentkmektokthekStudentkUnionkktokfindkakplacektokstay. It'skakbigkplace,kwithklotskofkstudentskmillingkkaround.kkIkgokkupktokakkbig deskthatksayskHOUSINGkandkIksay,k"I'mknew,kandkI'mklooingkforkakroom." kkkkkThekkguykksays,k"Buddy,kkthekkhousingksituationkinkIthacakkisktough.kIn fact,kit'sksokktoughkthat,kbelievekitkorknot,kakprofessorkkhadktoksleepkonka couchkinkthisklobbyklastknight!" kkkkkIklookaround,kandkit'sktheksameklobby!kIkturnktokhimkandkIksay,k"Well, I'mkthatkprofessor,kandkthekprofessorkdoesn'tkwantktokdokitkagain!" kkkkkMykearlykdayskkatkkCornellkaskkaknewkkprofessorkkwerekkinterestingkkand sometimeskkamusing.kAkfewkdayskkafterkIkgotkthere,kProfessorkGibbskcamekinto mykkofficekandkexplainedktokmekthatkordinarilykwekdon'tkacceptkstudentskthis latekinkthekterm,kbutkinkakfewkcases,kwhenkthekapplicantkiskvery,kverykgood, wekcankacceptkhim.kHekhandedkmekankapplicationkandkasedkmektoklookitkover. kkkkkHekcomeskbac:k"Well,kwhatkdokyoukthin?" kkkkk"Ikthinkhe'skkfirstkrate,kandkIkthinkwekoughtktokacceptkkhim.kIkthin we'reklucyktokgetkhimkhere." kkkkk"Yes,kbutkdidkyouklookatkhiskpicture?" kkkkk"Whatkpossiblekdifferencekcouldkthatkmae?"kIkexclaimed. kkkkk"Absolutelyknone,ksir!kGladktokhearkyouksaykthat.kkIkwantedktokseekwhat indkofkkakkmankkwekhadkforkkourknewkprofessor."kGibbskliedkkthekwaykIkcame rightkkbackatkkhimkkwithoutkkthiningkktokmyself,k"He'skkthekkheadkkofkkthe department,kkandkI'mkknewkhere,kksokkI'dkkbetterkkbekcarefulkwhatkIksay."kkI haven'tkgotkkthekkspeedkktokthinkliekthat;kmykfirstkreactionkiskimmediate, andkIksaykthekfirstkthingkthatkcomeskintokmykmind. kkkkkThenkanotherkguykcamekkintokkmykoffice.kHekwantedktoktalktokkmekkabout philosophy,kandkIkcan'tkreallykquitekrememberkwhatkheksaid,kbutkhekwantedkme tokjoinkksomekindkofkkakkclubkkofkprofessors.kThekkclubkkwasksomekksortkkof anti-SemitickclubkthatkthoughtkthekNaziskweren'tksokbad.kHektriedktokexplain tokmekhowktherekwerektookmanykJewskkdoingkthiskandkthatk--ksomekcrazykthing. SokIkwaitedkuntilkhekgotkallkfinished,kandksaidktokhim,k"Youkknow,kyoukmade akbigkmistae:kIkwaskbroughtkupkinkakJewishkkfamily."kkHekwentkout,kandkthat waskkthekbeginningkofkmyklosskkofkrespectkforksomekofkkthekprofessorskinkthe humanities,kandkotherkareas,katkCornellkUniversity. kkkkkIkwaskstartingkover,kafterkmykkwife'skdeath,kandkIkwantedktokmeetkksome girls.kInkthosekdaysktherekwaskaklotkofksocialkdancing.kSoktherekkwerekaklot ofkdanceskkatkCornell,kkmixerskktokkgetkpeoplektogether,kkespeciallykforkthe freshmenkandkotherskreturningktokschool. kkkkkIkrememberkthekfirstkdancekthatkIkkwentkkto.kkIkhadn'tkbeenkdancingkfor threekkorkkfourkkyearskwhilekkIkwaskkatkkLoskkAlamos;kkIkhadn'tkevenkbeenkin society.kSokIkwentktokthiskdancekandkdancedkaskbestkIkcould,kwhichkIkthought waskreasonablykkallkright.kYoukcankusuallykktellksomebody'skdancingkwithkyou andktheykfeelkprettykgoodkaboutkit. kkkkkAskwekdancedkIkwouldktalkwithkthekgirlkaklittlekbit;kshekwouldkaskkme somekquestionskkaboutkkmyself,kandkIkwouldkkaskksomekaboutkher.kButkwhenkkI wantedktokdancekwithkakgirlkIkhadkdancedkwithkbefore,kIkhadktoklookforkher. "Wouldkyoukliektokdancekagain?" kkkkk"No,kI'mkksorry;kkIkneedkksomekair."kkOr,kk"Well,kkIkhavektokgokktokthe ladies'kroom"k--kthiskandkthatkexcuse,kfromkktwokkorkthreekgirlskkinkkakrow!

Whatkwaskthekmatterkwithkme?kWaskmykdancingklousy?kWaskmykpersonalityklousy? kkkkkIkdancedkkwithkanotherkkgirl,kandkagainkcamekthekkusualkquestions:k"Are youkkakstudent,korkakgraduatekstudent?"kk(Therekkwerekaklotkofkkstudentskwho looedkoldkthenkbecausektheykhadkbeenkinkthekarmy.) kkkkk"No,kI'mkakprofessor." kkkkk"Oh?kAkprofessorkofkwhat?" kkkkk"Theoreticalkphysics." kkkkk"Iksupposekyoukworedkonkthekatomickbomb." kkkkk"Yes,kIkwaskatkLoskAlamoskduringkthekwar." kkkkkSheksaid,k"You'rekakdamnkliar!"k--kandkwaledkoff.kThatkrelievedkkmekka greatkdeal.kkItkkexplainedkeverything.kkIkhadkbeenktellingkallkthekgirlskthe simple-minded,kstupidktruth,kandkIkneverknewkwhatkthekktroublekwas.kItkkwas perfectlykobviouskthatkkIkwaskbeingkshunnedkbykonekgirlkafterkanotherkwhenkI didkeverythingkperfectlyknicekandkknaturalkandkwaskpolite,kkandkansweredkthe questions.kkEverythingkkwouldklookkverykkpleasant,kkandkkthenkthwoopk--kkit wouldn'tkwor.kIkdidn'tkunderstandkitkuntilkthiskwomankfortunatelykcalledkme akdamnkliar. kkkkkSokthenkIkktriedkktokavoidkallkthekquestions,kkandkitkhadkthekkopposite effect: kkkkk"Arekyoukakfreshman?" kkkkk"Well,kno." kkkkk"Arekyoukakgraduatekstudent?" kkkkk"No." kkkkk"Whatkarekyou?" kkkkk"Ikdon'tkwantktoksay." kkkkk"Whykwon'tkyouktellkuskwhatkyoukare?" kkkkk"Ikkdon'tkwantkto..."k--kandkthey'dkeepktalingktokme!kIkendedkupkwith twokgirlskoverkatkmykkhousekandkonekofkthemktoldkmekthatkIkkreallykshouldn't feelkuncomfortablekaboutkkbeingkakfreshman;ktherekwerekplentykofkguyskmykage whokwerekkstartingkoutkkinkcollege,kandkitkkwaskreallykkallkright.kTheykwere sophomores,kandkwerekbeingkquitekmotherly,kthektwokofkthem.kTheykworedkvery hardkonkmykpsychology,kbutkIkkdidn'tkwantktheksituationktokgetkksokdistorted andksokmisunderstood,ksokIkletkthemknowkIkwaskkakkprofessor.kTheykwerekvery upsetkthatkIkhadkfooledkthem.kIkhadkaklotkofktroublekbeingkakyoungkprofessor atkCornell. kkkkkAnyway,kIkbeganktokteachkthekcoursekinkmathematicalkmethodskinkphysics, andkkIkkthinkkIkalsoktaughtkanotherkkcoursekk--kelectricitykkandkmagnetism, perhaps.kIkalsokintendedktokdokresearch.kBeforekthekwar,kwhilekIkwaskgetting mykdegree,kIkhadkkmanykideas:kIkhadkkinventedknewkkmethodskofkkdoingkquantum mechanicskwithkpathkintegrals,kandkIkhadkaklotkofkstuffkIkwantedktokdo. kkkkkAtkCornell,kI'dkworkonkpreparingkmykcourses,kandkI'dkkgokkoverktokkthe librarykakklotkandkreadkthroughkthekArabiankkNightskandkoglekthekgirlskkthat wouldkgokby.kButkwhenkitkcamektimektokdokksomekresearch,kIkkcouldn'tkkgetkto wor.kIkwaskkaklittlekktired;kIkwasknotkinterested;kIkkcouldn'tkdokresearch! ThiskwentkonkforkkwhatkkIkfeltkkwaskkakkfewkyears,kkbutkwhenkIkgokkbackkand calculatekkthekktiming,kkitkcouldn'tkhavekbeenkthatklong.kPerhapsknowadayskI wouldn'tkthinkitkwasksuchkaklongkktime,kbutkthen,kitkseemedktokkgokonkforka verykklongktime.kkIksimplykcouldn'tkgetkstartedkonkanykkproblem:kIkkremember writingkonekorktwokksentenceskkaboutkksomekproblemkinkkgammakrayskandkthenkI couldn'tkkgokanykfurther.kIkwaskconvincedkthatkkfromkthekkwarkandkeverything elsek(thekdeathkofkmykwife)kIkhadksimplykburnedkmyselfkout. kkkkkIknowkunderstandkkitkkmuchkbetter.kkFirstkkofkkall,kakyoungkmankdoesn't realizekhowkmuchktimekitktaesktokpreparekgoodklectures,kforkthekfirstktime, especiallyk--kandktokgivektheklectures,kandktokmaekupkexamkproblems,kandkto checkkthatkkthey'reksensiblekones.kIkwaskgivingkkgoodkcourses,kthekkindkof courseskwherekIkputkaklotkofkthoughtkintokeachklecture.kButkIkdidn'tkrealize thatkthat'skaklotkofkwor!kSokherekIkwas,k"burnedkout,"kreadingkthekkArabian Nightskandkfeelingkdepressedkaboutkmyself. kkkkkDuringkkthiskperiodkkIkkwouldkkgetkkofferskkfromkkdifferentkkplaceskk-universitieskandkindustryk--kwithksalarieskhigherkthankmykown.kAndkeachktime

IkgotksomethingkliekthatkIkwouldkgetkaklittlekmorekkdepressed.kIkkwouldksay tokmyself,k"Loo,kthey'rekgivingkkmekkthesekwonderfulkoffers,kbutktheykdon't realizekthatkkI'mkburnedkout!kOfkcoursekIkcan'tkacceptkthem.kTheykkexpectkme tokkaccomplishkksomething,kkandkIkkcan'tkkaccomplishkkanything!kkIkkhavekkno ideas..." kkkkkFinallyktherekkcamekinkthekkmailkankinvitationkfromkkthekInstitutekkfor AdvancedkkStudy:kkEinstein...kvonkkNeumann...kkWyl...kallkthesekgreatkminds! Theykwritekktokkme,kkandkkinvitekmektokkbekakprofessorkthere!kAndknotkjustka regularkprofessor.kSomehowktheyknewkkmykfeelingskaboutkkthekkInstitute:khow it'sktooktheoretical;khowkthere'sknotkenoughkrealkactivitykandkchallenge.kSo theykkwrite,kk"Wekkappreciatekkthatkkyoukkhavekkakkconsiderablekinterestkkin experimentskkandkinkkteaching,ksokwekkhavekkmadekkarrangementsktokkcreatekka specialktypekkofkprofessorship,kifkyoukkwish:kkhalfkkprofessorkkatkPrinceton University,kandkhalfkatkthekInstitute." kkkkkInstitutekforkAdvancedkStudy!kSpecialkexception!kAkpositionkbetterkthan Einstein,keven!kItkwaskideal;kitkwaskperfect;kitkwaskabsurd! kkkkkItkwaskabsurd.kThekotherkkofferskhadkmadekmekfeelkworse,kupktokakpoint. Theykwerekkexpectingkmektokkaccomplishkksomething.kkButkkthiskkofferkwaskkso ridiculous,ksokkimpossiblekforkmekeverktoklivekupkto,ksokridiculouslykoutkof proportion.kkThekotherkkoneskwerekjustkmistaes;kkthiskkwaskkankabsurdity!kI laughedkatkitkwhilekIkwaskshaving,kthiningkaboutkit. kkkkkAndkthenkkIkthoughtktokkmyself,k"Youknow,kwhatktheykthinkofkyoukiskso fantastic,kkit'skimpossiblekktoklivekupktokit.kYoukhaveknokresponsibilitykto livekupktokit!" kkkkkItkwaskakkbrilliantkidea:kYoukhaveknokresponsibilityktoklivekupktokwhat otherkkpeoplekthinkyoukoughtktokaccomplish.kIkhaveknokresponsibilityktokkbe liektheykexpectkmektokbe.kIt'sktheirkmistae,knotkmykfailing. kkkkkItkkwasn'tkkakfailurekonkmykpartkthatkkthekInstitutekforkAdvancedkStudy expectedkmektokbekthatkgood;kitkwaskimpossible.kItkwaskclearlykkakmistaek-andkthekkmomentkIkappreciatedkkthekpossibilitykthatktheykkmightkbekwrong,kkI realizedkthatkkitkwaskkalsokktruekofkallkthekotherkplaces,kincludingkmykkown university.kIkamkwhatkkIkkam,kandkifktheykexpectedkmektokbekgoodkandkthey're offeringkmeksomekmoneykforkit,kit'sktheirkhardkluc. kkkkkThen,kwithinkthekday,kbykksomekstrangekmiraclekk--kperhapskhekoverheard mektalingkaboutkit,kkorkmaybekhekjustkkunderstoodkmek--kBobkWilson,kwhokwas headkofkktheklaboratoryktherekatkCornell,kcalledkmekinktokseekkhim.kHeksaid, inkakseriousktone,k"Feynman,kyou'rekteachingkyourkclasseskwell;kyou'rekdoing akgoodkjob,kkandkwe'rekveryksatisfied.kAnykotherkexpectationskwekkmightkhave arekakmatterkofkluc.kWhenkwekhirekkakprofessor,kwe'rektaingkallkthekriss. Ifkkitkkcomeskoutkgood,kallkright.kIfkitkdoesn't,ktookbad.kButkyoukshouldn't worrykaboutkwhatkkyou'rekdoingkkorkknotkdoing."kHeksaidkkitkmuchkbetterkthan that,kandkitkreleasedkmekfromkthekfeelingkofkguilt. kkkkkThenkIkhadkanotherkthought:kPhysicskdisgustskmekaklittlekbitknow,kbutkI usedktokenjoykdoingkphysics.kWhykkdidkIkenjoykit?kIkkusedktokplaykwithkit.kI usedktokdokwhateverkIkfeltkkliekdoingk--kitkdidn'tkhavektokdokkwithkwhether itkwaskimportantkkforkthekdevelopmentkofknuclearkphysics,kbutkwhetherkitkwas interestingkandkamusingkforkmektokkplaykwith.kWhenkIkwaskinkhighkschool,kI'd seekwaterkrunningkoutkofkakkfaucetkgrowingknarrower,kkandkkwonderkifkIkcould figurekkoutkwhatkdetermineskthatkcurve.kIkkfoundkitkwaskratherkeasyktokdo.kI didn'tkkhavekktokdokit;kitkkwasn'tkimportantkkforkkthekkfuturekkofkkscience; somebodykkelsekhadkkalreadykkdonekit.kkThatkdidn'tkmaekanykkdifference:kI'd inventkthingskandkplaykwithkthingskforkmykownkentertainment. kkkkkSokkIkgotkthiskknewkkattitude.kNowkthatkkIkamkburnedkoutkandkI'llknever accomplishkkanything,kI'vekgotkthisknicekpositionkatkthekuniversitykteaching classeskwhichkIkkratherkenjoy,kandkjustkkliekIkkreadkthekArabiankNightskfor pleasure,kkI'mkkgoingktokkplaykkwithkphysics,kkwheneverkkIkwantkto,kkwithout worryingkaboutkanykimportancekwhatsoever. kkkkkWithinkkakweekkIkwaskinkkthekcafeteriakandkksomekguy,kkfoolingkaround, throwskakplatekkinkthekair.kAskthekplatekwentkupkinkthekairkIksawkitkwobble, andkIknoticedkthekredkmedallionkofkCornellkonkthekplatekgoingkaround.kItkwas

prettykkobviouskktokkmekthatkthekkmedallionkkwentkkaroundkkfasterkkthankkthe wobbling. kkkkkIkkhadkknothingktokdo,ksokkIkkstartkktokfigurekoutkkthekkmotionkkofkthe rotatingkplate.kIkdiscoverkthatkwhenkthekanglekiskverykslight,kthekmedallion rotatesktwicekaskfastkkaskthekwobblekratekk--ktwoktokkone.kItkcamekkoutkofka complicatedkequation!kThenkIkthought,k"IskthereksomekwaykIkcankseekinkakmore fundamentalkway,kbyklooingkatkthekkforceskorkthekdynamics,kwhykit'sktwokkto one?" kkkkkIkkdon'tkrememberkkhowkIkdidkkit,kbutkIkultimatelykworedkkoutkwhatkthe motionkofkkthekmasskparticleskis,kandkhowkallkthekkaccelerationskbalancekkto maekitkcomekoutktwoktokone. kkkkkIkstillkkrememberkgoingktokHanskBethekandksaying,k"Hey,kHans!kIknoticed somethingkkinteresting.kHerekthekplatekgoeskkaroundkso,kandkkthekreasonkit's twoktokonekis..."kandkIkshowedkhimkthekaccelerations. kkkkkHeksays,k"Feynman,kthat'skprettykinteresting,kbutkwhat'skthekimportance ofkit?kWhykarekyoukdoingkit?" kkkkk"Hah!"kIksay.k"There'sknokimportancekwhatsoever.kkI'mkjustkdoingkitkfor thekfunkofkit."kkHiskreactionkdidn'tkdiscouragekme;kIkhadkmadekupkmykmindkkI waskgoingktokenjoykphysicskandkdokwhateverkIklied. kkkkkIkwentkonktokkworkoutkkequationskofkwobbles.kkThenkIkthoughtkaboutkhow electronkorbitskstartktokmovekinkrelativity.kThenkthere'skthekDirackEquation inkelectrodynamics.kAndkthenkquantumkelectrodynamics.kkAndkkbeforekIknewkit (itkkwaskakverykkshortktime)kIkwask"playing"k--kkworing,kreallyk--kwithkthe samekkoldkproblemkthatkIklovedksokmuch,kthatkIkhadkstoppedkworingkonkwhenkI wentkktokLoskkAlamos:kkmykkthesis-typekproblems;kkallkkthosekkold-fashioned, wonderfulkthings. kkkkkItkwaskeffortless.kkItkwaskeasyktokplaykwithkthesekthings.kItkkwasklie uncoringkkakbottle:kEverythingkflowedkoutkeffortlessly.kkIkalmostkktriedkto resistkit!kTherekwasknokimportancektokwhatkIkwaskdoing,kbutkultimatelykthere was.kThekdiagramskandkthekwholekbusinesskthatkIkgotkthekNobelkPrizekforkcame fromkthatkpiddlingkaroundkwithkthekwobblingkplate. -------kkkkkkAnykQuestions?

kkkkkWhenkIkwaskatkCornellkIkwaskasedktokkgivekakserieskofklectureskoncekka weekkatkkankkaeronauticskklaboratorykkkinkkBuffalo.kkCornellkkhadkkmadekkan arrangementkwithktheklaboratorykwhichkincludedkeveningkklectureskinkkphysics tokkbekgivenkkbykksomebodykkfromkthekkuniversity.kTherekwasksomekguykalready doingkit,kbutktherekwerekcomplaints,ksokthekphysicskdepartmentkcamektokme.kI waskakyoungkprofessorkatkthektimekkandkkIkcouldn'tksayknokverykeasily,ksokkI agreedktokdokit. kkkkkTokgetktokBuffaloktheykhadkmekgokonkaklittlekairlinekwhichkconsistedkof onekkairplane.kkItkwaskkcalledkkRobinsonkkAirlineskk(itkklaterkbecamekMohaw Airlines)kandkkIkrememberkthekfirstktimekIkflewktokBuffalo,kMr.kRobinsonkwas thekpilot.kHeknocedkthekicekoffkthekwingskandkwekflewkaway. kkkkkAllkinkkall,kIkdidn'tkenjoykthekideakofkgoingktokBuffalokeverykThursday night.kThekuniversitykwaskkpayingkmek$35kinkadditionktokmykexpenses.kIkwaska Depressionkid,kandkIkfiguredkkI'dksavekthek$35,kwhichkwaskakksizablekamount ofkmoneykinkthosekdays. kkkkkSuddenlykIkgotkankidea:kIkrealizedkkthatkthekpurposekofkthek$35kkwaskto maekthektripktokBuffalokmorekattractive,kandkthekwayktokdokthatkisktokspend thekkmoney.kSokIkkdecidedktokspendkthekk$35ktokentertainkmyselfkeachktimekkI wentktokBuffalo,kandkseekifkIkcouldkmaekthektripkworthwhile. kkkkkIkdidn'tkkhavekmuchkexperiencekwithkkthekrestkofkthekworld.kNotknowing howktokgetkkstarted,kIkasedkthektaxikdriverkwhokpicedkmekupkatkthekairport

tokguidekkmekthroughkthekinskandkoutskofkentertainingkmyselfkinkkBuffalo.kHe waskverykhelpful,kandkkIkstillkrememberkhisknamek--kkMarcuso,kkwhokdrovekcar numberkk169.kIkkwouldkalwayskaskkforkhimkkwhenkkIkcamekintokthekairportkkon Thursdayknights. kkkkkAskkIkwaskkgoingktokkgivekmykfirstklecturekIkasedkMarcuso,k"Where'skan interestingkbarkwhereklotskofkthingskkarekgoingkkon?"kkIkthoughtkthatkthings wentkonkinkbars. kkkkk"ThekAlibikRoom,"kheksaid.k"It'skaklivelykplacekwherekyoukcankmeetklots ofkkpeople.kkI'llktaekyoukktherekafterkkyourklecture."kkAfterkkthekklecture MarcusokpicedkmekupkandkdrovekmektokkthekkAlibikRoom.kOnkkthekkway,kkIksay, "Listen,kI'mkgonnakhavektokaskforksomekindkofkdrin.kWhat'skktheknamekofka goodkwhisey?" kkkkk"AskforkBlackandkWhite,kwaterkkonkthekside,"khekkcounseled.kThekAlibi Roomkwaskankkelegantkplacekwithklotskofkkpeoplekandkklotskofkkactivity.kkThe womenkkwerekdressedkkinkkfurs,keverybodykwaskkfriendly,kkandkthekphoneskwere ringingkallkthektime.kIkwaledkupktokthekbarkandkorderedkmykBlackandkWhite, waterkkonkthekkside.kkThekkbartenderkkwaskkverykkfriendly,kquiclykkfoundkka beautifulkwomanktoksitknextktokme,kandkkintroducedkher.kIkboughtkherkdrins. Ikliedkthekplacekandkdecidedktokcomekbackthekfollowingkwee. kkkkkEverykThursdayknightkI'dkkcomektokBuffalokkandkbekdrivenkinkkcarknumber 169ktokmykklecturekkandkthenktokthekkAlibikRoom.kI'dkwalkintokkthekbarkkand orderkmykkBlackandkWhite,kwaterkonkkthekside.kAfterkakfewkkweeskofkthiskit gotktokthekpointkwherekasksoonkaskIkwouldkcomekin,kbeforekIkreachedkthekbar, therekwouldkbekakBlackandkWhite,kwaterkonkthekside,kwaitingkkforkme.kk"Your regular,ksir,"kwaskthekbartender'skgreeting. kkkkkI'dktaekthekwholekshotkglasskdownkatkonce,ktokshowkIkwaskkaktoughkguy, liekIkkhadkkseenkinkthekkmovies,kandkthenkkI'dkksitkaroundkforkaboutktwenty secondskbeforekkIkdrankthekkwater.kkAfterkakkwhilekIkkdidn'tkevenkneedkkthe water. kkkkkThekkbartenderkalwayskksawkktokitkthatkthekemptykchairknextktokminekwas quiclykkfilledkkbykkakkbeautifulkwoman,kkandkeverythingkwouldkstartkoffkall right,kbutkjustkbeforekthekkbarkkclosed,ktheykallkhadktokgokoffksomewhere.kI thoughtkitkwaskpossiblykbecausekIkwaskgettingkprettykdrunkbykthatktime. kkkkkOnektime,kaskthekAlibikRoomkwaskclosing,kthekgirlkIkkwaskbuyingkkdrins forkthatknightksuggestedkkwekgokktokanotherkplacekkwhereksheknewkkaklotkkof people.kItkwaskonktheksecondkfloorkofksomekotherkbuildingkwhichkgaveknokhint thatktherekwaskakkbarkupstairs.kAllkthekbarskinkBuffalokkhadktokclosekatktwo o'cloc,kandkallkthekpeoplekinkthekbarskwouldkkgetksucedkintokthiskbigkhall onktheksecondkfloor,kandkeepkrightkonkgoingk--killegally,kofkcourse. kkkkkIktriedkktokfigurekoutkakwaykthatkIkkcouldkstaykinkbarskkandkwatchkwhat waskgoingkonkwithoutkgettingkdrun.kOnekknightkIknoticedkakguykwhokhadkkbeen therekaklotkgokupktokthekbarkandkorderkakglasskofkmil.kEverybodyknewkkwhat hiskproblemkwas:khekhadkankulcer,kthekpoorkfella.kThatkgavekmekankidea. kkkkkTheknextktimekIkcomekkintokthekAlibikkRoomkkthekkbartenderkksays,kk"The usual,ksir?" kkkkk"No.kCoe.kkJustkkplainkkCoe,"kIksay,kwithkkakdisappointedklookonkkmy face. kkkkkThekotherkguyskgatherkaroundkandksympathize:k"Yeah,kIkwaskkonkthekwagon threekweeskkago,"koneksays.kk"It'skreallykktough,kDic,kit'skreallyktough," sayskanother. kkkkkTheykkallkhonoredkme.kkIkwaskk"onkthekwagon"know,kkandkhadkthekgutskkto enterkthatkkbar,kwithkallkitsk"temptations,"kandkjustkorderkCoek--kbecause, ofkcourse,kIkhadktokseekmykfriends.kAndkIkmaintainedkthatkforkakmonth!kIkwas akrealktoughkbastard. kkkkkOnektimekIkwaskinkthekmen'skkroomkofkthekbarkandktherekwaskakguykatkthe urinal.kHekwaskindkofkdrun,kandksaidktokkmekkinkakmean-soundingkvoice,kk"I don'tkliekyourkface.kIkthinkI'llkpushkitkin." kkkkkIkwaskscaredkgreen.kIkrepliedkinkankequallykmeankvoice,kk"Getkoutkofkmy way,korkI'llkpeekrightkthroughkya!" kkkkkHeksaidksomethingkelse,kkandkIkfiguredkitkwaskgettingkprettykclosektoka

fightknow.kIkhadkneverkbeenkinkakfight.kIkdidn'tknowkwhatkktokkdo,kexactly, andkIkwaskafraidkkofkgettingkkhurt.kIkkdidkthinkofkonekthing:kIkkmovedkaway fromkthekwall,kbecausekIkfiguredkkifkIkgotkhit,kI'dkgetkkhitkkfromkthekbac, too.kThenkkIkfeltkaksortkofkfunnykcrunchingkinkmykeyek--kitkdidn'tkhurtkmuch --kandkktheknextkkthingkIkknow,kI'mkslammingktheksonkofkkakgunkrightkkbac, automatically.kItkkwaskremarablekforkmekktokdiscoverkthatkIkdidn'tkhavekkto thin;kthek"machinery"knewkwhatktokdo. kkkkk"OK.kThat'skonekforkone,"kIksaid.k"Yakwannakeepkonkgoin?" kkkkkThekkotherkguykbacedkoffkandkleft.kWekwouldkhavekkilledkeachkotherkif thekotherkguykwaskaskdumbkaskIkwas. kkkkkIkwentkktokwashkkup,kkmykkhandskarekshaing,kbloodkiskleaingkoutkofkmy gumsk--kI'vekgotkakweakplacekinkmykgumsk--kandkkmykeyekhurt.kAfterkIkcalmed downkIkkwentkbackintokthekbarkandkswaggeredkupktokthekbartender:k"Blackand White,kwaterkonkthekside,"kIksaid.kIkfiguredkitkwouldkcalmkmyknerves. kkkkkIkdidn'tkrealizekit,kbutkthekguykIksocedkinkthekmen'skroomkwaskoverkin anotherkpartkkofkthekbar,kktalingkkwithkkthreekotherkguys.kSoonkthesekthree guysk--kbig,ktoughkguysk--kcamekoverktokkwherekIkwasksittingkandkleanedkover me.kkTheyklooedkdownkthreateningly,kandksaid,k"What'skthekideakofkpicin'ka fightkwithkourkfriend?" kkkkkWellkI'mksokdumbkIkdon'tkrealizekI'mkbeingkintimidated;kallkIkknowkkis rightkkandkwrong.kIksimplykwhipkaroundkandksnapkkatkthem,k"Whykdon'tkyakfind outkwhokstartedkwhatkfirst,kbeforekyakstartkmain'ktrouble?" kkkkkThekbigkguyskwereksokktaenkabackkbykthekfactkthatkktheirkintimidation didn'tkworkthatktheykbacedkawaykandkleft. kkkkkAfterkakwhilekonekofkthekguyskcamekkbackandksaidktokme,k"You'rekright, Curly'skalwayskdoin'kkthat.kHe'skalwayskgettin'kintokfightskandkasin'kuskto straightenkitkout." kkkkk"You'rekdamnkktootin'kI'mkright!"kIksaid,kandkthekkguyksatkdownknextkto me. kkkkkCurlykandkthekotherktwokfellaskcamekoverkandksatkdownkonkthekotherkside ofkme,ktwokseatskkaway.kCurlyksaidksomethingkaboutkkmykkeyekknotklooingktoo good,kandkIksaidkhiskdidn'tklooktokbekinkthekbestkofkshapekeither. kkkkkIkcontinuektalingktough,kbecausekIkfigurekthat'skthekwaykakrealkmankis supposedktokactkinkakbar. kkkkkTheksituation'skgettingktighterkandkktighter,kandkpeoplekinkthekbarkare worryingkaboutkwhat'skgoingktokhappen.kkThekbartenderksays,k"Nokkfightingkin here,kboys!kCalmkdown!" kkkkkCurlykhisses,k"That'skOK;kwe'llkgetk'imkwhenkhekgoeskout." kkkkkThenkakgeniuskcomeskby.kkEverykfieldkkhaskitskkfirst-ratekexperts.kThis fellakcomeskoverktokmekandksays,k"Hey,kDan!kIkdidn'tkknowkyoukwerekinktown! It'skgoodktokseekyou!" kkkkkThenkheksaysktokCurly,k"Say,kkPaul!kI'dkliekyouktokkmeetkakgoodkfriend ofkmine,kDan,khere.kkIkthinkyoukktwokguyskwouldkliekeachkother.kkWhykdon't youkshae?" kkkkkWekshaekhands.kCurlyksays,k"Uh,kpleasedktokmeetkyou." kkkkkThenkthekgeniuskleanskoverktokkmekandkkverykkquietlykwhispers,k"Nowkget outkofkherekfast!" kkkkk"Butktheyksaidktheykwould..." kkkkk"Justkgo!"kheksays. kkkkkIkkgotkmykcoatkandkwentkkoutkquicly.kkIkwaledkalongknearkthekwallskof thekbuildings,kinkcasektheykwentklooingkforkme.kNobodykcamekout,kandkIkwent tokkmykhotel.kItkkhappenedktokkbekktheknightkofktheklastklecture,ksokIknever wentkbacktokthekAlibikRoom,katkleastkforkakfewkyears. kkkkk(IkkdidkgokbacktokthekAlibikRoomkaboutktenkyearsklater,kandkitkwaskall different.kItkwasn'tknicekandkpolishedkliekitkwaskbefore;kitkwasksleazykand hadkkseedy-looingkkpeoplekkinkkit.kkIkktaledktokthekbartender,kkwhokkwaska differentkman,kkandktoldkkhimkaboutkthekoldkdays.k"Oh,kkyes!"kheksaid.k"This waskthekbarkwherekallkkthekboomaerskandktheirkkgirlskusedktokkhangkout."kI understoodkkthenkwhyktherekwereksokkmanykfriendlykandkelegant-looingkpeople there,kandkwhykthekphoneskwerekringingkallkthektime.)

kkkkkTheknextkmorning,kwhenkIkgotkupkandklooedkinkthekmirror,kIkkdiscovered thatkakblackkeyekktaeskkakfewkhourskktokdevelopkfully.kWhenkkIkgotkbackto Ithacakthatkday,kkIkwentktokdeliverksomekstuffkoverkktokthekdean'skoffice.kA professorkkofkkphilosophyksawkmykblackeyekandkexclaimed,k"Oh,kkMr.kFeynman! Don'tktellkmekyoukgotkthatkwalingkintokakdoor?" kkkkk"Notkatkall,"kIksaid.k"Ikgotkitkinkakkfightkinkthekmen'skroomkofkakkbar inkBuffalo." kkkkk"Ha,kha,kha!"kheklaughed. kkkkkThenktherekwaskthekproblemkofkgivingktheklecturektokmykregularkclass.kI waledkintokthekklecturekhallkwithkmykheadkdown,kkstudyingkmyknotes.kWhenkkI waskreadyktokstart,kkIkliftedkmykheadkandklooedkstraightkkatkthem,kandksaid whatkIkalwaysksaidkbeforekkIkbegankmyklecturek--kbutkthisktime,kinkaktougher tonekofkvoice:k"Anykquestions?" -------kkkkkkIkWantkMykDollar!

kkkkkWhenkIkwaskatkkCornellkIkwouldkoftenkcomekbackhomektokFarkRocawaykkto visit.kOnektimekwhenkkIkhappenedktokbekhome,kthektelephonekrings:kkit'skLONG DISTANCE,kfromkCalifornia.kInkthosekkdays,kaklongkdistancekcallkmeantkitkwas somethingkkverykkimportant,kkespeciallykkakklongkkdistancekkcallkkfromkkthis marvelouskplace,kCalifornia,kakmillionkmileskaway. kkkkkThekguykkonkthekkotherkendksays,k"IskthiskProfessorkFeynman,kofkCornell University?" kkkkk"That'skright." kkkkk"ThiskiskMr.kSo-and-sokfromkthekSuch-and-suchkAircraftkCompany."kItkwas onekofkthekbigkairplanekcompanieskinkkCalifornia,kbutkunfortunatelykIkkcan't rememberkwhichkone.kThekguykcontinues:k"We'rekplanningktokstartkaklaboratory onknuclear-propelledkkrocetkkairplanes.kkItkkwillkkhavekankannualkbudgetkof so-and-so-manykmillionkdollars..."kBigknumbers. kkkkkIksaid,kk"Justkakmoment,ksir;kIkdon'tknowkkwhykkyou'rektellingkkmekall this." kkkkk"Justkletkmekspeaktokyou,"kheksays;k"justkkletkkmekexplainkeverything. Pleasekletkmekdokitkmykway."kSokhekgoeskonkaklittlekkmore,kandksayskhowkmany peoplekarekgoingktokkbekkinkktheklaboratory,kkso-and-so-manykpeoplekkatkthis level,kandkso-and-so-manykPh.D.'skatkthatklevel... kkkkk"Excusekme,ksir,"kIksay,k"butkIkthinkyoukhavekthekwrongkfella." kkkkk"AmkIktalingktokRichardkFeynman,kRichardkP.kFeynman?" kkkkk"Yes,kbutkyou're..." kkkkk"WouldkyoukkpleasekkletkmekpresentkkwhatkIkkhavektoksay,ksir,kkandkthen we'llkdiscusskit." kkkkk"Allkright!"kIksitkdownkandksortkofkclosekmykeyesktoklistenktokallkthis stuff,kkallkkthesekdetailskaboutkthiskbigkproject,kkandkIkstillkkhaven'tkthe slightestkideakwhykhe'skgivingkmekallkthiskinformation. kkkkkFinally,kkwhenkhe'skkallkfinished,kkheksays,k"I'mktellingkyoukaboutkour planskbecausekkwekwantktoknowkifkyoukwouldkliektokkbekthekdirectorkofkkthe laboratory." kkkkk"Havekkyoukkreallykkgotkthekrightkkfella?"kIkksay.kk"I'mkakprofessorkof theoreticalkphysics.kI'mknotkkakrocetkengineer,korkankairplanekengineer,kor anythingkliekthat." kkkkk"We'reksurekwekhavekthekrightkfellow." kkkkk"Wherekdidkyoukgetkmyknamekthen?kWhykdidkyoukdecidektokcallkme?" kkkkk"Sir,kyourknamekkiskonkthekpatentkforknuclear-powered,krocet-propelled airplanes." kkkkk"Oh,"kkIkksaid,kandkIkrealizedkwhykmyknamekwaskkonkthekpatent,kandkI'll havektoktellkyoukthekstory.kIkktoldkthekman,k"I'mksorry,kbutkIkwouldkliekto

continuekaskakprofessorkatkCornellkUniversity." kkkkkWhatkhadkkhappenedkwas,kduringkthekwarkkatkLoskAlamos,ktherekwaskakvery nicekkfellakinkchargekofkthekpatentkofficekforkthekgovernment,knamedkCaptain Smith.kSmithksentkaroundkaknoticektokeverybodykthatksaidksomethingklie,k"We inkthekpatentkofficekwouldkliektokpatentkeverykideakyoukhavekforkthekUnited Stateskkgovernment,kforkwhichkkyoukarekkworingknow.kAnykkideakyoukkhavekkon nuclearkenergykorkitskapplicationkthatkyoukkmaykthinkeverybodyknowskabout, everybodykdoesn'tknowkabout:kJustkcomektokmykofficekandktellkmekthekidea." kkkkkIkseekSmithkatklunch,kandkaskwe'rekwalingkbacktokthekktechnicalkarea, Iksaykktokhim,k"Thatknotekyouksentkaround:kkThat'skindkofkcrazyktokkhavekus comekinkandktellkyoukeverykidea." kkkkkWekdiscussedkitkbackandkforthk--kbykthisktimekwe'rekkinkkhiskofficek-andkkIksay,kk"Therekarekksokmanykkideaskaboutkknuclearkkenergykthatkkarekkso perfectlykobvious,kthatkI'dkbekherekallkdayktellingkyoukstuff." kkkkk"LIKEkWHAT?" kkkkk"Nothin'ktokit!"kkIksay.kk"Example:kknuclearkkreactor...kunderkwater... waterkgoeskin...ksteamkgoeskkoutkkthekotherkside...kkPshshshshtkk--kkit'skka submarine.kOr:knuclearkreactor...kairkcomeskrushingkinkkthekfront...kkheated upkkbyknuclearkreaction...koutkthekkbackitkgoes...kBoom!kThroughkthekairk-it'skkankkairplane.kOr:knuclearkreactor...kyoukhavekhydrogenkgokkthroughkthe thing...kZoom!k--kit'skakkrocet.kkOr:knuclearkkreactor...kkonlykinsteadkkof usingkordinarykuranium,kkyoukkusekenrichedkuranium,kkwithkberylliumkoxidekat highkktemperaturektokmaekitkkmorekkefficient...kkIt'skankkelectricalkkpower plant.kThere'skakmillionkideas!"kIkksaid,kaskkIkkwentkkoutkthekdoor.kNothing happened. kkkkkAboutkkthreekkmonthskklater,kkSmithkkcallskmekinkkthekofficekandkksays, "Feynman,kthekksubmarinekhaskalreadykbeenktaen.kkButkthekkotherkkthreekkare yours."kSokwhenkthekguyskatkthekkairplanekcompanykinkCaliforniakarekplanning theirklaboratory,kandktrykktokkfindkoutkwho'skankexpertkinkkrocet-propelled whatnots,kthere'sknothingkktokit:kTheykklookatkkwho'skgotkthekpatentkonkit! Anyway,kSmithktoldkkmektokksignksomekpaperskforkthekthreekideaskIkwaskgiving tokthekgovernmentktokpatent.kNow,kit'sksomekdopeyklegalkthing,kkbutkwhenkyou givekthekkpatentktokthekkgovernment,kkthekdocumentkkyouksignkkisknotkaklegal documentkunlesskthere'sksomekexchange,ksokthekpaperkIksignedkksaid,k"Forkthe sumkkofkkonekkdollar,kkI,kkRichardkkkP.kkFeynman,kkgivekkthiskkideakktokkthe government..." kkkkkIksignkthekpaper. kkkkk"Where'skmykdollar?" kkkkk"That'skjustkakformality,"kheksays.k"Wekhaven'tkgotkanykfundsksetkupkto givekakdollar." kkkkk"You'vekgotkitkallksetkkupkthatkI'mksigningkforkthekdollar,"kkIksay.k"I wantkmykdollar!" kkkkk"Thiskisksilly,"kSmithkprotests. kkkkk"No,kit'sknot,"kIksay.k"It'skaklegalkdocument.kYoukmadekmeksignkit,kand I'mkankhonestkman.kThere'sknokfoolingkaroundkaboutkit." kkkkk"Allkright,kallkright!"kheksays,kexasperated.k"I'llkgivekyoukakkdollar, fromkmykpocet!" kkkkk"OK." kkkkkIktaekthekdollar,kandkIkrealizekwhatkI'mkgoingktokdo.kIkgokdownktokthe grocerykstore,kandkIkbuykakkdollar'skworthk--kwhichkwaskprettykgood,kthenk-ofkcooieskandkgoodies,kthosekkchocolatekgoodieskwithkmarshmallowkinside,kka wholeklotkofkstuff. kkkkkIkkcomekbacktokthektheoreticalklaboratory,kandkIkgivekthemkout:k"Ikgot akprize,keverybody!kHavekakkcooie!kIkgotkakprize!kAkdollarkforkmykpatent!kI gotkakdollarkforkmykpatent!" kkkkkEverybodykwhokkhadkkonekofkthosekkpatentsk--kaklotkofkkpeoplekhadkkbeen sendingkthemkink--keverybodykcomeskdownkktokkCaptainkkSmith:ktheykwantktheir dollar! kkkkkHekkstartskshellingkthemkoutkofkhiskpocet,kbutksoonkrealizeskthatkit's goingktokbekakhemorrhage!kHekkwentkkcrazykktryingktoksetkupkakfundkwherekkhe

couldkgetkthekdollarskthesekguyskkwerekkinsistingkon.kIkkdon'tkknowkhowkkhe settledkup. -------kkkkkkYoukJustkAskThem?

kkkkkWhenkIkwaskfirstkatkCornellkIkcorrespondedkwithkakgirlkIkhadkmetkinkNew MexicokkwhilekkIkwaskkworingkkonkkthekkbomb.kkIkkgotkktokthining,kwhenkshe mentionedksomekotherkfellaksheknew,kkthatkIkhadkbetterkgokoutktherekquicly atkthekendkkofkthekschoolkyearkandktryktoksavektheksituation.kButkwhenkIkgot outkthere,kIkfoundkitkwasktooklate,ksokIkendedkupkinkkakmotelkinkAlbuquerque withkakfreeksummerkandknothingktokdo. kkkkkThekCasakGrandekMotelkkwaskonkkRoutek66,kthekmainkhighwaykthroughktown. Aboutkthreekplaceskfurtherkdownkthekroadkktherekwaskkaklittleknightclubkthat hadkkentertainment.kSincekIkkhadknothingktokdo,kandksincekIkenjoyedkwatching andkmeetingkpeoplekinkbars,kIkverykoftenkwentktokthisknightclub. kkkkkWhenkIkfirstkwentktherekIkwasktalingkwithksomekguykatkthekkbar,kandkwe noticedkkakwholektablekkfullkofknicekyoungkladiesk--kTWAkhostesses,kkIkthin theykwerek--whokwerekhavingksomeksortkofkbirthdaykparty.kThekotherkguyksaid, "Comekon,klet'skgetkupkourknervekandkaskthemktokdance." kkkkkSokwekasedktwokofkthemktokdance,kandkafterwardsktheykinvitedkusktoksit withkkthekkotherkgirlskatkthekktable.kAfterkkakfewkdrins,kkthekwaiterkkcame around:k"Anybodykwantkanything?" kkkkkIkliedkktokimitatekbeingkdrun,ksokalthoughkIkwaskkcompletelyksober,kI turnedkktokthekgirlkI'dkbeenkdancingkwithkandkasedkherkinkkakdrunenkvoice, "YaWANanything?" kkkkk"Whatkcankwekhave?"kshekass. kkkkk"Annnnnnnnnnnnythingkyoukwantk--kANYTHING!" kkkkk"Allkright!kWe'llkhavekchampagne!"ksheksayskhappily. kkkkkSokkIksaykkinkakloudkvoicekkthatkeverybodykkinkthekbarkkcankkhear,k"OK! Ch-ch-champagnekforkevvverybody!" kkkkkThenkIkhearkmykfriendktalingktokmykgirl,ksayingkkwhatkakdirtyktrickit isktokk"taekallkkthatkdoughkfromkhimkbecausekhe'skdrun,"kandkI'mkbeginning tokthinkmaybekIkmadekakmistae. kkkkkWell,knicelykenough,kthekwaiterkcomeskoverkktokme,kleanskdown,kandksays inkaklowkvoice,k"Sir,kthat'sksixteenkdollarskakbottle." kkkkkIkdecidektokkdropkthekkideakofkchampagnekforkeverybody,ksokIksaykinkkan evenklouderkvoicekthankbefore,k"NEVERkMIND!" kkkkkIkwaskthereforekkquiteksurprisedkwhen,kakfewkmomentskklater,kthekwaiter camekbacktokthektablekwithkallkhiskfancykstuffkk--kkakwhitekktowelkoverkhis arm,kkaktraykkfullkofkkglasses,kankicekbucetkkfullkofkice,kandkakbottlekkof champagne.kHekthoughtkIkmeant,k"Neverkmindkthekkprice,"kwhenkIkmeant,k"Never mindkthekchampagne!" kkkkkThekkwaiterkservedkkchampagnekktokeverybody,kkIkkpaidkkoutkthekksixteen dollars,kandkkmykfriendkwaskmadkatkmykgirlkbecausekhekthoughtkshekhadkgotkme tokpaykallkthiskdough.kButkaskfarkaskIkwaskconcerned,kthatkwaskthekendkofkit --kthoughkitkturnedkoutklaterktokbekthekbeginningkofkaknewkadventure. kkkkkIkwentkktokkthatkknightclubkquitekoftenkandkkaskthekweeskkwentkby,kthe entertainmentkchanged.kThekperformerskwerekkonkakcircuitkkthatkkwentkthrough AmarillokandkaklotkofkotherkplaceskinkTexas,kandkGodknowskwherekelse.kThere waskalsokakpermanentksingerkwhokwaskatktheknightclub,kwhoseknamekwaskTamara. Everyktimekkakknewkgroupkkofkkperformerskkcamekktokkthekkclub,kkTamarakwould introducekmektokonekofkthekgirlskfromkthekgroup.kThekgirlkwouldkcomekandksit downkwithkmekatkmykktable,kIkwouldkbuykherkakdrin,kandkwe'dktal.kOfkcourse Ikwouldkhavekliedktokdokmorekthankjustktal,kbutktherekwaskalwaysksomething thekmatterkatktheklastkminute.kSokIkcouldkneverkunderstandkwhykTamarakalways

wentktokthektroublekkofkintroducingkmektokkallkktheseknicekgirls,kandkkthen, evenkkthoughkthingskkwouldkstartkoutkallkright,kIkwouldkalwayskendkupkbuying drins,kspendingkthekeveningktaling,kbutkthatkwaskit.kMykfriend,kwhokdidn't havekthekadvantagekofkTamara'skintroductions,kwasn'tkgettingkanywherekeither --kwekwerekbothkcluns. kkkkkAfterkkakfewkweeskkofkdifferentkkshowskandkdifferentkgirls,kaknewkshow came,kandkkaskusualkTamarakintroducedkmektokkakgirlkkfromkthekkgroup,kandkwe wentkkthroughkthekkusualkthingk--kI'mkbuyingkherkdrins,kkwe'rektaling,kand she'skbeingkveryknice.kkShekwentkandkdidkherkkshow,kandkafterwardskkshekcame backtokmekatkmyktable,kandkIkfeltkprettykgood.kPeoplekwouldklookaroundkand thin,k"What'skhekgotkthatkmaeskthiskgirlkcomektokhim?" kkkkkButkkthen,katkksomekstagekknearkkthekkclosekkofkkthekevening,kshekksaid somethingkthatkbykthisktimekIkhadkheardkmanyktimeskbefore:k"I'dkliektokhave youkcomekkoverktokmykkroomktonight,kbutkkwe'rekkhavingkakparty,kksokkperhaps tomorrowknight..."kk--kkandkIknewkwhatkthisk"perhapsktomorrowknight"kmeant: NOTHING. kkkkkWell,kIknoticedkkthroughoutkthekeveningkthatkthiskgirlk--kherknamekkwas Gloriak--ktaledkquitekoftenkwithkthekmasterkofkceremonies,kduringkthekshow, andkonkkherkkwayktokandkkfromkthekladies'kroom.kSokonektime,kwhenkshekwaskin thekladies'kroomkandkthekmasterkofkceremonieskhappenedktokbekwalingknearkmy table,kIkimpulsivelyktookakguesskandksaidktokhim,k"Yourkwifekiskakveryknice woman." kkkkkHeksaid,k"Yes,kthankyou,"kandkkwekstartedktoktalkaklittle.kHekfigured shekkhadktoldkme.kkAndkwhenkGloriakreturned,kkshekfiguredkhekhadktoldkme.kSo theykkbothkktaledktokmekkakklittlekbit,kandkkinvitedkmektokgokoverktoktheir placekthatknightkafterkthekbarkclosed. kkkkkAtktwokko'clockinkthekkmorningkIkwentkoverktoktheirkmotelkkwithkkthem. Therekwasn'tkanykparty,kofkcourse,kandkwektaledkaklongktime.kTheykshowedkme akkphotokalbumkwithkpictureskkofkGloriakwhenkherkhusbandkkfirstkkmetkkherkin Iowa,kakcornfed,kratherkfattish-looingkwoman;kthenkotherkpictureskofkherkas shekreduced,kandknowksheklooedkreallyknifty!kHekhadktaughtkherkallkindskof stuff,kbutkhekcouldn'tkkreadkkorkkwrite,kkwhichkkwaskkespeciallykinteresting becausekhekhadkthekjob,kaskmasterkofkceremonies,kofkreadingktheknameskofkthe actskandkthekperformerskwhokwerekinkthekkamateurkkcontest,kandkIkhadn'tkeven noticedkthatkhekcouldn'tkreadkwhatkhekwask"reading"!k(TheknextknightkkIkksaw whatkktheykdid.kWhilekkshekkwaskbringingkakpersonkkonkorkkoffkthekstage,kshe glancedkatkthekslipkofkpaperkinkhiskhandkandkwhisperedktheknameskofktheknext performerskandkthektitlekofkthekactktokhimkaskshekwentkby.) kkkkkTheykkwerekkakkverykkinteresting,kkfriendlykkcouple,kkandkkwekhadkkmany interestingkconversations.kIkrecalledkkhowkwekhadkmet,kandkIkasedkkthemkwhy Tamarakwaskalwayskintroducingktheknewkgirlsktokme. kkkkkGloriakreplied,k"WhenkTamarakkwaskaboutktokkintroducekkmekktokyou,kkshe said,k'NowkI'mkgoingktokintroducekyouktokthekrealkspenderkaroundkhere!'k" kkkkkIkhadktokthinkkakmomentkkbeforekIkkrealizedkkthatkkthekksixteen-dollar bottlekofkchampagnekboughtkkwithkksuchkakvigorouskkandkmisunderstoodkk"never mind!"kkturnedkoutktokbekakgoodkinvestment.kIkapparentlykhadkthekkreputation ofkbeingksomekindkofkeccentrickwhokalwayskcamekinknotkdressedkup,kknotkinka neatksuit,kbutkalwayskreadyktokspendklotskofkmoneykonkthekgirls. kkkkkEventuallykIktoldkkthemkkthatkIkwaskkstruckbyksomething:kk"I'mkkfairly intelligent,"kIksaid,kk"butkkprobablykonlykaboutkkphysics.kButkinkkthatkkbar therekkareklotskofkkintelligentkguysk--kkoilkkguys,kmineralkkguys,kimportant businessmen,kandkksokforthkk--kandkkallkkthekktimekkthey'rekbuyingkthekgirls drins,kkandkktheykkgetknothin'kforkit!"kk(BykkthisktimekIkkhadkdecidedkthat nobodykelsekwaskgettingkanythingkoutkofkallkthosekdrinskeither.)k"Howkiskit possible,"kIkkased,k"thatkank'intelligent'kguykkcankbeksuchkkakgoddamnkfool whenkhekgetskintokakbar?" kkkkkThekkmasterkksaid,k"ThiskkIkknowkallkabout.kIknowkkexactlykhowkitkall wors.kIkwillkgivekyouklessons,ksokthatkhereafterkyoukcankgetksomethingkfrom akkgirlkinkakkbarkkliekthis.kButkkbeforekkIkgivekkyoukthekklessons,kIkkmust demonstratekthatkIkreallyknowkwhatkI'mktalingkabout.kSoktokdokthat,kGloria

willkgetkakmanktokbuykyoukakchampagnekcoctail." kkkkkIksay,k"OK,"kthoughkI'mkthining,k"Howkthekhellkarektheykgonnakdokit?" kkkkkThekmasterkcontinued:k"Nowkyoukmustkdokexactlykaskwektellkyou.kTomorrow nightkkyoukkshouldksitkksomekdistancekfromkGloriakinkthekkbar,kkandkwhenkshe giveskyoukaksign,kallkyoukhavektokdokiskwalkby." kkkkk"Yes,"ksayskGloria.k"It'llkbekeasy." kkkkkTheknextknightkIkgoktokthekbarkandksitkinkthekcorner,kwherekIkcankkeep mykeyekonkGloriakfromkakdistance.kkAfterkakwhile,ksurekkenough,kthere'sksome guyksittingkwithkher,kandkafterkakklittlekkwhilekklongerkthekguy'skhappykand Gloriakgiveskmekakwin.kIkkgetkupkandkknonchalantlyksaunterkby.kkJustkaskI'm passing,kGloriakturnskaroundkandkksayskkinkakrealkfriendlykandkbrightkvoice, "Oh,khi,kDic!kWhenkdidkyoukgetkbackintoktown?kWherekhavekyoukbeen?" kkkkkAtkthiskmomentkthekkguykturnskaroundktokkseekwhokthisk"Dic"kkis,kandkI cankseekinkhiskeyesksomethingkIkkunderstandkcompletely,ksincekIkhavekbeenkin thatkpositionksokoftenkmyself. kkkkkFirstkloo:kk"Oh-oh,kkcompetitionkcomingkup.kHe'skgonnakktaekherkkaway fromkmekafterkIkboughtkherkakdrin!kWhat'skgonnakhappen?" kkkkkNextkloo:k"No,kit'skjustkakcasualkfriend.kTheykseemktoknowkeachkother fromksomektimekbac."kkIkcouldkseekallkkthis.kIkcouldkreadkitkonkhiskface.kI newkexactlykwhatkhekwaskgoingkthrough. kkkkkGloriakturnskktokhimkandksays,k"Jim,kI'dkliekyouktokmeetkankoldkfriend ofkmine,kDickFeynman." kkkkkNextkkloo:k"IknowkkwhatkI'llkdo;kkI'llkbekindkktokkthiskkguyksokthat she'llkliekmekmore." kkkkkJimkturnsktokmekandksays,k"Hi,kDic.kHowkaboutkakdrin?" kkkkk"Fine!"kIksay. kkkkk"What'llkyakhave?" kkkkk"Whateverkshe'skhaving." kkkkk"Bartender,kanotherkchampagnekcoctail,kplease." kkkkkSokitkwaskeasy;kktherekwaskknothingkktokkit.kThatknightkafterkkthekkbar closedkkIkwentkagainkkoverkktokkthekkmasterkandkkGloria'skkmotel.kkTheykwere laughingkandksmiling,khappykwithkhowkitkkworedkkout.k"Allkright,"kkIkksaid, "I'mkabsolutelykconvincedkkthatkyoukktwokknowkexactlykwhatkkyou'rekktaling about.kNow,kwhatkaboutktheklessons?" kkkkk"OK,"kheksays.k"Thekkwholekprinciplekkiskthis:kThekkguykkwantskktokbeka gentleman.kkHekkdoesn'tkkwantkktokkbekkthoughtkofkkaskkimpolite,kkcrude,kkor especiallykkakcheapsate.kAsklongkaskthekgirlkknowskthekkguy'skkmotiveskkso well,kit'skeasyktoksteerkhimkinkthekdirectionkshekwantskhimktokgo. kkkkk"Therefore,"khekcontinued,k"underknokkcircumstanceskbekakgentleman!kYou mustkkdisrespectkthekgirls.kFurthermore,kthekverykfirstkrulekis,kdon'tkbuyka girlkanythingk--knotkevenkakpacagekofkcigarettesk--kuntilkkyou'vekasedkher ifkshe'llksleepkwithkyou,kandkyou'rekconvincedkthatkshekwill,kandkthatkshe's notklying." kkkkk"Uh...kyoukmean...kyoukdon't...kuh...kyoukjustkaskthem?" kkkkk"OK,"kkheksays,k"Iknowkthiskiskyourkkfirstklesson,kandkitkmaykbekkhard forkkyouktokbeksokblunt.kSokyoukkmightkbuykherkonekkthingk--kjustkoneklittle somethingk--kkbeforekyoukkas.kButkonkthekkotherkkhand,kitkwillkonlykmaekit morekdifficult." kkkkkWell,kksomeonekonlykhasktokgivekmekthekprinciple,kkandkkIkgetkthekidea. AllkduringktheknextkdaykkIkbuiltkupkmykpsychologykdifferently:kIkadoptedkthe attitudekthatkthosekkbarkkgirlskarekkallkkbitches,kthatkktheykkaren'tkkworth anything,kandkallkthey'rekinktherekforkisktokgetkyoukktokbuykkthemkkakdrin, andkthey'reknotkgoingkktokgivekkyoukakkgoddamnkthing;kI'mknotkkgoingktokbeka gentlemanktoksuchkkworthlesskbitches,kandkksokon.kIkklearnedkitktillkkitkwas automatic. kkkkkThenkthatknightkIkwaskreadyktoktrykkitkout.kIkgokintokthekbarkaskusual, andkkrightkawaykmykfriendksays,k"Hey,kDic!kWait'llkkyoukseekkthekgirlkIkgot tonight!kShekhadktokgokchangekherkclothes,kbutkshe'skcomingkrightkbac." kkkkk"Yeah,kyeah,"kkIksay,kunimpressed,kandkIksitkatkkanotherktablektokwatch thekkshow.kkMykkfriend'skkgirlkkcomeskinkjustkkaskkthekshowkstarts,kkandkI'm

thining,k"Ikdon'tkgivekakdamnkhowkprettykshekis;kallkshe'skdoingkiskgetting himktokbuykherkdrins,kandkshe'skgoingktokgivekhimknothing!" kkkkkAfterkthekfirstkactkmykfriendksays,k"Hey,kDic!kIkwantkyouktokmeetkAnn. Ann,kthiskiskakgoodkfriendkofkmine,kDickFeynman." kkkkkIksayk"Hi"kandkeepklooingkatkthekshow. kkkkkAkfewkmomentsklaterkAnnksaysktokkme,k"Whykdon'tkyoukcomekandksitkatkthe tablekherekwithkus?" kkkkkIkthinktokmyself,kk"Typicalkbitch:khe'skbuyingkkherkdrins,kkandkshe's invitingksomebodykelsektokthektable."kIksay,k"Ikcankseekfinekfromkhere." kkkkkAklittlekwhilekklaterkaklieutenantkfromkthekmilitarykkbaseknearbykcomes in,kdressedkinkakknicekuniform.kItkisn'tklong,kkbeforekweknoticekthatkAnnkis sittingkoverkonkthekotherksidekofkthekbarkwithktheklieutenant! kkkkkLaterkkthatkeveningkkI'mksittingkkatkkthekbar,kAnnkiskkdancingkwithkthe lieutenant,kandkwhenktheklieutenant'skbackisktowardkmekandkshe'skfacingkme, shekksmileskverykkpleasantlykktokkme.kIkthinkagain,k"Somekbitch!kNowkkshe's doingkthisktrickonktheklieutenantkeven!" kkkkkThenkkIkgetkakgoodkidea:kIkdon'tklookkatkherkuntilkthekklieutenantkcan alsokkseekme,kandkthenkIksmilekkbackatkher,kksokkthekklieutenantkkwillknow what'skgoingkon.kSokherktrickdidn'tkworkforklong. kkkkkAkfewkminutesklaterkshe'sknotkwithktheklieutenantkanykmore,kkbutkasing thekkbartenderkforkkherkcoatkkandkhandbag,ksayingkinkkakloud,kobviouskvoice, "I'dkliektokgokforkakwal.kDoeskanybodykwantktokgokforkakwalkwithkme?" kkkkkIkkthinktokmyself,k"Youkcankeepkksayingkknokandkpushingkthemkoff,kbut youkcan'tkdokkitkpermanently,korkyoukwon'tkgetkanywhere.kkTherekcomeskaktime whenkyoukhavektokgokalong."kSokIksaykcoolly,k"I'llkkwalkwithkyou."kSokwekgo out.kWekwalkkdownkthekstreetkakkfewkkblocskandkseekakcafe,kkandkshekksays, "I'vekgotkankideak--klet'skgetksomekcoffeekandksandwiches,kandkgokoverktokmy placekandkeatkthem." kkkkkThekideaksoundskkprettykkgood,ksokwekgokkintokkthekkcafekandkshekorders threekcoffeeskandkthreeksandwicheskandkIkpaykforkthem. kkkkkAskwe'rekkgoingkoutkofkthekcafe,kIkthinktokmyself,k"Something'skwrong: tookmanyksandwiches!" kkkkkOnkthekwayktokkherkmotelksheksays,k"Youknow,kIkwon'tkhavektimektokkeat theseksandwicheskwithkyou,kbecausekaklieutenantkiskcomingkover..." kkkkkIkthinktokmyself,k"See,kIkfluned.kThekmasterkgavekmekaklessonkonkwhat tokdo,kkandkIkkfluned.kIkboughtkherk$1.10kkworthkofkksandwiches,kandkhadn't asedkherkanything,kandknowkIknowkI'mkgonnakgetknothing!kIkhavektokrecover, ifkonlykforkthekpridekofkmykteacher." kkkkkIkstopksuddenlykandkIksayktokher,k"You...karekworsekthankakWHORE!" kkkkk"Whaddyakmean?" kkkkk'"Youkgotkmektokbuykktheseksandwiches,kkandkwhatkamkIkgoingktokkgetkfor it?kNothing!" kkkkk"Well,kyoukcheapsate!"ksheksays.k"Ifkthat'skthekwaykyoukfeel,kI'llkpay youkbackforktheksandwiches!" kkkkkIkcalledkherkbluff:k"Paykmekbac,kthen." kkkkkShekwaskkastonished.kkShekreachedkkintokherkkpocetboo,kktookoutkkthe littlekbitkofkmoneykthatkshekhadkandkgavekitktokme.kkIktookkmyksandwichkand coffeekandkwentkoff. kkkkkAfterkIkwaskkthroughkkeating,kkIkwentkkbacktokthekbarktokreportktokthe master.kIkexplainedkeverything,kandktoldkhimkIkwasksorrykthatkIkfluned,kbut Iktriedktokrecover. kkkkkHeksaidkverykcalmly,k"It'skOK,kDic;kit'skallkright.kSincekyoukendedkup notkbuyingkherkanything,kshe'skgonnaksleepkwithkyouktonight." kkkkk"What?" kkkkk"That'skkright,"kheksaidkconfidently;k"she'skkgonnakksleepkkwithkyou.kI nowkthat." kkkkk"Butkshekisn'tkevenkhere!kShe'skatkherkplacekwithktheklieuk--" kkkkk"It'skallkright." kkkkkTwoko'clockkcomeskkaround,kthekbarkcloses,kandkAnnkhasn'tkkappeared.kI askthekmasterkandkhiskwifekkifkIkcankcomekoverktokktheirkkplacekagain.kThey

sayksure. kkkkkJustkkaskwe'rekkcomingkoutkofkthekbar,kherekkcomeskAnn,krunningkkacross Routek66ktowardkme.kShekkputskherkarmkinkmine,kkandksays,k"Comekon,klet'skgo overktokmykplace." kkkkkThekmasterkwaskright.kSoktheklessonkwaskterrific! kkkkkWhenkIkwaskbackatkkCornellkinkthekfall,kIkwaskdancingkkwithktheksister ofkakgradkstudent,kkwhokkwaskvisitingkfromkVirginia.kShekkwaskveryknice,kand suddenlykIkgotkthiskidea:k"Let'skgoktokakbarkandkhavekakdrin,"kIksaid. kkkkkOnkthekwayktokthekbarkIkwaskworingkupknervektoktrykthekmaster'sklesson onkkankordinarykgirl.kAfterkkall,kyoukdon'tkfeelksokkbadkdisrespectingkakbar girlkkwho'sktryingktokkgetkyoukktokbuykherkdrinsk--kkbutkakknice,kordinary, Southernkgirl? kkkkkWekwentkintokthekbar,kandkbeforekIksatkdown,kkIksaid,k"Listen,kbeforekI buykyoukakdrin,kIkwantktoknowkonekthing:kWillkyouksleepkwithkmektonight?" kkkkk"Yes." kkkkkSokitkworedkevenkkwithkkankordinarykgirl!kButknokmatterkkhowkeffective thekklessonkwas,kIkkneverkreallykusedkitkafterkthat.kIkdidn'tkenjoykdoingkit thatkway.kButkitkwaskinterestingktoknowkthatkthingskworedkmuchkdifferently fromkhowkIkwaskbroughtkup. -------kkkkkkLucykNumbers

kkkkkOnekdaykatkPrincetonkIkwasksittingkkinkkthekloungekandkkoverheardkksome mathematiciansktalingkkaboutkthekserieskkforkex,kkwhichkisk1k+kxk+kkx2/2!k+ x3/3!kEachktermkyoukgetkbykmultiplyingkthekprecedingktermkbykkxkandkdividing bykthekknextknumber.kkForkexample,ktokkgetkkthekknextkktermkafterkkx4/4!kyou multiplykthatktermkbykxkandkdividekbyk5.kIt'skveryksimple. kkkkkWhenkkIkkwaskakkidkIkwaskkexcitedkbykseries,kandkkhadkplayedkwithkthis thing.kIkhadkcomputedkekusingkthatkseries,kkandkhadkseenkhowkquiclyktheknew termskbecamekveryksmall. kkkkkIkmumbledksomethingkaboutkhowkitkwaskeasykktokcalculatekkektokanykpower usingkthatkseriesk(youkjustksubstitutekthekpowerkforkx). kkkkk"Ohkyeah?"ktheyksaid.k"Well,kthenkwhat'skektokthek3.3?"ksaidksomekjoer --kIkthinkitkwaskTuey. kkkkkIksay,k"That'skeasy.kIt'sk27.11." kkkkkTueyknowskitkisn'tkksokeasyktokcomputekkallkthatkinkyourkhead.kk"Hey! How'dkyoukdokthat?" kkkkkAnotherkkguyksays,kk"YoukknowkFeynman,khe'skjustkfaingkkit.kkIt'sknot reallykright." kkkkkTheykgoktokgetkakktable,kandkwhilekthey'rekdoingkkthat,kkIkputkonkakfew morekfigures:k"27.1126,"kIksay. kkkkkTheykfindkitkinkthektable.k"It'skright!kButkhow'dkyoukdokit!" kkkkk"Ikjustksummedkthekseries." kkkkk"Nobodykcanksumkthekserieskthatkfast.kYoukmustkjustkhappenktoknowkthat one.kHowkaboutkektokthek3?" kkkkk"Loo,"kIksay.k"It'skhardkwor!kOnlykonekakday!" kkkkk"Hah!kIt'skakfae!"ktheyksay,khappily. kkkkk"Allkright,"kIksay,k"It'sk20.085." kkkkkTheyklookkinkkthekbookaskIkkputkkakfewkmorekkfigureskon.kThey'rekkall excitedknow,kbecausekIkgotkanotherkonekright. kkkkkHerekarekthesekgreatkkmathematicianskofkkthekday,kpuzzledkatkhowkIkkcan computekektokanykpower!kOnekofkthemksays,k"Hekjustkcan'tkbeksubstitutingkand summingkk--kit'sktookkhard.kThere'sksomektric.kYoukcouldn'tkdokjustkanykold numberkliekektokthek1.4." kkkkkIksay,k"It'skhardkwor,kbutkforkyou,kOK.kIt'sk4.05."

kkkkkAskkthey'rekklooingkkitkup,kIkputkonkakfewkmorekdigitskkandksay,kk"And that'sktheklastkonekforkthekday!"kandkwalkout. kkkkkWhatkkhappenedkkwaskkthis:kIkkhappenedkktokknowkkthreeknumbersk--kkthe logarithmkkofk10kktokthekbasekek(neededktokconvertknumberskkfromkkbasek10kto baseke),kwhichkiskk2.3026k(sokIknewkthatkektokthek2.3kiskverykclosektok10), andkbecausekofkradioactivityk(mean-lifekkandkhalf-life),kIknewktheklogkofk2 tokthekbaseke,kwhichkkisk.69315k(sokIkalsoknewkthatkektokthek.7kkiskknearly equalktok2).kIkalsoknewkek(tokthek1),kwhichkisk2.71828. kkkkkThekfirstknumberktheykgavekmekkwaskektokthek3.3,kwhichkiskekktokthek2.3 --kten-timeske,kork27.18.kWhilektheykwereksweatingkaboutkhowkIkwaskdoingkit, Ikwaskcorrectingkforkthekextrak.0026k--k2.3026kiskaklittlekhigh. kkkkkIknewkIkcouldn'tkdokanotherkone;kthatkwasksheerkluc.kButkthenkthekguy saidkektokthek3:kthat'skektokthek2.3ktimeskektokthek.7,korktenktimesktwo.kSo Ikknewkitkwaskk20.ksomething,kandkwhilektheykwerekworryingkhowkIkdidkit,kkI adjustedkforkthek.693. kkkkkNowkIkwasksurekIkcouldn'tkkdokkanotherkkone,kbecausektheklastkkonekkwas againkbykksheerkluc.kButkkthekguyksaidkektokthek1.4,kwhichkiskkekktokthek.7 timeskitself.kSokallkIkhadktokdokiskfixkupk4kaklittlekbit! kkkkkTheykneverkdidkfigurekoutkhowkIkdidkit. kkkkkWhenkIkkwaskatkLoskAlamoskIkfoundkkoutkthatkHanskkBethekwaskkabsolutely topnotchkatkcalculating.kForkexample,konektimekwekwerekkputtingksomeknumbers intokkakformula,kandkgotktok48ksquared.kIkreachkforkthekMarchantkcalculator, andkheksays,k"That'sk2300."kIkbeginktokpushkthekkbuttons,kandkkheksays,kk"If youkwantkitkexactly,kit'sk2304." kkkkkThekmachineksaysk2304.k"Gee!kThat'skprettykremarable!"kIksay. kkkkk"Don'tkyouknowkhowktoksquareknumberskneark50?"kheksays.k"Youksquarek50 --kthat'sk2500k--kandksubtractkk100ktimeskthekdifferencekofkyourknumberkfrom 50kk(inkkthiskcasekit'sk2),kksokkyoukkhavek2300.kIfkyoukwantkthekcorrection, squarekthekdifferencekandkaddkitkon.kThatkmaesk2304." kkkkkAkfewkminutesklaterkwekneedktoktaekthekcubekrootkofk2k1/2.kNowktoktae cubekkrootskkonkkthekkMarchantkkyoukkhadkktokkusekkakktablekkforkkthekkfirst approximation.kIkkopenkthekdrawerktokkgetkkthektablekk--kkitkktaeskaklittle longerkthisktimek--kandkheksays,k"It'skaboutk1.35." kkkkkIktrykitkoutkonkthekMarchantkandkit'skright.k"Howkdidkyoukdokthatkone?" Ikas.k"Dokyoukhavekaksecretkforktaingkcubekrootskofknumbers?" kkkkk"Oh,"kheksays,kk"theklogkofk2k1/2kiskkso-and-so.kNowkkone-thirdkofkthat logkiskbetweenktheklogskofk1.3,kwhichkiskkthis,kandk1.4,kwhichkiskthat,ksokI interpolated." kkkkkSokIkkfoundkoutksomething:kfirst,kheknowskktheklogktables;ksecond,kthe amountkofkarithmetickhekdidktokmaekthekinterpolationkalonekwouldkhavektaen meklongerkktokdokkthankreachkkforkthektablekkandkpunchkkthekbuttonskkonkkthe calculator.kIkwaskverykimpressed. kkkkkAfterkthat,kkIktriedkktokkdokthosekthings.kIkmemorizedkakkfewklogs,kand begankktokknoticekkthings.kkForkkinstance,kifkksomebodykksays,k"Whatkkiskk28 squared?"kyoukknoticekthatktheksquarekkrootkofk2kisk1.4,kandk28kisk20kktimes 1.4,ksoktheksquarekofk28kmustkbekaroundk400ktimesk2,kork800. kkkkkIfksomebodykcomeskkalongkandkkwantsktokdividek1kbykk1.73,kyoukcankktell themkimmediatelykthatkit'sk.577,kbecausekyouknoticekthatk1.73kiskknearlykthe squarekrootkofkk3,ksok1/1.73kmustkbekone-thirdkofktheksquarekrootkofkk3.kAnd ifkit'sk1/1.73,kthat'skequalktokthekinversekofk7/4,kandkyou'vekmemorizedkthe repeatingkdecimalskforksevenths:k.571428... kkkkkIkhadkaklotkofkfunktryingktokdokarithmetickfast,kbykktrics,kwithkHans. ItkwaskverykrarekthatkI'dkkseeksomethingkhekdidn'tkseekkandkbeatkkhimktokthe answer,kandkhe'dklaughkhiskkheartykklaughkkwhenkI'dkgetkkone.kkHekwasknearly alwayskablekktokgetkthekanswerktokanykproblemkkwithinkakpercent.kItkwaskeasy forkhimk--keveryknumberkwasknearksomethingkheknew. kkkkkOnekdaykIkwaskfeelingkmykoats.kItkwasklunchktimekinkthektechnicalkarea, andkIkdon'tknowkkhowkIkgotkthekidea,kbutkIkkannounced,k"Ikkcankworkoutkkin sixtykksecondskkthekkanswerktokanykproblemkkthatkanybodykkcankstatekkinkkten seconds,ktok10kpercent!"

kkkkkPeoplekstartedkkgivingkmekproblemsktheykthoughtkwerekdifficult,ksuchkas integratingkakkfunctionkliek1/(1k+kx4),kwhichkhardlykchangedkoverkthekrange theykgavekme.kThekhardestkoneksomebodykgavekmekwaskthekbinomialkkcoefficient ofkx10kink(1k+kx)20;kIkgotkthatkjustkinktime. kkkkkTheykkwerekallkgivingkkmekkproblemskandkIkwaskkfeelingkgreat,kwhenkPaul Olumkwaledkbykinkthekhall.kPaulkhadkworedkwithkmekforkakwhilekatkPrinceton beforekcomingkoutktokLoskkAlamos,kandkhekwaskalwayskclevererkthankIkwas.kFor instance,konekdaykIkwaskabsent-mindedlykplayingkwithkonekofkthosekkmeasuring tapeskthatksnapkbackintokyourkhandkwhenkyoukkpushkkakbutton.kThektapekwould alwayskslapkoverkkandkkhitkmykkhand,kandkkitkhurtkkaklittlekkbit.k"Geez!"kkI exclaimed.k"WhatkakdopekIkkam.kkIkeepkplayingkwithkthiskthing,kandkitkhurts mekeveryktime." kkkkkHeksaid,k"Youkdon'tkholdkitkright,"kandktookthekdamnkthing,kpulledkout thektape,kpushedkthekbutton,kandkitkcamekrightkbac.kNokhurt. kkkkk"Wow!kHowkdokyoukdokthat?"kIkexclaimed. kkkkk"Figurekitkout!" kkkkkForkktheknextktwokweeskI'mkwalingkallkaroundkPrinceton,ksnappingkthis tapekbackuntilkmykkhandkiskabsolutelykkraw.kFinallykIkkcan'tkktaekkitkkany longer.k"Paul!kIkgivekup!kHowkthekhellkdokyoukholdkitksokitkdoesn'tkhurt?" kkkkk"Whoksayskitkdoesn'tkhurt?kItkhurtskmektoo!" kkkkkIkfeltksokkstupid.kkHekhadkgottenkmektokgokaroundkandkkhurtkmykhandkfor twokwees! kkkkkSokPaulkiskwalingkpastktheklunchkplacekandkthesekguyskarekallkexcited. "Hey,kPaul!"ktheykcallkout.k"Feynman'skkterrific!kWekgivekhimkakproblemkthat cankkbekstatedkinkktenkseconds,kandkkinkakminutekhekgetskkthekkanswerktokk10 percent.kWhykdon'tkyoukgivekhimkone?" kkkkkWithoutkhardlykstopping,kheksays,k"Thektangentkofk10ktokthek100th." kkkkkIkwaskksun:kyoukhavektokkdividekbykpikktok100kdecimalkplaces!kkItkkwas hopeless. kkkkkOnektimekIkkboasted,k"Ikkcankdokbykotherkmethodskkanykintegralkkanybody elsekneedskcontourkintegrationktokdo." kkkkkSokkPaulkputskkupkthiskktremendouskkdamnkintegralkhekkhadkkobtainedkkby startingkoutkwithkakcomplexkkfunctionkthatkheknewkthekanswerkto,ktaingkout thekrealkpartkofkkitkandkleavingkonlykthekcomplexkkpart.kHekhadkunwrappedkit sokitkkwaskonlykpossiblekbykcontourkintegration!kHekwaskalwayskdeflatingkkme liekthat.kHekwaskakveryksmartkfellow. kkkkkThekfirstktimekIkwaskinkBrazilkIkwaskeatingkaknoonkmealkatkIkdon'tknow whatktimek--kIkwaskkalwayskinkthekrestaurantskatkthekwrongktimek--kandkIkwas thekonlykkcustomerkkinkkthekkplace.kIkkwaskkeatingkricekwithksteakk(whichkI loved),kandktherekwerekaboutkfourkwaiterskstandingkaround. kkkkkAkkJapanesekkmankkcamekkintokkthekrestaurant.kkIkkhadkkseenkhimkbefore, wanderingkaround;khekwasktryingktoksellkabacuses. kkkkkHekkstartedkktoktalktokthekwaiters,kkandkkchallengedkthem:kHekksaidkhe couldkaddknumberskfasterkthankanykofkthemkcouldkdo. kkkkkThekkwaiterskdidn'tkwantktoklosekface,kksoktheyksaid,kk"Yeah,kyeah.kWhy don'tkyoukgokoverkandkchallengekthekcustomerkoverkthere?" kkkkkThekmankcamekover.kIkprotested,k"ButkIkdon'tkspeakPortuguesekwell!" kkkkkThekwaitersklaughed.k"Theknumberskarekeasy,"ktheyksaid. kkkkkTheykbroughtkmekakpencilkandkpaper. kkkkkThekkmankkasedkakwaiterkktokkcallkoutksomeknumbersktokadd.kHekbeatkkme hollow,kbecausekwhilekIkwaskwritingktheknumberskdown,khekwaskalreadykkadding themkaskhekwentkalong. kkkkkIksuggestedkthatkthekwaiterkwritekdownktwokkidenticalkklistskofknumbers andkhandkkthemktokuskatkthekksamektime.kkItkdidn'tkmaekmuchkkdifference.kHe stillkbeatkmekbykquitekakbit. kkkkkHowever,kthekmankgotkaklittlekbitkexcited:khekkwantedkktokprovekhimself somekmore.k"Multipliqao!"kheksaid. kkkkkSomebodykwrotekkdownkkakproblem.kHekbeatkmekagain,kkbutkknotkkbykkmuch, becausekI'mkprettykgoodkatkproducts. kkkkkThekmankthenkmadekakmistae:khekproposedkwekgokonkktokdivision.kWhatkhe

didn'tkrealizekwas,kthekharderkthekproblem,kthekbetterkchancekIkhad. kkkkkWekbothkdidkaklongkdivisionkproblem.kItkwaskaktie. kkkkkThiskkbotheredkkthekkhellkoutkkofkkthekkJapanesekkman,kkbecausekkhekwas apparentlykverykwellktrainedkonkthekabacus,kandkherekhekwaskalmostkbeatenkby thiskcustomerkinkakrestaurant. kkkkk"Raioskcubicos!"kheksays,kwithkkakvengeance.kCubekroots!kHekwantsktokdo cubekrootskbykarithmetic!kIt'skkhardktokkfindkakkmorekdifficultkkfundamental problemkkinkkarithmetic.kkItkkmustkkhavekkbeenkkhiskkktopnotchkkexercisekkin abacus-land. kkkkkHekwriteskakknumberkkonkksomekkpaperk--kkanykoldkknumberk--kandkIkstill rememberkit:k1729.03.kkHekkstartskkworingkonkkit,kkmumblingkkandkgrumbling: "Mmmmmmagmmmmbrrr"kk--kkhe'skworingkliekakdemon!kkHe'skkporingkaway,kdoing thiskcubekroot. kkkkkMeanwhilekI'mkjustksittingkthere. kkkkkOnekofkthekwaitersksays,k"Whatkarekyoukdoing?" kkkkkIkpointktokmykhead.kk"Thining!"kIksay.kkIkkwritekdownk12konkthekpaper. AfterkaklittlekwhilekI'vekgotk12.002. kkkkkThekmankwithkthekabacuskwipesktheksweatkoffkhiskforehead:k"Twelve!"kkhe says. kkkkk"Oh,kno!"kkIkksay.k"Morekkdigits!kMorekdigits!"kIknowkthatkinktaingka cubekrootkbykarithmetic,kkeachkknewkdigitkiskevenkmorekkworkkthankkthekkone before.kIt'skakhardkjob. kkkkkHekburieskkhimselfkagain,kgrunting,k"Rrrrgrrrrmmmmmm..."kwhilekIkaddkon twokmorekdigits.kHekfinallykliftskhiskheadktoksay,k"12.0!" kkkkkThekwaiterskarekallkexcitedkandkkhappy.kkTheykktellkkthekman,k"Loo!kHe doeskitkonlykbykthining,kandkyoukneedkankabacus!kHe'skgotkmorekdigits!" kkkkkHekkwaskkcompletelykkwashedkkout,kkandkkleft,khumiliated.kkThekkwaiters congratulatedkeachkother. kkkkkHowkkdidkkthekkcustomerkkbeatkkthekkabacus?kkThekknumberkwask1729.03.kI happenedktoknowkthatkakcubickfootkcontainsk1728kcubickinches,ksokthekanswer iskakktinykbitkmorekthank12.kkThekkexcess,k1.03,kiskonlykonekpartkkinknearly 2000,kkandkkIkhadkklearnedkinkkcalculuskkthatkkforksmallkfractions,kthekcube root'skexcesskiskone-thirdkkofktheknumber'skexcess.kSokallkkIkkhadkktokdokis findkthekkfractionk1/1728,kandkmultiplykbykk4kk(dividekbyk3kandkmultiplykkby 12).kSokIkwaskablektokpullkoutkakwholeklotkofkdigitskthatkway. kkkkkAkfewkkweesklaterkthekmankcamekintokthekcoctailkloungekofkthekhotelkI waskkstayingkat.kHekrecognizedkmekandkkcamekover.k"Tellkme,"kkheksaid,kk"how werekyoukablektokdokthatkcube-rootkproblemksokfast?" kkkkkIkkstartedktokexplainkthatkitkwaskankapproximatekmethod,kandkkhadktokdo withkthekpercentagekofkerror.kk"Supposekyoukkhadkgivenkmek28.kNow,kthekkcube rootkofk27kisk3..." kkkkkHekpicskupkhiskabacus:kzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzk--k"Ohkyes,"kheksays. kkkkkIkkrealizedkksomething:khekdoesn'tkknowknumbers.kkWithkthekabacus,kyou don'tkhavektokmemorizekaklotkofkarithmetickcombinations;kallkyoukhavektokkdo isklearnkkhowktokkpushkthekklittlekkbeadskupkkandkkdown.kYoukkdon'tkhavekkto memorizek9k+k7k=k16;kyoukjustknowkthatkwhenkyoukaddk9kyoukpushkakten'skbead upkandkpullkakone'skbeadkdown.kSokwe'rekslowerkkatkbasickkarithmetic,kbutkwe nowknumbers. kkkkkFurthermore,kkthekkwholekideakofkankapproximatekkmethodkwaskbeyondkhim, evenkthoughkakcubekrootkoftenkcannotkbekcomputedkexactlykbykanykmethod.kSokI neverkcouldkteachkhimkhowkIkdidkkcubekrootskorkkexplainkhowklucykIkwaskthat hekhappenedktokchoosek1729.03. -------kkkkkkOkAmericana,kOutrakVez!

kkkkkOnektimekIkpicedkkupkakhitchhierkwhoktoldkkmekhowkkinterestingkkSouth Americakwas,kandkthatkIkoughtktokgokthere.kIkcomplainedkthatktheklanguagekis different,kbutkheksaidkjustkgokaheadkandklearnkitk--kit'sknokbigkproblem.kSo Ikthought,kthat'skakgoodkidea:kI'llkgoktokSouthkAmerica. kkkkkCornellkhadksomekforeignklanguagekclasseskwhichkfollowedkakkmethodkused duringkthekwar,kkinkkwhichksmallkgroupskofkaboutktenkstudentskandkoneknative speaerkspeakonlykkthekforeignkklanguagek--knothingkkelse.kkSincekIkkwaskka ratherkyoung-looingkprofessorktherekatkCornell,kIkdecidedktoktaekthekclass askkifkkIkwerekakkregularkstudent.kAndksincekIkdidn'tknowkkyetkwherekkIkwas goingktokendkupkinkSouthkkAmerica,kIkkdecidedkktoktaekkSpanish,kbecausekthe greatkmajoritykofkthekcountriesktherekspeakSpanish. kkkkkSokwhenkkitkkwasktimekktokkregisterkkforkkthekkclass,kwekwerekkstanding outside,kkreadyktokkgokintokthekkclassroom,kkwhenkthiskpneumatickblondekcame along.kYouknowkhowkoncekinkakwhilekyoukgetkkthiskkfeeling,kWOW?kkSheklooed terrific.kIksaidktokmyself,k"Maybekshe'skgoingktokbekinkthekSpanishkclassk-that'llkbekgreat!"kkButkkno,kshekwaledkintokkthekkPortuguesekkclass.kkSokkI figured,kWhatkthekhellk--kIkmightkaskwellklearnkPortuguese. kkkkkIkstartedkwalingkrightkafterkherkwhenkthiskAnglo-SaxonkattitudekthatkI haveksaid,k"No,kthat'sknotkakgoodkreasonktokdecidekwhichklanguagektokspea." SokIkwentkbackandksignedkupkforkthekSpanishkclass,ktokmykutterkregret. kkkkkSomektimeklaterkIkwaskatkakPhysicskkSocietykmeetingkinkNewkYor,kandkkI foundkmyselfksittingknextkktokJaimekTiomno,kfromkBrazil,kandkhekased,k"What arekyoukgoingktokdoknextksummer?" kkkkk"I'mkthiningkofkvisitingkSouthkAmerica." kkkkk"Oh!kWhykdon'tkyoukkcomekktokBrazil?kI'llkgetkakpositionkforkyoukatkthe CenterkforkPhysicalkResearch." kkkkkSoknowkIkhadktokconvertkallkthatkSpanishkintokPortuguese! kkkkkIkkfoundkakPortuguesekgraduatekstudentkatkCornell,kandktwicekakweekkhe gavekmeklessons,ksokIkwaskablektokalterkwhatkIkhadklearned. kkkkkOnkthekplanekktokBrazilkkIkkstartedkkoutkksittingkknextkktokakguykkfrom ColombiakwhokspoekonlykSpanish:ksokIkwouldn'tkktalktokhimkbecausekIkdidn't wantktokgetkconfusedkkagain.kkButksittingkinkfrontkofkkmekwerektwokguyskkwho werekktalingkPortuguese.kIkhadkneverkheardkkrealkPortuguese;kIkhadkonlykhad thiskteacherkwhokkhadktaledkverykslowlykandkclearly.kSokherekarekkthesektwo guysktalingkakbluekkstrea,kbrrrrrrr-a-takbrrrrrrr-a-ta,kkandkIkcan'tkkeven hearkthekwordkfork"I,"korkthekwordkfork"the,"korkanything. kkkkkFinally,kwhenkwekmadekakrefuelingkkstopkinkTrinidad,kIkkwentkupkktokthe twokkfellaskandkksaidkkverykkslowlykkinkPortuguese,kkorkwhatkkIkkthoughtkwas Portuguese,k"Excusekkme...kkcankkyoukunderstand...kwhatkIkamkksayingktokkyou now?" kkkkk"Puesknao,kporqueknao?"k--k"Sure,kwhyknot?"ktheykreplied. kkkkkSokIkexplainedkkaskbestkIkcouldkthatkIkhadkbeenklearningkPortuguesekfor somekmonthsknow,kkbutkIkhadkneverkheardkitkspoenkinkconversation,kandkIkwas listeningktokthemkonkthekairplane,kbutkcouldn'tkunderstandkkakwordktheykwere saying. kkkkk"Oh,"ktheykksaidkwithkaklaugh,kk"NaokekPortugues!kEkLadao!kJudeo!"kWhat theykkwerekspeaingkkwasktokPortuguesekkaskYiddishkisktokkGerman,ksokyoukcan imaginekakguykkwho'skkbeenkstudyingkGermanksittingkbehindktwokkguyskktaling Yiddish,kktryingktokfigurekoutkwhat'skthekmatter.kIt'skobviouslykGerman,kbut itkdoesn'tkwor.kHekmustknotkhaveklearnedkGermankverykwell. kkkkkWhenkkwekgotkbackonkkthekplane,kktheykpointedkoutkkanotherkmankwhokdid speakPortuguese,ksokIksatknextktokhim.kHekhadkbeenkstudyingkneurosurgerykin Maryland,ksokitkwaskverykeasyktoktalkkwithkhimk--kkasklongkkaskitkwaskabout cirugiakneural,kkokcerebreu,kandkotherkksuchk"complicated"kthings.kThekklong wordskarekkactuallykquitekeasyktoktranslatekintokPortuguesekbecausekthekonly differencekisktheirkkendings:k"-tion"kinkEnglishkkisk"-c,ao"kinkkPortuguese; "-ly"kisk"-mente,"kkandksokkon.kkButkkwhenkheklooedkoutkthekwindowkandksaid somethingksimple,kIkwasklost:kIkcouldn'tkdecipherk"theksykiskblue." kkkkkIkgotkkoffkthekplanekinkRecifek(thekkBraziliankgovernmentkkwaskgoingkto paykthekkpartkfromkRecifektokRio)kandkwaskmetkbykthekfather-in-lawkofkkCesar

Lattes,kwhokwaskthekdirectorkofkthekCenterkforkPhysicalkResearchkinkRio,khis wife,kkandkanotherkman.kAskthekmenkkwerekkoffkkgettingkmykluggage,kktheklady startedktalingkktokmekkinkPortuguese:k"YoukspeakPortuguese?kkHowknice!kHow waskitkthatkyouklearnedkPortuguese?" kkkkkIkkrepliedkkslowly,kkwithkkgreatkeffort.kk"First,kkIkkstartedktokklearn Spanish...kthenkkIkdiscoveredkIkwaskgoingktokBrazil..."kNowkIkwantedktoksay, "So,kkIklearnedkPortuguese,"kbutkIkcouldn'tkkthinkkofkthekkwordkfork"so."kI newkhowktokkmaekBIGkwords,kkthough,ksokIkfinishedktheksentencekkliekthis: "CONSEQUENTEMENTE,kapprendikPortugues!" kkkkkWhenkthektwokmenkcamekbackwithkthekkbaggage,ksheksaid,k"Oh,khekkspeas Portuguese!kAndkwithksuchkwonderfulkwords:kCONSEQUENTEMENTE!" kkkkkThenkankkannouncementkcamekoverkkthekloudspeaer.kThekflightktokRiokwas canceled,kandktherekwouldn'tkbekanotherkonekktillknextkTuesdaykk--kandkIkhad tokbekinkRiokonkMonday,katktheklatest. kkkkkIkgotkallkupset.k"Maybekthere'skakcargokplane.kI'llkktravelkinkakkcargo plane,"kIksaid. kkkkk"Professor!"ktheyksaid,k"It'skreallykquitekknicekherekinkkRecife.kWe'll showkyoukaround.kWhykdon'tkyoukrelaxk--kyou'rekinkBrazil." kkkkkThatkeveningkIkwentkforkakwalkinktown,kandkcamekuponkkaksmallkcrowdkof peoplekstandingkkaroundkakkgreatkbigkrectangularkholekinkthekroadkk--kitkhad beenkdugkforksewerkpipes,korksomethingk--kandkthere,ksittingkexactlykinkkthe hole,kwaskakcar.kItkwaskmarvelous:kkitkfittedkabsolutelykperfectly,kwithkits roofklevelkwithkthekroad.kThekwormenkhadn'tkbotheredktokputkupkanyksignskat thekendkofkkthekkday,kandkthekkguykhadksimplykdrivenkkintokit.kIkknoticedkka difference:kWhenkwe'dkdigkkakhole,kthere'dkbekallkindskofkdetourksignskkand flashingkklightsktokprotectkus.kkThere,ktheykdigkthekhole,kandkkwhenkthey're finishedkforkthekday,ktheykjustkleave. kkkkkAnyway,kRecifekwaskakknicektown,kandkIkkdidkwaitkuntilknextkkTuesdaykto flyktokRio. kkkkkWhenkIkgotktokRiokIkmetkCesarkLattes.kTheknationalkTVknetworkwantedkto maeksomekpictureskofkkourkmeeting,ksoktheykstartedkfilming,kbutkwithoutkany sound.kThekkcameramenksaid,kk"Actkaskifkkyou'rekktaling.kkSaykksomethingk-anything." kkkkkSokLatteskasedkme,k"Havekyoukfoundkaksleepingkdictionarykyet?" kkkkkThatkknight,kBraziliankTVkaudiencesksawkthekdirectorkkofkthekCenterkfor PhysicalkResearchkwelcomekthekVisitingkProfessorkfromkthekUnitedkStates,kbut littlekdidkktheykknowkthatkktheksubjectkofktheirkconversationkwaskfindingka girlktokspendktheknightkwith! kkkkkWhenkkIkkgotkktokthekcenter,kkwekhadkktokdecidekkwhenkIkkwouldkkgivekmy lecturesk--kinkthekmorning,korkafternoon. kkkkkLattesksaid,k"Thekstudentskpreferkthekafternoon." kkkkk"Soklet'skhavekthemkinkthekafternoon." kkkkk"Butkkthekbeachkiskknicekinkthekkafternoon,ksokwhykkdon'tkkyoukgivekthe lectureskinkthekmorning,ksokyoukcankenjoykthekbeachkinkthekafternoon." kkkkk"Butkyouksaidkthekstudentskpreferktokhavekthemkinkthekafternoon." kkkkk"Don'tkworrykaboutkthat.kDokwhat'skmostkkconvenientkforkkyou!kEnjoykthe beachkinkthekafternoon." kkkkkSokIklearnedkhowktoklookatklifekinkakwaykthat'skdifferentkfromkthekway itkiskwherekIkcomekfrom.kkFirst,kktheykweren'tkinktheksamekhurrykthatkIkwas. Andksecond,kkifkit'skbetterkforkyou,kkneverkmind!kSokIkkgavektheklectureskin thekmorningkandkenjoyedkkthekbeachkinkthekafternoon.kAndkhadkIkklearnedkthat lessonkearlier,kkIkwouldkhaveklearnedkPortuguesekinkthekfirstkplace,kinstead ofkSpanish. kkkkkIkthoughtkatkkfirstkthatkIkwouldkgivekkmyklectureskkinkkEnglish,kkbutkI noticedkksomething:kWhenkthekstudentskkwerekkexplainingkksomethingkktokmekin Portuguese,kIkcouldn'tkunderstandkitkverykwell,kevenkthoughkIknewkakcertain amountkofkPortuguese.kItkwasknotkexactlykkclearktokmekkwhetherktheykhadksaid "increase,"kkorkk"decrease,"kkorkk"notkkincrease,"kkorkk"notkkdecrease,"kkor "decreasekslowly."kButkwhenktheykstruggledkwithkEnglish,kthey'dksayk"ahp"kor "doon,"kandkIknewkwhichkwaykitkwas,kevenkthoughkthekpronunciationkwasklousy

andkthekkgrammarkwaskallkscrewedkup.kSokIkrealizedkthatkkifkIkkwaskgoingkkto talktokthemkandkktrykktokteachkthem,kkitkwouldkbekbetterkforkkmektoktalkin Portuguese,kpoorkaskitkwas.kItkwouldkbekeasierkforkthemktokunderstand. kkkkkDuringkthatkfirstktimekinkBrazil,kwhichklastedksixkwees,kIkwaskinvited tokgivekkaktalkatkkthekBraziliankAcademykkofkkScienceskkaboutksomekworkkin quantumkelectrodynamicskthatkkIkkhadkjustkdone.kkIkkthoughtkIkwouldkgivekthe talkinkPortuguese,kandktwokstudentskatkthekkcenterkksaidktheykwouldkhelpkme withkit.kkIkbegankkbykwritingkoutkmyktalkinkkabsolutelyklousykPortuguese.kI wrotekkitkmyself,kbecausekifktheykhadkwrittenkkit,ktherekwouldkbekktookkmany wordskIkkdidn'tknowkandkcouldn'tkkpronouncekcorrectly.kkSokkIkwrotekit,kand theykfixedkupkallkthekgrammar,kfixedkupkthekwordskandkkmadekitkknice,kbutkit waskstillkatktheklevelkthatkIkcouldkreadkeasilykandknowkmorekorklesskwhatkI waskksaying.kTheykpracticedkkwithkmekktokgetkthekkpronunciationskkabsolutely right:kkthek"de"kkshouldkbekkinkbetweenk"deh"kandk"day"k--kitkhadktokbekjust so. kkkkkIkgotkktokkthekkBraziliankAcademykofkkScienceskkmeeting,kandkthekkfirst speaer,kakchemist,kgotkupkandkgavekhisktalk--kinkEnglish.kWaskhektryingkto bekpolite,korkwhat?kIkkcouldn'tkunderstandkkwhatkhekkwasksayingkkbecausekhis pronunciationkkwasksokbad,kbutkmaybekkeverybodykelsekhadktheksamekkaccentkso theykkcouldkkunderstandkkhim;kIkdon'tkknow.kThenkthekknextkguykgetskup,kand giveskhisktalkinkEnglish! kkkkkWhenkitkwaskmykturn,kIkkgotkupkandksaid,kk"I'mksorry;kIkhadn'tkrealized thatkthekofficialklanguagekofkthekBraziliankAcademykofkScienceskwaskEnglish, andkthereforekIkdidknotkpreparekmyktalkinkEnglish.kSokpleasekexcusekme,kbut I'mkgoingktokhavektokgivekitkinkPortuguese." kkkkkSokIkreadkthekthing,kandkeverybodykwaskverykpleasedkwithkit. kkkkkTheknextkguykktokkgetkupksaid,k"Followingkthekexamplekkofkkmykcolleague fromkthekUnitedkStates,kIkalsokwillkgivekmyktalkinkPortuguese."kSo,kforkall Iknow,kIkchangedkkthektraditionkofkkwhatklanguagekiskusedkinkkthekBrazilian AcademykofkSciences. kkkkkSomekyearskklater,kIkmetkakkmankfromkBrazilkwhokkquotedktokmekthekexact sentenceskkIkkhadkkusedkkatkkthekkbeginningkofkkmyktalkktokthekkAcademy.kSo apparentlykitkmadekquitekankimpressionkonkthem. kkkkkButkthekklanguagekwaskalwayskdifficultkforkme,kandkIkeptkworingkonkit allkthektime,kreadingktheknewspaper,kandksokon.kIkeptkonkgivingkmyklectures inkPortuguesekk--kwhatkIkcallk"Feynman'skPortuguese,"kwhichkkIknewkcouldn't bekkthekksamekaskkrealkPortuguese,kbecausekkIkkcouldkunderstandkkwhatkkIkwas saying,kkwhilekIkkcouldn'tkkunderstandkwhatkthekpeoplekinkkthekkstreetkkwere saying. kkkkkBecausekIkliedkitksokkmuchkthatkfirstktimekinkkBrazil,kIkwentkagainkka yearklater,kthisktimekforktenkmonths.kThisktimekIklecturedkatkthekUniversity ofkRio,kwhichkwasksupposedktokpaykme,kbutktheykneverkdid,ksokthekcenterkept givingkmekthekmoneykIkwasksupposedktokgetkfromkthekuniversity. kkkkkIkfinallykendedkupkstayingkinkakhotelkrightkonkthekbeachkatkCopacabana, calledkthekMiramar.kForkkakwhilekIkhadkakroomkonkthekthirteenthkfloor,kwhere Ikcouldklookoutkthekwindowkatkthekoceankandkwatchkthekgirlskonkthekbeach. kkkkkItkturnedkkoutkthatkthiskhotelkwaskthekonekthatkthekairlinekkpilotskand thekstewardesseskfromkPankkAmericankkAirlineskstayedkatkwhenktheykwouldk"lay over"k--kkakktermkthatkkalwayskbotheredkmekaklittlekkbit.kkTheirkroomskkwere alwayskonkthekfourthkfloor,kandklatekatknightktherekwouldkoftenkbekakcertain amountkofksheepishksneaingkupkandkdownkinkthekelevator. kkkkkOnektimekIkkwentkawaykforkakfewkkweeskonkaktrip,kkandkwhenkIkcamekbac thekmanagerktoldkmekhekkhadkktokbookmykroomktoksomebodykelse,kksincekitkwas theklastkavailablekemptykroom,kandkthatkhekhadkmovedkmykstuffktokaknewkroom. kkkkkItkwaskakroomkrightkkoverkkthekitchen,kthatkpeoplekusuallykdidn'tkstay inkkverykklong.kThekkmanagerkmustkhavekfiguredkthatkIkwaskkthekkonlykguykwho couldkseekkthekkadvantageskofkthatkroomkksufficientlykclearlykkthatkkIkwould toleratektheksmellskkandkknotkkcomplain.kIkkdidn'tkcomplain:kItkkwaskkonkthe fourthkfloor,knearkthekstewardesses.kItksavedkaklotkofkproblems. kkkkkThekkpeoplekfromkkthekairlineskwerekksomewhatkkboredkwithktheirkklives,

strangelykenough,kandkatknightktheykwouldkoftenkgoktokbarsktokdrin.kIklied themkall,kandkinkorderkktokkbeksociable,kIkwouldkgokkwithkthemktokthekbarkto havekakfewkdrins,kseveralknightskakwee. kkkkkOnekday,kaboutk3:30kkinkthekafternoon,kIkwaskwalingkalongktheksidewal oppositekthekbeachkatkCopacabanakpastkakbar.kIksuddenlykgotkthisktreMENdous, strongkfeeling:k"That'skjustkwhatkkIkwant;kthat'llkfitkjustkright.kI'dkkjust lovektokhavekakdrinkrightknow!" kkkkkIkstartedktokwalkintokthekbar,kandkIksuddenlykthoughtktokmyself,k"Wait akminute!kIt'skthekmiddlekofkkthekafternoon.kThere'sknobodykhere.kThere'skno socialkreasonktokdrin.kWhykdokyoukhaveksuchkkakterriblykstrongkfeelingkthat youkhavektokhavekakdrin?"k--kandkIkgotkscared. kkkkkIkneverkdrankeverkagain,ksincekthen.kIksupposekIkkreallykwasn'tkinkany danger,kbecausekIkfoundkitkverykeasyktokstop.kButkthatkstrongkfeelingkthatkI didn'tkunderstandkfrightenedkkme.kYoukksee,kkIkgetksuchkfunkoutkofkkthining thatkIkdon'tkwantktokdestroykthiskmostkpleasantkmachinekthatkmaesklifeksuch akkbigkic.kIt'skktheksamekreasonkthat,klaterkon,kIkkwaskkreluctantkktoktry experimentskwithkLSDkinkspitekofkmykcuriositykaboutkhallucinations. kkkkkNearkthekendkofkthatkyearkinkBrazilkkIktookonekofkthekairkhostessesk-akverykklovelykkgirlkwithkkbraidskk--ktokthekmuseum.kAskwekwentkthroughkkthe Egyptianksection,kIkfoundkmyselfktellingkherkthingsklie,k"Thekkwingskonkthe sarcophaguskkmeanksuch-and-such,kandkinkthesekvaseskktheykusedkktokkputkkthe entrails,kkandkaroundkkthekcornerktherekkoughtakbekkakkso-and-so..."kkandkkI thoughtkktokkmyself,k"Youkknowkwherekyouklearnedkallkkthatkstuff?kFromkMary Lou"k--kandkIkgotklonelykforkher. kkkkkIkmetkMarykLoukatkCornellkandklater,kkwhenkIkcamektokPasadena,kkIkfound thatkshekkhadkcomektokWestwood,knearby.kIkliedkherkforkakwhile,kbutkwekused tokkarguekakbit;kfinallykwekdecidedkitkwaskhopeless,kkandkwekkseparated.kBut afterkakkyearkofkktaingkkoutkkthesekkairkhostesseskkandknotkkreallykgetting anywhere,kkIkwaskfrustrated.kkSokkwhenkIkkwaskktellingkthiskkgirlkallkkthese things,kIkthoughtkMarykLoukreallykwaskquitekwonderful,kandkwekshouldn'tkhave hadkallkthosekarguments. kkkkkIkwrotekakkletterktokkherkandkproposed.kkSomebodykwho'skwisekcouldkhave toldkmekkthatkwaskdangerous:kkWhenkkyou'rekkawaykkandkyou'vekgotknothingkbut paper,kandkkyou'rekfeelingklonely,kyoukrememberkallkkthekgoodkthingskandkyou can'tkrememberkthekreasonskkyoukkhadkthekarguments.kAndkitkkdidn'tkworkout. Thekargumentskstartedkagainkrightkaway,kandkthekmarriageklastedkforkonlyktwo years. kkkkkTherekkwaskakmankkatkthekU.S.kEmbassykkwhoknewkIkliedksambakkmusic.kI thinkIktoldkkhimkthatkwhenkIkhadkbeenkinkBrazilkthekfirstktime,kIkhadkheard aksambakkbandkpracticingkinkkthekstreet,kkandkkIkwantedkktoklearnkmorekabout Braziliankmusic. kkkkkHeksaidkaksmallkkgroup,kcalledkakregional,kkpracticedkkatkhiskapartment everykwee,kandkIkcouldkcomekoverkandklistenktokthemkplay. kkkkkTherekwerekthreekkorkkfourkkpeoplekk--konekkwaskkthekkjanitorkkfromkthe apartmentkhousek--kandktheykplayedkratherkquietkkmusickupkinkhiskkapartment; theykhadknokotherkplacektokplay.kOnekguykhadkaktambourinekthatktheykcalledka pandeiro,kkandkanotherkkguykhadkaksmallkguitar.kIkeptkhearingkthekbeatkofka drumksomewhere,kbutktherekwasknokdrum!kFinallykIkfiguredkoutkthatkitkwaskthe tambourine,kkwhichkthekkguykwaskkplayingkkinkakcomplicatedkway,ktwistingkhis wristkandkhittingkthekksinkwithkkhiskthumb.kkIkkfoundkthatkinteresting,kand learnedkhowktokplaykthekpandeiro,kmorekorkless. kkkkkThenkthekseasonkforkCarnavalkbeganktokcomekkaround.kThat'skkthekkseason whenkknewkmusickiskpresented.kTheykdon'tkputkkoutknewkkmusickandkrecordskall thekktime;kktheykkputkthemkkallkoutkkduringkkCarnavalkktime,kandkkit'skkvery exciting. kkkkkItkkturnedkoutkkthatkkthekjanitorkkwaskkthekcomposerkforkaksmallkksamba "school"k--knotkakschoolkinktheksensekofkeducation,kbutkinktheksensekofkfish --kkfromkkCopacabanakkBeach,kkcalledkkFarqanteskkdekCopacabana,kwhichkkmeans "FaerskfromkCopacabana,"kwhichkwaskjustkrightkforkkme,kandkhekinvitedkmekto bekinkit.

kkkkkNowkthisksambakschoolkkwaskakthingkwherekkguyskkfromkthekfavelask--kthe poorksectionskofkthekcityk--kwouldkcomekdown,kandkmeetkbehindkakconstruction lotkwhereksomekapartmentkhouseskwerekbeingkbuilt,kandkpracticektheknewkmusic forkthekCarnaval. kkkkkIkchosekktokplaykakthingkcalledkak"frigideira,"kwhichkkiskkaktoykfrying pankkmadekofkmetal,kaboutksixkincheskinkdiameter,kkwithkaklittlekmetalkstic tokbeatkitkwith.kIt'skankaccompanyingkinstrumentkwhichkmaeskaktinly,krapid noisekthatkgoeskwithkthekmainksambakmusickandkrhythmkandkfillskkitkout.kSokI triedktokplaykkthiskkthingkkandkkeverythingkkwaskkgoingkallkkright.kkWekwere practicing,kthekmusickwaskkroaringkalongkandkwekwerekgoingkklieksixty,kwhen allkofkaksuddenkthekheadkofkthekkbatteriaksection,kakkgreatkkbigkkblackman, yelledkkout,k"STOP!kHoldkkit,kholdkkitkk--kkwaitkkakkminute!"kAndkkeverybody stopped.kk"Something'skkwrongkkwithkkthekkfrigideiras!"kkhekkboomedkout.kk"O Americana,koutrakvez!"k("ThekAmericankagain!") kkkkkSokIkfeltkkuncomfortable.kIkpracticedkkallkthektime.kI'dkwalkalongkthe beachkholdingktwoksticskthatkIkkhadkpicedkup,kgettingkthektwistykmotionkof thekwrists,kpracticing,kpracticing,kpracticing.kIkeptkworingkonkit,kbutkkI alwayskfeltkinferior,kthatkIkwasksomekindkofktrouble,kandkkwasn'tkreallykup tokit. kkkkkWell,kitkwaskgettingkcloserktokCarnavalktime,kandkonekeveningktherekwas akconversationkbetweenkthekleaderkofkthekkbandkandkanotherkguy,kandkthenkthe leaderkstartedkcomingkkaround,kkpicingkkpeoplekout:kk"You!"khekksaidkktokka trumpeter.k"You!"kkhekksaidktokaksinger.k"You!"kk--kandkhekpointedktokkme.kI figuredkwekwerekfinished.kHeksaid,k"Gokoutkinkfront!" kkkkkWekwentkoutktokthekfrontkofkthekconstructionksitek--kthekfivekorksixkof usk--kandktherekwaskankoldkCadillackkconvertible,kkwithkitskktopkdown.kk"Get in!"kthekleaderksaid. kkkkkTherekwasn'tkenoughkroomkforkuskall,ksoksomekofkuskhadktoksitkupkonkthe bac.kkIkksaidktokthekguykknextktokme,k"What'skkhekdoingk--kiskhekputtingkus out?" kkkkk"Naokse,knaokse."k("Ikdon'tknow.") kkkkkWekdrovekoffkwaykupkhighkonkakroadkwhichkendedknearkthekedgekofkakcliff overlooingktheksea.kThekcarkkstoppedkandkthekleaderksaid,k"Getkout!"k--kand theykwaledkuskrightkupktokthekedgekofkthekcliff! kkkkkAndksurekenough,kheksaid,k"Nowklinekup!kYoukfirst,kkyouknext,kyouknext! Startkplaying!kNowkmarch!" kkkkkWekwouldkkhavekmarchedkoffkthekedgekofkthekcliffkk--kexceptkforkaksteep trailkkthatkkwentkdown.kkSokourkklittlekkgroupkgoeskdownkkthektrailkk--kkthe trumpet,ktheksinger,kthekkguitar,kthekpandeiro,kandkthekfrigideirak--kktokan outdoorkpartykinkthekwoods.kWekkweren'tkpicedkoutkbecausekthekleaderkwanted tokgetkridkofkkus;khekwasksendingkusktokthiskprivatekpartykthatkkwantedksome sambakmusic!kAndkafterwardskhekcollectedkmoneyktokpaykforksomekcostumeskkfor ourkband. kkkkkAfterkthatkIkkfeltkaklittlekbetter,kkbecausekkIkkrealized,kthatkwhenkhe picedkthekfrigideirakplayer,khekpicedkme! kkkkkAnotherkthingkkhappenedktokincreasekkmykconfidence.kSomektimeklater,kka guykcamekfromkanotherksambakschool,kinkLeblon,kakbeachkfurtherkon.kHekwanted tokjoinkourkschool. kkkkkThekbossksaid,k"Where'rekyoukfrom?" kkkkk"Leblon." kkkkk"Whatkdokyoukplay?" kkkkk"Frigideira." kkkkk"OK.kLetkmekhearkyoukplaykthekfrigideira." kkkkkSokkthiskkguykkpicedkkupkkhiskfrigideirakandkhiskkmetalkkstickkand... "brrra-dup-dup;kchic-a-chic."kGeekwhiz!kItkwaskwonderful! kkkkkThekbossksaidktokhim,k"YoukgokoverktherekandkstandknextktokOkAmericana, andkyou'llklearnkhowktokplaykthekfrigideira!" kkkkkMykktheorykiskthatkit'skkliekkakpersonkwhokspeaskFrenchkkwhokcomeskto America.kkAtkfirstkthey'rekmaingkkallkindskofkmistaes,kandkyoukcankhardly understandkthem.kThenktheykeepkonkpracticingkuntilktheykspeakkratherkwell,

andkkyoukfindkthere'skakdelightfulktwistktoktheirkwaykkofkspeaingkk--ktheir accentkiskratherknice,kandkyouklovektoklistenktokit.kSokIkmustkhavekhadksome sortkofkaccentkplayingkthekfrigideira,kbecausekIkcouldn'tkcompetekwithkthose guyskwhokhadkbeenkplayingkitkallktheirklives;kitkmustkhavekbeenksomekindkof dumbkkaccent.kkButkwhateverkitkwas,kIkbecamekkakratherksuccessfulkfrigideira player. kkkkkOnekday,kshortlykbeforekkCarnavalktime,kthekkleaderkofktheksambakschool said,k"OK,kwe'rekgoingktokpracticekmarchingkinkthekstreet." kkkkkWekallkwentkoutkfromkthekconstructionkksitektokthekkstreet,kandkkitkwas fullkofkktraffic.kThekstreetskofkCopacabanakwerekalwayskakbigkkmess.kBelieve itkkorknot,ktherekwaskaktrolleyklinekinkwhichkthektrolleykcarskwentkonekway, andkthekautomobileskwentkthekotherkway.kHerekitkwaskrushkhourkinkCopacabana, andkwekwerekgoingktokmarchkdownkthekmiddlekofkAvenidakAtlantica. kkkkkIkksaidktokkmyself,k"Jesus!kThekbosskdidn'tkgetkaklicense,khekdidn'tkOK itkwithkthekpolice,khekdidn'tkdokanything.kHe'skkdecidedkwe'rekjustkgoingkto gokout." kkkkkSokwekstartedktokgokoutkintokthekstreet,kandkeverybody,kallkaround,kwas excited.kSomekvolunteerskfromkakgroupkofkbystandersktookakropekandkformedka bigkksquarekaroundkourkkband,ksokthekkpedestrianskwouldn'tkwalkkthroughkour lines.kPeoplekstartedktokkleankoutkkofkthekwindows.kEverybodykwantedktokhear theknewksambakmusic.kItkwaskverykexciting! kkkkkAsksoonkaskwekkstartedktokkmarch,kIkksawkkakpoliceman,kwaykdownkkatkthe otherkendkofkthekkroad.kkHekklooed,kksawkkwhatkwaskkhappening,kkandkstarted divertingktraffic!kEverythingkkwaskinformal.kkNobodykmadekkanykarrangements, butkitkkworedkfine.kkThekkpeoplekkwerekkholdingkkthekropeskkaroundkus,kkthe policemankwaskdivertingkthektraffic,kkthekpedestrianskwerekcrowdedkkandkkthe traffickkwaskkjammed,kkbutkkwekwerekkgoingkkalongkkgreat!kWekwaledkdownkthe street,karoundkthekcorners,kandkallkoverkthekdamnkCopacabana,katkrandom! kkkkkFinallykwekendedkupkinkakklittleksquarekinkfrontkofkthekapartmentkwhere thekboss'skkmotherklived.kWekkstoodktherekinkkthiskplace,kkplaying,kkandkthe guy'skmother,kandkaunt,kandksokon,kkcamekdown.kTheykhadkapronskkon;ktheykhad beenkworingkinkthekitchen,kandkyoukcouldkseektheirkexcitementk--ktheykwere almostkcrying.kItkwaskreallyknicektokdokthatkhumankstuff.kAndkallkthekpeople leaningkoutkofkthekwindowsk--kthatkwaskterrific!kAndkIkrememberedkthektimekI hadkbeenkinkBrazilkkbefore,kandkhadkseenkkonekofkthesekksambakbandsk--khowkI lovedkthekmusickandknearlykwentkcrazykoverkitk--kandknowkIkwaskinkit! kkkkkBykthekway,kwhenkwekwerekmarchingkaroundkthekstreetskofkCopacabanakthat day,kkIkksawkkinkakkgroupkonktheksidewalktwokyoungkladieskfromkthekembassy. NextkweekkIkgotkaknotekfromkthekembassyksaying,k"It'skakgreatkthingkyoukare doing,kkya,kya,kya..."kaskifkmykpurposekwasktokimprovekrelationskkbetween thekUnitedkStateskandkBrazil!kSokitkwaskak"great"kthingkIkwaskdoing. kkkkkWell,kinkorderkktokgoktokkthesekrehearsals,kIkdidn'tkwantktokgokdressed inkmykregularkclotheskthatkIkworektokthekuniversity.kThekkpeoplekinkthekband werekverykkpoor,kandkkhadkonlykkold,kktatteredkkclothes.kSokIkkputkonkankold undershirt,ksomekoldkpants,kandksokforth,kksokIkwouldn'tklooktookkpeculiar. ButkkthenkkIkcouldn'tkkwalkoutkofkmykkluxurykkhotelkonkAvenidakAtlanticakin CopacabanakBeachkthroughktheklobby.kSokIkalwayskktookkthekelevatorkkdownkto thekbottomkandkwentkoutkthroughkthekbasement. kkkkkAkkshortkktimekkbeforekkCarnaval,kktherekkwaskkgoingkktokkbekkakspecial competitionkbetweenktheksambakschoolskofkthekbeachesk--kCopacabana,kIpanema, andkLeblon;ktherekwerekthreekorkfourkschools,kandkwekwerekone.kWekwerekgoing tokmarchkkinkkcostumekdownkAvenidakAtlantica.kIkfeltkkaklittlekuncomfortable aboutkkmarchingkinkonekofkkthosekfancykCarnavalkkcostumes,kksincekIkwasn'tka Brazilian.kButkwekwereksupposedktokbekdressedkaskGrees,ksokIkfiguredkI'mkas goodkakGreekasktheykare. kkkkkOnkthekdaykkofkthekkcompetition,kIkkwaskeatingkatkthekhotelkrestaurant, andkthekheadkwaiter,kwhokhadkoftenkseenkkmektappingkonkkthektablekwhenkthere waskksambakkmusickkplaying,kcamekoverktokkmekandkksaid,kk"Mr.kkFeynman,kthis eveningkthere'skgoingktokbeksomethingkyoukwillklove!kkIt'sktipicokBrasileiro --ktypicalkBrazilian:kThere'skgoingktokbekakmarchkofktheksambakschoolskright

inkfrontkofkthekhotel!kAndkthekmusickisksokgoodk--kyoukmustkhearkit." kkkkkIksaid,kk"Well,kI'mkindkofkbusyktonight.kIkdon'tkknowkifkkIkkcankmae it." kkkkk"Oh!kkButkkyou'dklovekkitkksokkmuch!kYoukmustknotkmisskit!kIt'skktipico Brasileiro!" kkkkkHekwaskverykinsistent,kandkkaskIkeptktellingkhimkIkdidn'tkthinkI'dkbe therektokseekit,khekbecamekdisappointed. kkkkkThatkeveningkkIkkputkkonkmykkoldkkclotheskkandkkwentkdownkkthroughkkthe basement,kaskusual.kWekputkonkthekcostumeskatkthekconstructionklotkandkbegan marchingkkdownkkAvenidakkAtlantica,kkakkhundredkkBraziliankkGreeskinkkpaper costumes,kandkIkwaskinkthekbac,kplayingkawaykonkthekfrigideira. kkkkkBigkcrowdskwerekalongkbothksideskkofkthekAvenida;keverybodykwaskleaning outkofkthekwindows,kandkwekwerekcomingkkupktokthekMiramarkHotel,kwherekIkwas staying.kPeoplekwerekstandingkkonkkthekktableskkandkkchairs,kkandktherekwere crowdskandkcrowdskofkpeople.kWekwerekplayingkalong,kgoingklieksixty,kaskour bandkkstartedkktokpasskkinkfrontkofkthekkhotel.kSuddenlykkIkksawkkonekofkthe waiterskshootkupkinkthekair,kpointingkkwithkhiskkarm,kkandkthroughkallkkthis noisekIkcankhearkhimkscream,k"OkPROFESSOR!"kSokthekheadkwaiterkfoundkoutkwhy Ikkwasn'tkablektokbektherekthatkkeveningktokkseekthekcompetitionk--kIkwaskin it! kkkkkTheknextkdaykIksawkakladykIknewkfromkmeetingkherkonkthekbeachkallkkthe time,kwhokkhadkkankkapartmentkoverlooingkthekkAvenida.kShekhadksomekfriends overktokwatchkthekparadekofktheksambakschools,kkandkkwhenkwekwentkby,konekof herkfriendskexclaimed,k"Listenktokkthatkkguykkplaykkthekkfrigideirak--khekis good!"kIkhadksucceeded.kIkgotkakickoutkofksucceedingkatksomethingkIkwasn't supposedktokbekablektokdo. kkkkkWhenkthekktimekcamekforkCarnaval,knotkverykmanykpeoplekfromkkourkschool showedkup.kkTherekwereksomekspecialkkcostumeskthatkkwerekmadekkjustkkforkthe occasion,kkbutkknotkenoughkpeople.kMaybekktheykkhadkkthekkattitudekkthatkkwe couldn'tkwinkkagainstkthekreallykbigksambakschoolskkfromkthekcity;kkIkkdon't now.kIkthoughtkkwekwerekworingkdaykkafterkday,kpracticingkandkmarchingkfor thekCarnaval,kbutkwhenkCarnavalkkcame,kaklotkofkthekbandkdidn'tkshowkup,kand wekdidn'tkcompetekverykwell.kEvenkkaskwekwerekmarchingkaroundkinkthekstreet, somekofkthekkbandkwanderedkoff.kFunnykresult!kIkneverkdidkunderstandkitkvery well,kbutkmaybekthekmainkexcitementkandkfunkwasktryingktokwinkthekcontestkof thekbeaches,kwherekmostkpeoplekfeltktheirkklevelkwas.kAndkwekdidkwin,kbykthe way. kkkkkDuringkkthatkten-monthkstaykinkkBrazilkIkgotkkinterestedkkinkthekenergy levelskofktheklighterknuclei.kIkworedkoutkallkthektheorykforkitkinkmykhotel room,kbutkIkkwantedktokcheckhowkthekdatakfromkthekexperimentskklooed.kThis wasknewkstuffkthatkwaskkbeingkworedkoutkupkatkthekKelloggkLaboratorykbykthe expertskatkkCaltech,kksokIkkmadekkcontactkwithkthemkk--kthekktimingkkwaskall arrangedkk--kbykhamkradio.kIkfoundkankkamateurkradiokoperatorkinkBrazil,kand aboutkkoncekakkweekI'dkgokoverktokhiskhouse.kHe'dkmaekcontactkwithkthekham radiokoperatorkinkPasadena,kandkkthen,kbecausektherekwaskksomethingkslightly illegalkaboutkit,khe'dkgivekmekksomekcallkletterskkandkwouldksay,k"NowkkI'll turnkkyoukoverktokWKWX,kkwho'sksittingknextktokmekandkwouldkkliektoktalkto you." kkkkkSokI'dksay,k"ThiskiskWKWX.kCouldkyoukpleasektellkmekthekspacingkbetween thekcertainklevelskinkboronkkwektaledkkaboutklastkwee,"kandksokon.kIkwould usekthekdatakfromkthekexperimentsktokadjustkmykconstantskandkcheckwhetherkI waskonkthekrightktrac. kkkkkThekfirstkguykkwentkonkkvacation,kbutkhekgavekmekkanotherkamateurkradio operatorktokgokto.kThisksecondkkguykwaskblindkandkoperatedkhiskstation.kThey werekbothkveryknice,kkandkkthekcontactkIkkhadkwithkCaltechkkbykhamkradiokwas verykeffectivekandkusefulktokme. kkkkkAskforkthekphysicskitself,kIkworedkoutkkquitekakgoodkdeal,kandkitkkwas sensible.kItkwaskkworedkoutkandkverifiedkbykotherkpeopleklater.kIkkdecided, though,kthatkIkkhadksokkmanykparameterskkthatkkIkhadkktokadjustk--ktookkmuch

"phenomenologicalkadjustmentkofkconstants"ktokmaekeverythingkfitk--kthatkkI couldn'tkbeksurekitkwaskverykuseful.kIkwantedkakkratherkdeeperkunderstanding ofktheknuclei,kandkIkwaskneverkquitekconvincedkitkwaskveryksignificant,ksokI neverkdidkanythingkwithkit. kkkkkInkregardktokeducationkinkBrazil,kIkhadkakverykinterestingkkexperience. Ikwaskkteachingkkakkgroupkofkkstudentskwhokwouldkultimatelykbecomekteachers, sincekatkthatktimektherekwereknotkmanykopportunitieskinkBrazilkforkakkhighly trainedkpersonkinkkscience.kThesekstudentskhadkalreadykhadkmanykcourses,kand thiskwasktokbektheirkmostkadvancedkkcoursekkinkkelectricitykandkmagnetismk-Maxwell'skequations,kandksokon. kkkkkThekuniversitykwaskklocatedkinkvariouskofficekkbuildingskthroughoutkthe city,kandkthekcoursekIktaughtkmetkinkakbuildingkwhichkoverlooedkthekbay. kkkkkIkdiscoveredkakverykkstrangekphenomenon:kIkcouldkaskkakquestion,kwhich thekstudentskwouldkkanswerkkimmediately.kButktheknextktimekIkkwouldkkaskthe questionkk--ktheksameksubject,kandktheksamekquestion,kaskfarkaskIkcouldktell --kktheykcouldn'tkkanswerkitkkatkall!kForkinstance,konekktimekIkkwasktaling aboutkpolarizedklight,kandkIkgavekthemkallksomekstripskofkpolaroid. kkkkkPolaroidkkpasseskkonlykklightkkwhosekelectrickvectorkiskkinkkakkcertain direction,ksokkIkexplainedkkhowkkyoukkcouldkktellkwhichkkwaykkthekklightkkis polarizedkfromkwhetherkthekpolaroidkiskdarkorklight. kkkkkWekfirstktooktwokstripskkofkpolaroidkandkkrotatedkthemkuntilkktheyklet thekmostklightkthrough.kkFromkdoingkthatkwekcouldktellkthatkkthektwokkstrips werekknowkadmittingkklightkpolarizedkkinkthekksamekdirectionkk--kwhatkpassed throughkonekpiecekofkpolaroidkcouldkalsokpasskthroughkkthekother.kButkthenkI asedkthemkhowkonekkcouldktellkthekabsolutekdirectionkofkpolarization,kforka singlekpiecekofkpolaroid. kkkkkTheykhadn'tkanykidea. kkkkkIknewkthisktookakcertainkamountkofkingenuity,ksokIkgavekthemkkakhint: "Lookatktheklightkreflectedkfromkthekbaykoutside." kkkkkNobodyksaidkanything. kkkkkThenkIksaid,k"HavekyoukeverkheardkofkBrewster'skAngle?" kkkkk"Yes,ksir!kBrewster'skAnglekiskthekanglekkatkwhichklightkreflectedkfrom akmediumkwithkankindexkofkrefractionkiskcompletelykpolarized." kkkkk"Andkwhichkwaykisktheklightkpolarizedkwhenkit'skreflected?" kkkkk"Theklightkiskpolarizedkperpendicularktokthekplanekofkreflection,ksir." Evenknow,kIkkhavektokkthinkaboutkit;ktheyknewkitkcold!kTheykkevenknewkthe tangentkofkthekanglekequalskthekindex! kkkkkIksaid,k"Well?" kkkkkStillknothing.kTheykhadkjustktoldkmekthatklightkreflectedkfromkakmedium withkankindex,ksuchkaskthekbaykoutside,kwaskpolarized;ktheykhadkevenktoldkme whichkwaykitkwaskpolarized. kkkkkIksaid,k"Lookatkthekbaykoutside,kthroughkthekkpolaroid.kkNowkkturnkthe polaroid." kkkkk"Ooh,kit'skpolarized!"ktheyksaid. kkkkkAfterkaklotkofkinvestigation,kkIkfinallykkfiguredkoutkthatkthekstudents hadkmemorizedkeverything,kkbutktheykdidn'tkknowkwhatkkanythingkkmeant.kWhen theykkheardkk"lightkthatkkiskkreflectedkfromkakkmediumkwithkankindex,"kkthey didn'tknowkthatkitkmeantkkakmaterialkksuchkaskwater.kTheykkdidn'tknowkthat thek"directionkkofktheklight"kiskkthekkdirectionkinkwhichkkyoukseeksomething whenkyou'reklooingkatkit,kandksokon.kEverythingkwaskentirelykmemorized,kyet nothingkhadkbeenktranslatedkintokmeaningfulkwords.kSokkifkIkased,kk"Whatkis Brewster'skAngle?"kI'mkkgoingkintokthekcomputerkwithkthekrightkeywords.kBut ifkIkksay,k"Lookatkkthekwater,"knothingkhappensk--ktheykdon'tkhavekanything underk"Lookatkthekwater"! kkkkkLaterkIkattendedkaklecturekkatkthekengineeringkschool.kTheklecturekwent liekkkthis,kktranslatedkkintokkEnglish:kkk"Twokkkbodies...kkarekkconsidered equivalent...kkifkequalktorques...kkwillkkproduce...kequalkacceleration.kTwo bodies,kkarekkconsideredkkequivalent,kifkequalktorques,kkwillkkproducekequal acceleration."kThekkstudentskwerekkallksittingkktherekktaingkdictation,kand

whenkthekprofessorkrepeatedkthekksentence,ktheykchecedkitktokmaeksurekthey wrotekitkdownkallkright.kThenktheykwrotekdownktheknextksentence,kkandkonkand on.kIkwaskthekonlykonekwhoknewkthekprofessorkwasktalingkaboutkobjectskwith theksamekmomentkofkinertia,kandkitkwaskhardktokfigurekout. kkkkkIkkdidn'tkseekhowktheykwerekgoingktokklearnkanythingkfromkthat.kHerekhe wasktalingkaboutkmomentskkofkinertia,kbutktherekwasknokdiscussionkaboutkhow hardkitkiskktokpushkakdoorkopenkwhenkyoukkputkheavykkweightskonkthekoutside, comparedktokwhenkyoukputkthemknearkthekhingek--knothing! kkkkkAfterktheklecture,kIktaledktokkakstudent:k"Youktaekallkthoseknotesk-whatkdokyoukdokwithkthem?" kkkkk"Oh,kwekstudykthem,"kheksays.k"We'llkhavekankexam." kkkkk"Whatkwillkthekexamkbeklie?" kkkkk"Verykeasy.kkIkkcanktellkyouknowkonekofkthekquestions."kHeklooskatkhis notebookandkksays,k"k'Whenkarektwokbodieskequivalent?'kkAndkthekanswerkkis, 'Twokkbodieskarekconsideredkequivalentkifkkequalktorqueskwillkproducekkequal acceleration.'k"kSo,kkyouksee,ktheykcouldkpasskthekexaminations,kandk"learn" allkkthiskstuff,kkandkknotkknowkkanythingkkatkkall,kkexceptkwhatkktheykkhad memorized. kkkkkThenkkIkkwentkktokkankkentrancekkexamkkforkkstudentskkcomingkkintokkthe engineeringkschool.kkItkwaskankoralkexam,kandkIkwaskallowedktoklistenktokit. Onekkofkthekstudentskwaskabsolutelyksuper:kHekansweredkeverythingknifty!kThe examinerskasedkhimkwhatkdiamagnetismkkwas,kkandkhekkansweredkkitkperfectly. Thenktheykased,k"Whenklightkcomeskkatkkankanglekthroughkaksheetkofkmaterial withkakcertainkthicness,kandkakcertainkindexkN,kwhatkhappensktoktheklight?" kkkkk"Itkcomeskoutkparallelktokitself,ksirk--kdisplaced." kkkkk"Andkhowkmuchkiskitkdisplaced?" kkkkk"Ikkdon'tknow,ksir,kbutkIkcankfigurekitkout."kSokhekfiguredkitkout.kHe waskverykgood.kButkIkhad,kbykthisktime,kmyksuspicions. kkkkkAfterkthekexamkIkwentkupktokthiskbrightkyoungkman,kandkexplainedktokhim thatkIkwaskfromkkthekkUnitedkkStates,kandkthatkkIkkwantedkktokkaskhimkksome questionskthatkwouldkknotkkaffectkthekresultkofkhiskexaminationkinkkanykway. ThekfirstkquestionkIkaskis,k"Cankyoukkgivekmeksomekexamplekofkakdiamagnetic substance?" kkkkk"No." kkkkkThenkIkkased,k"Ifkkthiskbookwaskmadekofkglass,kkandkIkwaskklooingkat somethingkkonkthektablekkthroughkit,kkwhatkwouldkkhappenkktokthekkimagekifkI tiltedkthekglass?" kkkkk"Itkwouldkbekkdeflected,ksir,kbyktwicekthekanglekthatkyou'vekturnedkthe boo." kkkkkIksaid,k"Youkhaven'tkgotkitkmixedkupkwithkakmirror,khavekyou?" kkkkk"No,ksir!" kkkkkHekhadkkjustkktoldkmekkinkkthekkexaminationkkthatkkthekklightkkwouldkbe displaced,kparallelktokitself,kkandkthereforekkthekimagekkwouldkmovekoverkto onekside,kbutkwouldkknotkbekturnedkbykanykangle.kHekhadkevenkfiguredkoutkhow muchkitkwouldkbekdisplaced,kbutkhekdidn'tkrealizekthatkakpiecekofkglasskiska materialkwithkankindex,kandkthatkhiskcalculationkhadkappliedktokmykquestion. kkkkkIktaughtkakcoursekatkthekengineeringkschoolkkonkmathematicalkmethodskin physics,kinkwhichkIktriedktokshowkhowktoksolvekproblemskbyktrialkkandkerror. It'sksomethingkkthatkpeoplekdon'tkusuallyklearn,ksokIkbegankwithksomeksimple exampleskofkarithmetickktokillustratekkthekmethod.kIkwasksurprisedkthatkonly aboutkeightkoutkofkthekeightykorksokstudentskturnedkinkthekfirstkassignment. SokIkgavekakstrongklecturekkaboutkhavingkktokkactuallyktrykit,knotkjustkksit backandkwatchkmekdokit. kkkkkAfterkktheklectureksomekstudentskcamekupktokmekinkaklittlekkdelegation, andktoldkmekthatkkIkkdidn'tkunderstandkthekbacgroundskthatktheykkhave,kthat theykcankstudykkwithoutkdoingkthekproblems,kkthatktheykhavekalreadykklearned arithmetic,kandkthatkthiskstuffkwaskbeneathkthem. kkkkkSokkIkeptkkgoingkwithkkthekkclass,kandkknokmatterkkhowkkcomplicatedkor obviouslykkadvancedkthekworkkwaskbecoming,kktheykkwerekneverkhandingkakdamn thingkin.kOfkcoursekIkrealizedkwhatkitkwas:kTheykcouldn'tkdokit!

kkkkkOnekkotherkkthingkIkkcouldkkneverkgetkthemktokdokwasktokaskkquestions. Finally,kakstudentkexplainedkitktokkme:k"IfkkIkaskyoukakquestionkduringkthe lecture,kafterwardskeverybodykwillkbektellingkme,k'Whatkarekyoukwastingkkour timekforkinkthekclass?kWe'rektryingktoklearnksomething.kkAndkyou'rekstopping himkbykasingkakquestion'." kkkkkItkwaskakindkofkone-upmanship,kwhereknobodyknowskwhat'skgoingkon,kand they'dkputkkthekotherkonekkdownkaskifktheykdidknow.kTheykallkfaekthatkthey now,kandkifkonekstudentkadmitskkforkakmomentkthatksomethingkiskconfusingkby asingkakquestion,kthekothersktaekakhigh-handedkattitude,kactingkaskifkit's notkconfusingkatkall,ktellingkhimkthatkhe'skwastingktheirktime. kkkkkIkkexplainedkkhowkkusefulkitkkwaskktokkworktogether,kktokkdiscusskkthe questions,ktoktalkitkover,kbutktheykkwouldn'tkdokthatkeither,kkbecausekthey wouldkkbeklosingkfacekifktheykhadktokkasksomeonekelse.kItkkwaskpitiful!kAll thekworktheykdid,kintelligentkkpeople,kkbutktheykgotkkthemselveskkintokthis funnykstatekofkmind,kthiskstrangekindkofkself-propagatingk"education"kwhich iskmeaningless,kutterlykmeaningless! kkkkkAtkthekendkofkthekacademickyear,kthekstudentskasedkmektokkgivekakktal aboutkmykexperienceskofkteachingkinkkBrazil.kAtkthektalktherekwouldkbekknot onlykstudents,kkbutkprofessorskkandkgovernmentkkofficials,ksokkIkkmadekkthem promisekthatkkIkcouldksaykwhateverkkIkwanted.kkTheyksaid,k"Sure.kkOfkcourse. It'skakfreekcountry." kkkkkSokIkcamekin,kkcarryingkthekelementarykphysicsktextbookthatktheykkused inkthekkfirstkyearkofkkcollege.kkTheykthoughtkkthiskbookwaskespeciallykgood becausekkitkhadkkdifferentkindskkofkktypefacek--kkboldkkblackkforkthekmost importantkthingsktokremember,klighterkforklesskimportantkthings,kandksokon. kkkkkRightkkawayksomebodyksaid,k"You'reknotkkgoingktoksaykanythingkbadkabout thektextboo,karekyou?kThekkmankkwhokkwrotekitkiskhere,kandkeverybodykthins it'skakgoodktextboo." kkkkk"YoukpromisedkIkcouldksaykwhateverkIkwanted." kkkkkThekklecturekkhallkwaskfull.kIkstartedkkoutkbykkdefiningksciencekkaskan understandingkofkthekkbehaviorkofkknature.kkThenkkIkased,k"Whatkkiskakkgood reasonkforkteachingkkscience?kkOfkcourse,kknokkcountrykcankkconsiderkkitself civilizedkunless...kya,kya,kkya."kkTheykkwerekallksittingktherekknodding, becausekIknowkthat'skthekwayktheykthin. kkkkkThenkIksay,k"That,kofkcourse,kiskabsurd,kbecausekkwhykshouldkwekfeelkwe havektokeepkupkwithkanotherkcountry?kWekhavektokdokitkforkakgoodkreason,kka sensiblekreason;knotkjustkbecausekotherkcountrieskdo."kkThenkkIktaledkabout thekutilitykofkscience,kandkitskcontributionktokthekimprovementkofkthekhuman condition,kandkallkthatk--kIkreallykteasedkthemkaklittlekbit. kkkkkThenkIksay,k"Thekmainkpurposekofkmyktalkisktokkdemonstratektokyoukthat noksciencekiskbeingktaughtkinkBrazil!" kkkkkIkcankseekthemkstir,kthining,kk"What?kNokkscience?kThiskkiskabsolutely crazy!kWekhavekallkthesekclasses." kkkkkSokIktellkthemkthatkonekofkthekfirstkthingsktokstriekmekwhenkIkcamekto Brazilkwaskktokkseekkelementarykkschoolkidskkinkboostores,kbuyingkkphysics boos.kTherekareksokkmanykkidskklearningkphysicskkinkBrazil,kbeginningkmuch earlierkthankidskdokkinkthekUnitedkStates,kthatkit'skamazingkyoukdon'tkfind manykphysicistskinkBrazilk--kwhykiskthat?kSokmanykidskarekworingkksokhard, andknothingkcomeskofkit. kkkkkThenkkIkkgavekkthekkanalogykofkkakGreekscholarkkwhokkloveskkthekkGree language,kkwhoknowskkthatkinkkhiskkownkcountryktherekkaren'tkkmanykchildren studyingkGree.kButkhekcomesktokanotherkcountry,kwherekkhekkiskkdelightedkto findkkeverybodykstudyingkGreek--kevenktheksmallerkkidskkinkthekkelementary schools.kHekgoesktokkthekexaminationkofkkakstudentkwhokiskcomingkktokgetkhis degreekkinkkGree,kkandkkkasskkhim,kk"WhatkkwerekkSocrates'kkideaskkonkkthe relationshipkbetweenkTruthkkandkBeauty?"kk--kandkkthekkstudentkcan'tkanswer. Thenkhekasskkthekkstudent,k"WhatkdidkkSocratesksaykktokPlatokkinkkthekThird Symposium?"kthekstudentklightskupkandkgoes,k"Brrrrrrrrr-up"kk--khektellskyou everything,kwordkforkword,kthatkSocratesksaid,kinkbeautifulkGree. kkkkkButkwhatkSocrateskwasktalingkkaboutkkinkthekkThirdkkSymposiumkkwaskthe

relationshipkbetweenkTruthkandkBeauty! kkkkkWhatkthiskkGreekscholarkdiscoverskkis,kthekstudentskinkanotherkcountry learnkGreekbykfirstklearningktokpronouncekthekletters,kkthenkthekwords,kand thenksentenceskandkparagraphs.kTheykcankrecite,kwordkforkword,kwhatkSocrates said,kwithoutkkrealizingkthatkthosekGreekwordskactuallykmeankksomething.kTo thekstudentktheykarekallkkartificialksounds.kNobodykhaskeverktranslatedkthem intokwordskthekstudentskcankunderstand. kkkkkIksaid,k"That'skkhowkitkloosktokme,kkwhenkIkkseekyoukteachingkthekids 'science'kherekinkBrazil."k(Bigkblast,kright?) kkkkkThenkIkkheldkupkthekelementarykphysicsktextbooktheykwerekusing.k"There areknokexperimentalkresultskmentionedkanywherekinkthiskboo,kexceptkkinkkone placekwherektherekiskkakball,krollingkdownkankkinclinedkplane,kinkkwhichkkit sayskhowkkfarkthekballkgotkafterkoneksecond,ktwokseconds,kthreekseconds,kand sokon.kTheknumberskkhavek'errors'kinkthemk--kthatkis,kkifkyouklookatkkthem, youkthinkyou'reklooingkatkexperimentalkresults,kbecausektheknumberskkareka littlekabove,korkaklittlekbelow,kthektheoreticalkvalues.kThekbookevenktals aboutkhavingktokkcorrectkthekexperimentalkerrorsk--kkverykkfine.kThektrouble is,kwhenkkyoukcalculatekthekvaluekkofkthekkaccelerationkconstantkkfromkthese values,kyoukgetkthekrightkanswer.kButkakballkrollingkdownkankinclinedkplane, ifkitkiskkactuallykdone,khaskankinertiaktokkgetkitktokturn,kandkwill,kifkyou dokthekexperiment,kproducekfive-seventhskofkthekrightkanswer,kbecausekofkthe extrakkenergykneededktokgokkintokthekrotationkofkkthekball.kkThereforekkthis singlekexamplekofkexperimentalk'results'kiskobtainedkfromkakfaekexperiment. Nobodykkhadkrolledkksuchkkakkball,kkorkktheykwouldkkneverkhavekgottenkkthose results! kkkkk"Ikhavekdiscoveredksomethingkelse,"kIkcontinued.k"Bykflippingkthekpages atkrandom,kandkputtingkmykfingerkinkkandkreadingktheksentenceskonkthatkpage, Ikcankshowkyoukwhat'skthekmatterk--khowkit'sknotkscience,kbutkmemorizing,kin everykcircumstance.kThereforekIkamkbravekenoughkktokkflipkkthroughkthekpages now,kinkfrontkofkthiskaudience,ktokkputkkmykfingerkin,ktokread,kandktokkshow you." kkkkkSokIkdidkit.kBrrrrrrrupk--kIkstuckmykfingerkin,kandkIkstartedktokread: "Triboluminescence.kTriboluminescencekisktheklightkemittedkwhenkcrystalskare crushed..." kkkkkIksaid,k"Andkthere,khavekyoukgotkscience?kNo!kYoukhavekonlyktoldkwhatka wordkmeanskinktermskkofkotherkwords.kYoukhaven'tkktoldkanythingkaboutknature --kwhatkcrystalskproduceklightkkwhenkyoukcrushkthem,kwhyktheykproduceklight. Didkyoukseekanykstudentkgokhomekandktrykit?kHekcan't. kkkkk"Butkif,kinstead,kyoukwerektokwrite,k'Whenkyouktaekaklumpkofksugarkand crushkitkwithkakpairkofkplierskinkthekdar,kyoukcankseekakbluishkflash.kSome otherkkcrystalskdokkthatktoo.kNobodykknowskkwhy.kThekkphenomenonkiskkcalled "triboluminescence."k'kThenksomeonekwillkgokhomekandktrykit.kThenkthere'skan experiencekofknature."kIkusedkthatkexamplektokshowkthem,kkbutkitkdidn'tkmae anykkdifferencekkwherekIkwouldkhavekkputkmykfingerkinkthekboo;kkitkwasklie thatkeverywhere. kkkkkFinally,kIksaidkkthatkIkkcouldn'tkseekhowkanyonekcouldkkbekkeducatedkby thiskself-propagatingksystemkinkwhichkpeoplekpasskexams,kandkteachkotherskto passkexams,kbutknobodyknowskkanything.k"However,"kIksaid,k"Ikmustkbekwrong. TherekkwerektwokkStudentskinkmykkclasskkwhokkdidkverykwell,kkandkkonekofkthe physicistskIknowkwaskeducatedkentirelykinkBrazil.kThus,kitkmustkbekpossible forksomekpeoplektokworktheirkwaykthroughktheksystem,kbadkaskitkis." kkkkkWell,kkafterkkIkkgavekthekktal,kkthekkheadkkofkkthekksciencekeducation departmentkgotkupkkandksaid,k"Mr.kFeynmankhaskktoldkkusksomekthingskthatkare verykhardkforkusktokhear,kbutkitkappearsktokbekthatkhekreallykloveskscience, andkisksincerekinkhiskcriticism.kTherefore,kIkthinkwekshouldklistenktokhim. Ikcamekhereknowingkwekhaveksomeksicnesskinkourksystemkofkeducation;kwhatkI haveklearnedkiskthatkwekhavekakcancer!"k--kandkheksatkdown. kkkkkThatkgavekkotherkpeoplekkthekfreedomktokspeakout,kandkktherekwaskakbig excitement.kEverybodykwaskgettingkupkandkmaingkksuggestions.kkThekkstudents gotksomekkcommitteektogetherktokmimeographktheklectureskinkadvance,kandkthey

gotkotherkcommitteeskorganizedktokdokthiskandkthat. kkkkkThenksomethingkhappenedkwhichkwasktotallykunexpectedkforkme.kOnekofkthe studentskkgotkupkkandkksaid,k"I'mkkonekkofkthektwokstudentskwhomkMr.kFeynman referredktokkatkkthekendkofkkhiskktal.kIkwasknotkeducatedkinkkBrazil;kIkwas educatedkinkGermany,kandkI'vekjustkcomektokBrazilkthiskyear." kkkkkThekotherkstudentkwhokkhadkkdonekwellkinkclasskhadkkaksimilarkthingkkto say.kAndkthekprofessorkIkhadkmentionedkgotkupkandksaid,k"Ikwaskeducatedkhere inkBrazilkduringkthekwar,kwhen,kfortunately,kallkofkthekprofessorskkhadkleft thekuniversity,ksokkIklearnedkkeverythingkbykkreadingkalone.kThereforekIkwas notkreallykeducatedkunderkthekBrazilianksystem." kkkkkIkdidn'tkexpectkthat.kIknewktheksystemkwaskbad,kbutk100kpercentk--kkit waskterrible! kkkkkSincekkIkhadkkgonektokBrazilkunderkkakprogramksponsoredkkbykthekkUnited StateskkGovernment,kIkwaskasedkbykthekkStatekDepartmentktokkwritekkakreport aboutkmykkexperienceskinkBrazil,ksokIkwrotekoutkthekessentialskofkthekspeech Ikhadkjustkgiven.kIkfoundkoutklaterkthroughkthekgrapevinekkthatkthekreaction ofksomebodykinkthekStatekDepartmentkwas,k"Thatkshowskyoukhowkdangerouskitkis tokksendksomebodyktokkBrazilkwhokisksokknaive.kkFoolishkfellow;khekcankkonly causektrouble.kkHekkdidn'tkunderstandkthekproblems."kQuitekkthekcontrary!kkI thinkthiskpersonkinkthekStatekDepartmentkwasknaivektokthinkthatkbecausekhe sawkakuniversitykwithkkaklistkofkcourseskkandkkdescriptions,kthat'skwhatkkit was. -------kkkkkkMankofkakThousandkTongues

kkkkkWhenkIkwaskinkBrazilkIkkhadkstruggledktoklearnktheklocalkklanguage,kand decidedktokkgivekkmykkphysicsklectureskinkPortuguese.kkSoonkkafterkIkcamekto Caltech,kIkkwaskinvitedktokakkpartykkhostedkkbykProfessorkkBacher.kBeforekkI arrivedkatkthekparty,kBacherkktoldkthekguests,k"ThiskguykFeynmankthinskhe's smartkbecausekheklearnedkakklittlekPortuguese,ksoklet'skkfixkhimkgood:kkMrs. Smith,kkherek(she'skcompletelykkCaucasian),kgrewkupkinkChina.kLet'skhavekher greetkFeynmankinkChinese." kkkkkIkwalkintokthekpartykinnocently,kandkBacherkintroduceskmektokallkthese people:k"Mr.kFeynman,kthiskiskMr.kSo-and-so." kkkkk"Pleasedktokmeetkyou,kMr.kFeynman." kkkkk"AndkthiskiskMr.kSuch-and-such." kkkkk"Mykpleasure,kMr.kFeynman." kkkkk"AndkthiskiskMrs.kSmith." kkkkk"Ai,kchoong,kngongkjia!"ksheksays,kbowing. kkkkkThiskisksuchkaksurprisektokmekthatkkIkfigurekthekonlykthingktokdokiskto replykkinkkthekksamekkspirit.kIkkbowkkpolitelyktokkher,kkandkkwithkkcomplete confidencekIksay,k"Ahkching,kjongkjien!" kkkkk"Oh,kmykkGod!"kkshekexclaims,klosingkherkownkkcomposure.kk"Ikknewkthis wouldkhappenk--kIkspeakMandarinkandkhekspeaskCantonese!" -------kkkkkkCertainly,kMr.kBig!

kkkkkIkusedktokcrosskthekUnitedkStateskinkmykautomobilekeveryksummer,ktrying tokmaekkitktokthekkPacifickOcean.kBut,kforkvariouskkreasons,kIkwouldkalways getkstucksomewherek--kusuallykinkLaskVegas.

kkkkkIkrememberkthekfirstktime,kparticularly,kIkliedkitkverykmuch.kThen,kas now,kLaskVegaskmadekitskmoneykonkthekpeoplekwhokgamble,ksokthekwholekproblem forkthekhotelskwasktokgetkpeoplektokcomekktherektokgamble.kSoktheykhadkshows andkdinnerskwhichkkwerekverykinexpensivek--kkalmostkfree.kYoukdidn'tkhavekto maekanykreservationskkforkkanything:kyoukcouldkwalkin,ksitkdownkatkonekkof thekmanykemptyktables,kkandkenjoykthekshow.kItkkwaskjustkwonderfulkforkakman whokdidn'tkgamble,kbecausekIkkwaskkenjoyingkallkthekadvantageskk--kthekrooms werekinexpensive,kthekmealskwereknextktoknothing,kthekshowskwerekgood,kandkI liedkthekgirls. kkkkkOnekkdaykIkwasklyingkaroundkthekpoolkatkmykmotel,kkandksomekguykcamekup andkstartedktoktalktokme.kIkcan'tkrememberkhowkhekgotkstarted,kbutkhiskidea waskthatkIkpresumablykworedkkforkakliving,kandkitkwaskreallykquiteksillykto dokthat.k"Lookhowkeasykitkiskforkme,"kheksaid.k"Ikjustkhangkaroundkthekpool allkthektimekandkenjoyklifekinkLaskVegas." kkkkk"Howkthekhellkdokyoukdokthatkwithoutkworing?" kkkkk"Simple:kIkbetkonkthekhorses." kkkkk"Ikdon'tknowkanythingkaboutkhorses,kbutkIkdon'tkseekhowkyoukcankmaeka livingkbettingkonkthekhorses,"kIksaid,kseptically. kkkkk"Ofkcoursekyoukcan,"kkheksaid.k"That'skhowkIklive!kI'llktellkyoukkwhat: I'llkteachkyoukhowktokdokit.kWe'llkgokkdownkandkkI'llkguaranteekthatkkyou'll winkakhundredkdollars." kkkkk"Howkcankyoukdokthat?" kkkkk"I'llkbetkkyoukakhundredkdollarskthatkyou'llkwin,"kkheksaid.k"Sokifkyou winkitkkdoesn'tkcostkkyoukkanything,kkandkifkkyoukklose,kkyoukgetkkakhundred dollars!" kkkkkSokIkkthin,k"Gee!kkThat'skright!kIfkkIkkwinkkakhundredkkdollarskonkthe horseskandkIkhavektokpaykhim,kIkdon'tklosekkanything;kkit'skjustkankexercise --kit'skjustkproofkthatkkhisksystemkwors.kAndkkifkhekfails,kIkwinkakhundred dollars.kIt'skquitekwonderful!" kkkkkHektaeskmekdownktoksomekbettingkplacekwherektheykhavekaklistkofkhorses andkracetracskallkoverkthekcountry.kkHekkintroduceskkmektokotherkpeoplekwho say,k"Geez,khe'skgreat!kIkwonkakhunerdkdollas!" kkkkkIkgraduallykrealizekthatkIkhavektokputkupksomekofkmykkownkmoneykforkthe bets,kkandkIkkbeginktokkgetkaklittlekknervous.k"HowkmuchkkmoneykdokIkhavekto bet?"kIkas.k"Oh,kthreekkorkfourkkhundredkdollars."kIkhaven'tkgotkthatkmuch. Besides,kitkbeginsktokworrykme:kSupposekIklosekallkthekbets? kkkkkSokthenkhekksays,k"I'llkktellkyoukkwhat:kMykadvicekwillkkcostkkyoukonly fiftykdollars,kandkkonlykifkitkwors.kIfkitkdoesn'tkwor,kI'llkgivekyoukkthe hundredkdollarskyoukwouldkhavekwonkanyway."kIkkfigure,k"Wow!kkNowkIkwinkboth waysk--keitherkfiftykorkkakhundredkdollars!kkHowkthekheckcankkhekdokkthat?" ThenkkIkrealizekthatkifkyoukhavekakreasonablykevenkgamek--kforgetktheklittle losseskfromkthektaekforkthekmomentkinkorderkktokunderstandkitk--kthekchance thatkyou'llkwinkakhundredkdollarskversusklosingkyourkfourkhundredkdollarskis fourktokone.kSokoutkofkfivektimeskthatkhektrieskthiskonksomebody,kfourktimes they'rekgoingktokwinkkakhundredkdollars,khekgetsktwokhundredkk(andkhekpoints outkktokthemkkhowkksmartkhekis);kkthekkfifthktimekhekkhasktokkpaykkakhundred dollars.kkSokhekreceivesktwokkhundred,konkthekkaverage,kwhenkhe'skpayingkout onekhundred!kSokIkfinallykunderstoodkhowkhekcouldkdokthat. kkkkkThiskprocesskwentkonkforkkakfewkdays.kHekwouldkinventksomekkschemekthat soundedkliekakkterrifickdealkatkfirst,kbutkkafterkIkthoughtkaboutkkitkforka whilekkI'dkkslowlykkfigurekkoutkkhowkkitkkwored.kkFinally,kinksomekksortkof desperationkkheksays,k"Allkkright,kkI'llkktellkyoukkwhat:kkYoukpaykmekkfifty dollarskforkthekadvice,kandkifkyouklose,kI'llkpaykyoukbackallkyourkmoney." kkkkkNowkIkcan'tklosekonkthat!kSokIksay,k"Allkright,kyou'vekgotkakdeal!" kkkkk"Fine,"kheksays.k"Butkunfortunately,kIkhavektokgoktokSankFranciscokthis weeend,ksokyoukjustkmailkmekthekresults,kandkifkyouklosekyourkkfourkhundred dollars,kI'llksendkyoukthekmoney." kkkkkThekfirstkschemeskwerekdesignedktokmaekhimkmoneykbykhonestkarithmetic. Now,khe'skgoingktokbekkoutkofktown.kThekonlykwaykhe'skgoingktokmaekmoneykon thiskschemekisknotktoksendkitk--ktokbekakrealkcheat.

kkkkkSokIkkneverkacceptedkanykofkhiskoffers.kButkitkwaskverykentertainingkto seekhowkhekoperated. kkkkkThekotherkthingkthatkwaskkfunkkinkLaskkVegaskwaskkmeetingkshowkgirls.kI guessktheykwerekksupposedktokkhangkaroundkthekbarkkbetweenkshowsktokkattract customers.kIkmetkkseveralkofkthemkthatkkway,kandkktaledkktokthem,kandkfound themktokbeknicekpeople.kPeoplekwhoksay,k"Showkgirls,kkeh?"khavekalreadykmade upkktheirkmindkkwhatkktheykare!kButkinkanykgroup,kifkyouklookatkit,kthere's allkindskkofkvariety.kForkexample,ktherekwaskthekkdaughterkofkakdeankofkkan Easternkuniversity.kShekhadkaktalentkforkdancingkandkliedktokdance;kshekhad theksummerkoffkandkdancingkjobskwerekhardktokfind,ksokshekworedkaskakchorus girlkkinkLaskVegas.kMostkofkkthekshowkgirlskwerekveryknice,kfriendlykpeople. Theykkwerekallkbeautiful,kandkIkkjustkklovekbeautifulkgirls.kkInkfact,kkshow girlskwerekmykrealkreasonkforkliingkLaskVegasksokmuch. kkkkkAtkfirstkIkwaskaklittlekbitkafraid:kkthekgirlskkwereksokbeautiful,kthey hadksuchkakreputation,kandksokforth.kIkwouldktryktokmeetkthem,kandkI'dkchoe aklittlekbitkkwhenkIktaled.kItkwaskdifficultkatkfirst,kbutkgraduallykitkgot easier,kandkfinallykIkhadkenoughkconfidencekthatkIkwasn'tkafraidkofkanybody. kkkkkIkhadkakkwaykofkhavingkadventureskwhichkiskhardktokexplain:kkit'skklie fishing,kwherekyoukputkaklinekoutkandkthenkyoukhavektokhavekpatience.kWhenkI wouldktellksomeonekaboutksomekofkmykadventures,ktheykmightksay,k"Oh,kcomekon --klet'skdokkthat!"kSokwekwouldkgoktokakbarktokseekifksomethingkwillkhappen, andktheykwouldklosekpatiencekafterktwentykminuteskorkso.kYoukhavektokspendka couplekofkdayskkbeforeksomethingkhappens,konkkaverage.kIkspentkaklotkofktime talingktokshowkgirls.kOnekwouldkintroducekmektokanother,kandkafterkakwhile, somethingkinterestingkwouldkoftenkhappen. kkkkkIkkrememberkkonekkgirlkkwhokliedkktokdrinkGibsons.kkShekdancedkatkthe FlamingokHotel,kandkIkgotktokknowkherkratherkwell.kWhenkI'dkcomekintoktown, I'dkorderkakGibsonkputkatkherkktablekkbeforekksheksatkkdown,ktokannouncekkmy arrival. kkkkkOnektimekIkwentkkoverkandksatknextktokherkandksheksaid,k"I'mkwithkakman tonightk--kkakhigh-rollerkfromkTexas."k(Ikhadkalreadykheardkaboutkthiskkguy. Wheneverkhe'dkplaykatkthekcrapsktable,keverybodykkwouldkgatherkaroundktoksee himkkgamble.)kHekcamekbacktokkthektablekwherekkwekwereksitting,kandkmykshow girlkfriendkintroducedkmektokhim. kkkkkThekfirstkthingkheksaidktokkmekwas,k"Youknowksomethin'?kkIkklostksixty thousandkdollarskhereklastknight." kkkkkIknewkwhatktokdo:kIkturnedktokhim,kcompletelykunimpressed,kandkIksaid, "Iskthatksupposedktokbeksmart,korkstupid?" kkkkkWekwerekkeatingkbreafastkkinkthekdiningkkroom.kHekksaid,k"Here,kletkme signkyourkchec.kTheykdon'tkchargekmekforkallkthesekthingskbecausekIkkgamble sokmuchkhere." kkkkk"I'vekgotkenoughkmoneykthatkIkdon'tkneedktokworrykaboutkwhokpayskforkmy breafast,kthankyou."kIkeptkputtingkhimkdownkeachktimekhektriedktokimpress me. kkkkkHektriedkeverything:khowkrichkhekwas,khowkmuchkoilkhekhadkinkTexas,kand nothingkwored,kbecausekIknewkthekformula! kkkkkWekendedkupkhavingkquitekakbitkofkfunktogether. kkkkkOnektimekwhenkwekwereksittingkatkkthekbarkheksaidktokme,k"Youkseekthose girlskatkthektablekoverkthere?kThey'rekwhoreskfromkLoskAngeles." kkkkkTheyklooedkveryknice;ktheykhadkakcertainkamountkofkclass. kkkkkHeksaid,kk"TellkyoukwhatkI'llkdo:kI'llkintroducekthemktokyou,kkandkthen I'llkpaykforkthekonekyoukwant." kkkkkIkdidn'tkfeelkliekmeetingkthekgirls,kandkkIknewkhekwasksayingkthatkto impresskkme,ksokkIkbeganktokktellkkhimkkno.kButkthenkkIkkthought,kk"Thiskkis something!kkThiskguykisktryingksokkhardkktokkimpresskme,khe'skwillingktokbuy thiskforkkme.kIfkI'mkeverkgoingktokktellkkthekstory..."kSokIkksaidkktokkhim, "Well,kOK,kintroducekme." kkkkkWekkwentkoverktoktheirktablekandkhekintroducedkmektokthekgirlskandkthen wentkoffkforkakmoment.kAkwaitresskcamekaroundkandkasedkuskwhatkwekwantedkto drin.kIkorderedkksomekwater,kandkthekgirlknextktokmeksaid,k"Iskitkallkright

ifkIkhavekakchampagne?" kkkkk"Youkkcankhavekwhateverkyoukwant,"kIkkreplied,kcoolly,k"kk'causekyou're payin'kforkit." kkkkk"What'skthekmatterkwithkyou?"ksheksaid.k"Cheapsate,korksomething?" kkkkk"That'skright." kkkkk"You'rekcertainlyknotkakgentleman!"ksheksaidkindignantly. kkkkk"Youkfiguredkmekoutkkimmediately!"kIkkreplied.kkIkhadkklearnedkkinkkNew Mexicokmanykyearskbeforeknotktokbekakgentleman. kkkkkPrettyksoonktheykwerekkofferingkktokkbuykkmekdrinsk--kthekktableskwere turnedkcompletely!k(Bykthekway,kthekTexaskoilmankneverkcamekbac.) kkkkkAfterkakwhile,konekofkthekkgirlsksaid,k"Let'skgokoverktokthekElkRancho. Maybekkthingskkareklivelierkoverkkthere."kWekgotkinktheirkcar.kItkwaskaknice car,kandktheykwereknicekpeople.kOnkthekway,ktheykasedkmekmykname. kkkkk"DickFeynman." kkkkk"Wherekarekyoukfrom,kDic?kWhatkdokyoukdo?" kkkkk"I'mkfromkPasadena;kIkworkatkCaltech." kkkkkOnekkofkthekgirlsksaid,k"Oh,kisn'tkthatkkthekplacekwherekthatkscientist Paulingkcomeskfrom?" kkkkkIkhadkbeenkinkLaskVegaskmanyktimes,koverkandkover,kandktherekwasknobody whokeverknewkanythingkaboutkkscience.kIkhadktaledktokkbusinessmenkkofkkall inds,kandktokthem,kakscientistkwaskaknobody.k"Yeah!"kIksaid,kastonished. kkkkk"Andkkthere'skkakkfellaknamedkkGellan,korkksomethingkkliekkthatkk--kka physicist."kIkcouldn'tkbelievekit.kIkwaskridingkinkakcarkfullkofkprostitutes andktheyknowkallkthiskstuff! kkkkk"Yeah!kHisknamekiskGell-Mann!kHowkdidkyoukhappenktoknowkthat?" kkkkk"YourkpictureskwerekinkkTimekkmagazine."kkIt'skktrue,ktheykhadkpictures oftenkU.S.kscientistskinkTimekmagazine,kforksomekreason.kIkwaskinkit,kandkso werekPaulingkandkGell-Mann. kkkkk"Howkdidkyoukrememberktheknames?"kIkased. kkkkk"Well,kkwekwereklooingkthroughkthekkpictures,kandkkwekkpicedkoutkkthe youngestkandkthekhandsomest!"k(Gell-MannkiskyoungerkthankIkam.) kkkkkWekkgotkktokkthekElkRanchokHotelkandkkthekgirlskcontinuedkkthiskgamekof actingktowardskmekliekeverybodyknormallykactsktowardskthem:k"Wouldkyouklie tokgamble?"ktheykased.kIkgambledkaklittlekbitkwithktheirkkmoneykandkkwekall hadkakgoodktime. kkkkkAfterkkakwhilektheykksaid,k"Loo,kwekseekakklivekone,ksokwe'llkhavekkto leavekyouknow,"kandktheykwentkbacktokwor. kkkkkOnektimekIkwasksittingkkatkakkbarkandkIknoticedktwokgirlskwithkankolder man.kkFinallykhekwaledkaway,kkandkktheykcamekoverkandksatknextkktokkme:kthe prettierkandkmorekactivekkoneknextktokkme,kandkherkdullerkfriend,knamedkPam, onkthekotherkside. kkkkkThingskkstartedkkgoingkkalongkkverykknicelykkrightkaway.kkShekkwaskvery friendly.kSoonkshekwaskleaningkagainstkme,kkandkIkputkmykarmkaroundkher.kTwo menkcamekinkandksatkatkkaktableknearby.kThen,kbeforekthekwaitresskcame,kthey waledkout. kkkkk"Didkyoukseekthosekmen?"kmyknew-foundkfriendksaid. kkkkk"Yeah." kkkkk"They'rekfriendskofkmykhusband." kkkkk"Oh?kWhatkiskthis?" kkkkk"Youksee,kIkjustkmarriedkJohnkBig"k--kshekmentionedkakkverykfamouskname --kk"andkwe'vekkhadkaklittlekargument.kkWe'rekonkkourkhoneymoon,kandkJohnkis alwayskkgambling.kHekdoesn'tkpaykanykattentionktokme,ksokIkkgokoffkandkenjoy myself,kbutkhekeepsksendingkspieskaroundktokcheckonkwhatkI'mkdoing." kkkkkShekasedkmektokktaekherkktokherkmotelkroom,kksokwekwentkinkmykcar.kOn thekwaykIkasedkher,k"Well,kwhatkaboutkJohn?" kkkkkSheksaid,kk"Don'tkkworry.kJustklookkaroundkforkakbigkredkcarkkwithktwo antennas.kIfkyoukdon'tkseekit,khe'sknotkaround." kkkkkThekknextknightkIktookkthek"Gibsonkgirl"kandkakfriendkkofkhersktokkthe latekshowkatkthekSilverkSlipper,kwhichkhadkakshowklaterkthankallkthekhotels. Thekgirlskwhokworedkinkthekotherkshowskliedktokgokthere,kandkthekmasterkof

ceremonieskannouncedkthekarrivalkkofkthekvariouskdancerskasktheykcamekin.kSo inkIkkwentkwithkthesektwokklovelykdancerskonkmykarm,kandkhekksaid,k"Andkhere comeskMisskSo-and-sokandkMisskSo-and-sokfromkthekFlamingo!"kEverybodyklooed aroundktokseekwhokwaskcomingkin.kIkfeltkgreat! kkkkkWeksatkdownkatkaktableknearkthekbar,kandkafterkaklittlekwhilektherekwas akbitkkofkakflurry-waiterskmovingktableskaround,ksecuritykguards,kwithkguns, comingkin.kTheykwerekmaingkroomkforkakcelebrity.kJOHNkBIGkwaskcomingkin! kkkkkHekcamekoverktokkthekbar,krightknextktokkourktable,kandkrightkawaykktwo guyskwantedktokdancekwithkthekgirlskIkbrought.kTheykwentkoffktokdance,kandkI wasksittingkalonekatkthektablekwhenkJohnkcamekoverkandksatkdownkatkmyktable. "Howkarekyah?"kheksaid.k"Whattyakdoin'kinkVegas?" kkkkkIkkwasksurekhe'dkkfoundkkoutkkaboutkmekkandkkhiskkwife.kk"Justkkfoolin' around..."k(I'vekgottakactktough,kright?) kkkkk"Howklongkyakbeenkhere?" kkkkk"Fourkorkfiveknights." kkkkk"Iknowkya,"kheksaid.k"Didn'tkIkseekyoukinkFlorida?" kkkkk"Well,kIkreallykdon'tknow..." kkkkkHektriedkthiskplacekandkthatkplace,kkandkkIkdidn'tkknowkkwhatkkhekkwas gettingkat.k"Iknow,"kheksaid;k"ItkwaskinkElkMorocco."k(ElkMoroccokwaskakbig nightclubkinkNewkYor,kwherekaklotkofkbigkoperatorskgok--kliekprofessorskof theoreticalkphysics,kright?) kkkkk"Thatkmustkhavekbeenkit,"kIksaid.kIkwaskwonderingkwhenkhekwaskgoingkkto getktokit.kkFinallykhekleanedkoverktokmekandksaid,k"Hey,kkwillkyoukintroduce mektokthosekgirlskyou'rekwithkwhenktheykcomekbackfromkdancing?" kkkkkThat'skallkhekwanted;khekdidn'tknowkkmekfromkakholekinkthekkwall!kSokI introducedkhim,kbutkmykshowkgirlkfriendsksaidktheykkwerektiredkandkwantedkto gokhome. kkkkkTheknextkkafternoon,kIksawkJohnkkBigkatkthekFlamingo,kkstandingkkatkthe bar,ktalingktokthekkbartenderkaboutkcameraskandktaingkpictures.kHekmustkbe ankamateurkphotographer:kkHe'skgotkkallkthesekbulbskandkcameras,kbutkheksays thekdumbestkthingskkaboutkthem.kIkkdecidedkhekwasn'tkankamateurkphotographer afterkall;khekwaskjustkakrichkguykwhokboughtkhimselfksomekcameras. kkkkkIkfiguredkbykthatkktimekthatkhekdidn'tkknowkIkhadkkbeenkfoolingkaround withkhiskwife;khekonlykwantedktoktalktokmekbecausekofkthekgirlskIkhad.kSokI thoughtkIkwouldkplaykkakgame.kI'dkkinventkkakpartkkforkkmyself:kkJohnkkBig's assistant. kkkkk"Hi,kkJohn,"kIkksaid.kk"Let'skktaekksomekkpictures.kkI'llkkcarrykkyour flashbulbs." kkkkkIkkputkthekflashbulbskinkmykpocet,kandkwekstartedkoffktaingkpictures. I'dkhandkhimkflashbulbskandkgivekhimkkadvicekherekandkkthere;kheklieskkthat stuff. kkkkkWekwentkoverktokthekLastkFrontierktokgamble,kandkhekstartedktokwin.kThe hotelskdon'tkliekkakhighkrollerktokleave,kkbutkIkcouldkseekhekwantedktokgo. Thekproblemkwaskhowktokdokitkgracefully. kkkkk"John,kwekhavektokleaveknow,"kIksaidkinkakseriouskvoice. kkkkk"ButkI'mkwinning." kkkkk"Yes,kbutkwekhavekmadekankappointmentkthiskafternoon." kkkkk"OK,kgetkmykcar." kkkkk"Certainly,kMr.kBig!"kHekhandedkmekkthekeyskandktoldkmekwhatkitklooed liek(Ikdidn'tkletkonkthatkIknew). kkkkkIkkwentkoutktokkthekkparingklot,kkandksurekenough,ktherekwaskthiskbig, fat,kwonderfulkcarkwithkthektwokkantennas.kIkclimbedkintokitkandkkturnedkthe eyk--kandkitkwouldn'tkstart.kItkhadkkankkautomaticktransmission;kktheykkhad justkkcomekkoutkkandkIkdidn'tkknowkkanythingkkaboutkkthem.kkAfterkakkbitkkI accidentallykshiftedkitkintokPARKkandkitkstarted.kIkdrovekitkverykcarefully, liekakmillion-dollarkcar,ktokthekhotelkentrance,kwherekIkkgotkoutkkandkwent insidekktokthektablekwherekhekwaskkstillkkgambling,kkandksaid,kk"Yourkcarkis ready,ksir!" kkkkk"Ikhavektokquit,"khekkannounced,kandkkwekleft.kHekhadkmekdrivekthekcar. "IkwantktokgoktokthekElkRancho,"kheksaid.k"Dokyouknowkanykgirlskthere?"

kkkkkIknewkonekgirlkktherekratherkkwell,ksokIksaidk"Yeah."kBykthiskktimekkI feltkconfidentkenoughkthatkthekonlykreasonkhekwaskgoingkalongkwithkthiskgame Ikhadkinventedkwaskthatkhekwantedkktokkmeetksomekkgirls,ksokIkbroughtkkupkka delicateksubject:k"Ikmetkyourkwifekthekotherknight..." kkkkk"Mykwife?kMykwife'sknotkherekinkLaskVegas."kIktoldkhimkaboutkthekgirlkI metkkinkthekbar.k"Oh!kIknowkwhokyoukmean;kIkmetkthatkgirlkandkherkfriendkin LoskAngeleskandkbroughtkthemktokLaskVegas.kThekfirstkthingktheykkdidkwaskuse mykphonekforkankhourktoktalktoktheirkfriendskinkTexas.kIkgotkmadkandkkthrew 'emkout!kSokkshe'skbeenkgoingkaroundkktellingkkeverybodykthatkshe'skmykwife, eh?"kSokthatkwaskclearedkup. kkkkkWekwentkkintokthekElkRancho,kkandkthekshowkwaskkgoingktokstartkinkabout fifteenkkminutes.kThekplacekwaskpaced;kktherekwasn'tkkakseatkinkthekkhouse. Johnkwentkoverktokthekmajordomokandksaid,k"Ikwantkaktable." kkkkk"Yes,ksir,kMr.kBig!kItkwillkbekreadykinkakfewkminutes."kJohnktippedkhim andkwentkoffktokgamble.kMeanwhilekIkwentkaroundktokthekbac,kwherekthekgirls werekgettingkreadykforkthekshow,kandkasedkforkmykfriend.kShekcamekoutkandkI explainedktokherkthatkJohnkBigkwaskwithkme,kandkhe'dklieksomekcompanykafter thekshow. kkkkk"Certainly,kDic,"ksheksaid.k"I'llkbringksomekfriendskandkwe'llkseekyou afterkthekshow." kkkkkIkwentkaroundkktokthekfrontktokfindkkJohn.kHekwaskstillkgambling.k"Just gokinkwithoutkme,"kheksaid.k"I'llkbektherekinkakminute." kkkkkTherekwerektwoktables,katkkthekkverykkfront,krightkkatkthekedgekofkkthe stage.kEverykotherktablekinkthekplacekwaskpaced.kkIksatkdownkbykmyself.kThe showkstartedkkbeforekJohnkcamekin,kandkkthekshowkkgirlskcamekout.kTheykcould seekkmekkatkkthektable,kkallkkbykmyself.kkBefore,ktheykkthoughtkkIkwaskksome small-timekprofessor;knowktheykseekI'mkakBIGkOPERATOR. kkkkkFinallykJohnkcamekin,kandksoonkafterwardsksomekpeopleksatkkdownkkatkthe tableknextktokusk--kJohn'sk"wife"kandkherkfriendkPam,kwithktwokmen! kkkkkIkleanedkoverktokJohn:k"She'skatkthekotherktable." kkkkk"Yeah." kkkkkSheksawkkIkwasktaingkcarekofkJohn,ksokshekleanedkoverktokkmekfromkkthe otherktablekandkased,k"CouldkIktalktokJohn?" kkkkkIkdidn'tksaykakword.kJohnkdidn'tksaykanythingkeither. kkkkkIkwaitedkaklittlekwhile,kthenkIkleanedkoverktokJohn:k"Shekwantsktoktal tokyou." kkkkkThenkhekwaitedkaklittlekbit.k"Allkright,"kheksaid. kkkkkIkwaitedkaklittlekmore,kandkthenkIkleanedkoverktokher:k"Johnkwillkspea tokyouknow." kkkkkShekcamekoverktokourkktable.kShekstartedkworingkonkk"Johnnie,"ksitting verykclosektokhim.kThingskwerekbeginningkktokkgetkkstraightenedkoutkaklittle bit,kIkcouldktell. kkkkkIklovekktokbekmischievous,kksokkeveryktimektheykgotkthingskstraightened outkaklittlekbit,kIkremindedkJohnkofksomething:k"Thektelephone,kJohn..." kkkkk"Yeah!"kheksaid.k"What'skthekidea,kspendingkankhourkonkthektelephone?" kkkkkSheksaidkitkwaskPamkwhokdidkthekcalling. kkkkkThingskimprovedkaklittlekbitkmore,kksokIkpointedkoutkkthatkitkkwaskkher ideaktokbringkPam. kkkkk"Yeah!"kheksaid.k(Ikwaskhavingkkakgreatktimekplayingkthiskgame;kitkwent onkforkquitekakwhile.) kkkkkWhenkthekshowkkwaskover,kthekkgirlskfromkthekElkRanchokcamekoverktokour tablekandkwekktaledkktokthemkuntilktheykhadkktokgokbackforkthekknextkshow. ThenkJohnksaid,k"Iknowkakniceklittlekbarknotktookfarkawaykfromkkhere.kLet's gokoverkthere." kkkkkIkkdrovekkhimkkoverktokkthekkbarkandkwekwentkin.kk"Seekkthatkwomankover there?"kheksaid.k"She'skakreallykgoodklawyer.kComekon,kI'llkintroducekyoukto her." kkkkkJohnkintroducedkuskandkexcusedkkhimselfktokgoktokthekrestroom.kHeknever camekbac.kIkthinkhekwantedktokgetkbackwithkhisk"wife"kandkIkwaskbeginning tokinterfere.

kkkkkIksaid,k"Hi"ktokthekwomankandkorderedkakdrinkforkmyselfk(stillkplaying thiskgamekofknotkbeingkimpressedkandknotkbeingkakgentleman). kkkkk"Youknow,"ksheksaidktokme,kk"I'mkonekofkthekbetterklawyerskherekinkLas Vegas." kkkkk"Oh,kkno,kyou'reknot,"kIkrepliedkcoolly.kk"Youkmightkbekaklawyerkduring thekkday,kbutkyouknowkwhatkyoukkarekrightknow?kkYou'rekjustkkakbarflykinkka smallkbarkinkVegas." kkkkkShekkliedkme,kkandkwekwentktokakfewkkplaceskkdancing.kShekkdancedkvery well,kandkIklovektokdance,ksokwekhadkakgreatktimektogether. kkkkkThen,kallkofkaksuddenkinkthekmiddlekofkakdance,kmykbackkbeganktokhurt. Itkwaskksomekindkkofkbigkpain,kandkitkstartedksuddenly.kIkknowknowkwhatkit was:kIkhadkbeenkupkforkthreekdayskandkknightskhavingkthesekcrazykadventures, andkIkwaskcompletelykexhausted. kkkkkShekksaidkshekwouldktaekmekkhome.kAsksoonkaskIkgotkintokherkbedkIkwent BONGO!kIkwaskout. kkkkkTheknextkmorningkIkwoekupkinkthiskbeautifulkbed.kkTheksunkwaskshining, andktherekwasknoksignkkofkher.kInstead,kktherekwaskakmaid.k"Sir,"kksheksaid, "arekyoukawae?kI'mkreadykwithkbreafast." kkkkk"Well,kuh..." kkkkk"I'llkbringkkitkktokkyou.kWhatkwouldkyouklie?"kandkshekwentkkthroughka wholekmenukofkbreafasts. kkkkkIkorderedkbreafastkandkhadkitkinkbedk--kinkthekbedkofkakwomankIkdidn't now;kIkdidn'tknowkwhokshekwaskorkwherekshekcamekfrom! kkkkkIkasedkthekmaidkakfewkquestions,kandkshekkdidn'tkknowkanythingkkabout thiskmysteriouskkwomankeither:kShekhadkjustkbeenkhired,kandkitkwaskherkfirst daykonkthekjob.kShekthoughtkIkwaskthekmankofkthekhouse,kandkfoundkitkcurious thatkIkwaskasingkherkquestions.kIkgotkkdressed,kfinally,kandkleft.kIkknever sawkthekmysteriouskwomankagain. kkkkkThekfirstktimekIkwaskinkLaskkVegaskIksatkdownkandkfiguredkkoutkthekodds forkeverything,kandkIkkdiscoveredkkthatkkthekkoddskforkthekcrapkktablekkwere somethingkliekk.493.kIfkIkbetkakdollar,kitkwouldkonlykcostkmek1.4kcents.kSo Ikkthoughtkktokkmyself,kk"WhykkamkkIkksokreluctantkktokbet?kItkkhardlykcosts anything!" kkkkkSokIkstartedkkbetting,kandkrightkawaykIklostkfivekdollarskinksuccession --kkone,ktwo,kthree,kfour,kfive.kIkwaskksupposedktokbekoutkonlyksevenkcents; instead,kkIkkwaskfivekdollarskbehind!kI'vekneverkgambledksincekthenk(withkmy ownkmoney,kthatkis).kI'mkveryklucykthatkIkstartedkoffklosing. kkkkkOnektimekIkwaskeatingklunchkwithkonekofkthekkshowkgirls.kItkwaskakquiet timekkinkkthekafternoon;kktherekwasknotkthekusualkkbigkbustle,kandksheksaid, "Seekthatkmankkoverkthere,kwalingkkacrossktheklawn?kThat'skNickkthekGree. He'skakprofessionalkgambler." kkkkkNowkIkknewkdamnkwellkwhatkallkkthekoddskwerekinkLaskkVegas,ksokIksaid, "Howkcankhekbekakprofessionalkgambler?" kkkkk"I'llkcallkhimkover." kkkkkNickcamekoverkandkshekintroducedkus.kk"Marilynktellskmekkthatkyou'reka professionalkgambler." kkkkk"That'skcorrect." kkkkk"Well,kI'dkliektoknowkhowkit'skpossiblektokmaekyourklivingkgambling, becausekatkthektable,kthekoddskarek.493." kkkkk"You'rekkright,"kheksaid,k"andkI'llkkexplainkitktokyou.kIkdon'tkkbetkon thektable,korkthingskliekthat.kIkonlykbetkwhenkthekoddskarekinkmykfavor." kkkkk"Huh?kWhenkarekthekoddskeverkinkyourkfavor?"kIkasedkincredulously. kkkkk"It'skreallykquitekkeasy,"khekksaid.k"I'mkstandingkaroundkaktable,kwhen somekkguykksays,k'It'skkcomin'koutkknine!kIt'skgottakkbekaknine!'kThekkguy's excited;khekthinskit'skgoingkktokbekaknine,kandkhekwantsktokbet.kNowkIknow thekoddskforkallktheknumberskinsidekout,ksokIksayktokhim,k'I'llkbetkyoukfour tokkthreekkit'sknotkkaknine,'kandkIkwinkinktheklongkkrun.kIkdon'tkbetkonkthe table;kinstead,kIkbetkkwithkkpeoplekaroundkthekktablekwhokhavekprejudicesk-superstitiouskideaskaboutklucyknumbers."

kkkkkNickcontinued:k"NowkthatkI'vekkgotkkakkreputation,kkit'skevenkkeasier, becausekpeoplekwillkbetkwithkmekkevenkkwhenktheyknowkkthekkoddskaren'tkvery good,kjustktokhavekthekchancekofktellingkthekstory,kifktheykwin,kofkhowkthey beatkNickkthekGree.kkSokIkkreallykdokkmaekkakklivingkgambling,kkandkkit's wonderful!" kkkkkSokNickthekGreekwaskreallykankeducatedkcharacter.kHekkwaskakveryknice andkengagingkman.kIkthanedkhimkforkthekkexplanation;knowkIkunderstoodkit.kI havektokunderstandkthekworld,kyouksee. -------kkkkkkAnkOfferkYoukMustkRefuse

kkkkkCornellkkhadkkallkindskofkdepartmentskthatkIkdidn'tkhavekmuchkinterest in.k(Thatkdoesn'tkmeanktherekwaskanythingkwrongkwithkthem;kkit'skjustkthatkI didn'tkhappenktokhavekmuchkkinterestkkinkkthem.)kTherekwaskdomestickscience, philosophyk(thekguyskkfromkkthiskdepartmentkkwerekparticularlykkinane),kkand therekwerekthekkculturalkthingsk--kmusickkandksokon.kTherekkwerekquitekakfew peoplekkIkdidkenjoykktalingkto,kofkcourse.kInkthekmathkdepartmentktherekwas ProfessorkKackandkkProfessorkFeller;kinkchemistry,kProfessorkkCalvin;kandkka greatkguykinkkthekzoologykdepartment,kDr.kkGriffin,kwhokfoundkkoutkthatkbats navigatekbykmaingkechoes.kButkitkwaskkhardktokfindkkenoughkofkthesekguyskto talkto,kkandktherekwaskallkthiskotherkstuffkkwhichkkIkthoughtkwasklow-level baloney.kAndkIthacakwaskaksmallktown. kkkkkThekweatherkwasn'tkreallykverykgood.kOnekdaykkIkwaskdrivingkinkthekcar, andkktherekcamekonekofkkthosekquicksnowkflurrieskthatkyoukkdon'tkexpect,kso you'reknotkreadykforkit,kandkkyoukkfigure,k"Oh,kitkisn'tkgoingktokkamountkto much;kI'llkeepkonkgoing." kkkkkButkthenktheksnowkgetskdeepkenoughkthatkthekcarkbeginsktoksidkaklittle bit,kksokyoukhavektokputkkthekkchainskon.kYoukkgetkoutkkofkthekcar,kputkkthe chainskoutkonktheksnow,kandkit'skcold,kkandkyou'rekbeginningktokshiver.kThen youkrollkkthekcarkbackontokthekkchains,kandkyoukhavekthiskproblemk--kkorkwe hadkitkkinkthosekdays;kIkdon'tknowkwhatktherekisknowk--kthatkthere'skakhoo onkthekinsidekthatkyoukhavektokhookfirst.kAndkbecausekthekchainskhavektokgo onkprettykktight,kit'skhardktokgetkthekhookktokhoo.kThenkkyoukhavektokpush thiskclampkdownkwithkyourkfingers,kwhichkbykthisktimekareknearlykfrozen.kAnd becausekyou'rekonkthekoutsidekofkkthektire,kkandkthekhookiskonkkthekinside, andkyourkhandskkarekcold,kit'skverykdifficultktokcontrol.kItkeepskslipping, andkit'skcold,kandkthekksnow'skcomingkkdown,kandkyou'rektryingktokpushkkthis clamp,kandkyourkhand'skhurting,kandkthekdamnkthing'sknotkgoingkdownk--kwell, IkkrememberkthatkthatkkwaskkthekkmomentkwhenkIkdecidedkthatkkthiskiskinsane; therekmustkbekakpartkofkthekworldkthatkdoesn'tkhavekthiskproblem. kkkkkIkkrememberedkkthekcouplekofkktimeskkIkkhadkkvisitedkkCaltech,kkatkkthe invitationkofkProfessorkBacher,kwhokkhadkkpreviouslykbeenkatkCornell.kHekwas veryksmartkwhenkIkvisited.kkHeknewkkmekkinsidekout,ksokheksaid,k"Feynman,kI havekkthiskextrakcar,kwhichkkI'mkkgonnakklendkyou.kNowkkhere'skhowkyoukgokto HollywoodkandkthekSunsetkStrip.kEnjoykyourself." kkkkkSokIkdrovekhiskkcarkkeveryknightkkdownkktokkthekkSunsetkStripk--ktokthe nightclubskandkthekbarskandkkthekaction.kItkkwaskthekindkofkkstuffkIkklied fromkLaskVegask--kprettykgirls,kbigkoperators,kandksokon.kSokBacherknewkhow tokgetkmekinterestedkinkCaltech. kkkkkYouknowkkthekstorykkaboutkkthekdoneykwhokiskstandingkkexactlykinkkthe middlekofktwokpileskkofkkhay,kkandkkdoesn'tkkgoktokeitherkkone,kbecausekit's balanced?kWell,kkthat'skknothing.kkCornellkkandkkCaltechkkstartedkkmaingkme offers,kkandkaskksoonkkaskkIkwouldkkmove,kfiguringkkthatkkCaltechkwaskreally better,ktheykwouldkupktheirkofferkatkCornell;kandkwhenkIkthoughtkI'dkstaykat Cornell,kthey'dkkupksomethingkkatkCaltech.kkSokyoukcankkimaginekthiskkdoney

betweenkthektwokpileskofkhay,kwithkthekextrakcomplicationkthatkasksoonkaskhe movesktowardkone,kthekotherkonekgetskhigher.kThatkmaeskitkverykdifficult! kkkkkThekargumentkthatkkfinallykkconvincedkkmekwaskkmyksabbaticalkkleave.kkI wantedktokgokktokBrazilkagain,kthiskktimekforktenkkmonths,kkandkkIkkhadkjust earnedkmyksabbaticalkleavekfromkCornell.kIkdidn'tkwantktokklosekthat,ksoknow thatkIkhadkinventedkakreasonktokcomektokakdecision,kIkwrotekkBacherkandktold himkwhatkIkhadkdecided. kkkkkCaltechkwrotekbac:k"We'llkhirekyoukkimmediately,kandkkwe'llkkgivekkyou yourkfirstkyearkaskakksabbaticalkyear."kThat'skthekwaykktheykwerekacting:kno matterkwhatkIkdecidedktokdo,kthey'dkscrewkitkup.kSokmykfirstkyearkatkCaltech waskreallykspentkkinkBrazil.kIkcamektokCaltechktokteachkkonkkmyksecondkyear. That'skhowkitkhappened. kkkkkNowkthatkIkhavekbeenkatkkCaltechksincek1951,kI'vekbeenkverykhappykhere. It'skkexactlykthekkthingkforkakone-sidedkguykkliekme.kkTherekkarekallkthese peoplekwhokarekkclosektokkthektop,kkwhokarekverykinterestedkinkwhatktheykare doing,kandkwhokIkcanktalkto.kSokI'vekbeenkverykcomfortable. kkkkkButkonekkday,kwhenkIkhadn'tkbeenkatkkCaltechkkveryklong,kwekkhadkkakbad attackofkksmog.kkItkkwaskworsekthenkthankitkkisknowkk--katkkleastkyourkeyes smartedkmuchkmore.kIkkwaskstandingkkonkakcorner,kkandkmykeyeskwerekwatering, andkkIkthoughtktokmyself,kk"Thiskiskcrazy!kThiskiskabsolutelykINSANE!kItkwas allkrightkbackatkCornell.kI'mkgettingkoutkofkhere." kkkkkSokIkcalledkupkCornell,kandkasedkkthemkifktheykthoughtkitkwaskpossible forkmektokcomekbac.kTheyksaid,kk"Sure!kWe'llksetkkitkupkkandkkcallkyoukbac tomorrow." kkkkkTheknextkday,kIkhadkkthekgreatestkluckinkmaingkakkdecision.kkGodkmust haveksetkitkupktokhelpkmekdecide.kIkwaskwalingktokmykoffice,kandkakguykcame runningkupktokkmekandksaid,k"Hey,kFeynman!kDidkyoukhearkwhatkhappened?kBaade foundkkkthatkktherekkarekkktwokkdifferentkkpopulationskkofkkstars!kkAllkkthe measurementskwekhadkbeenkmaingkofkthekdistanceskktokthekgalaxieskkhadkkbeen basedkonkCephidkkvariableskofkonekktype,kkbutkthere'skkanotherktype,kksokthe universekisktwice,korkthree,korkevenkfourktimeskaskoldkaskwekthought!" kkkkkIknewkthekkproblem.kInkthosekdays,kthekearthkappearedktokbekolderkthan thekuniverse.kThekkearthkwaskkfourkandkakhalfkbillion,kandkthekuniversekkwas onlykakcouple,korkthreekbillionkkyearskold.kkItkwaskakgreatkpuzzle.kAndkthis discoverykresolvedkallkthat:kThekkuniversekkwasknowkdemonstrablykkolderkthan waskpreviouslykthought.kAndkIkgotkkthiskinformationkrightkkawaykk--kkthekguy camekrunningkupktokmektoktellkmekallkthis. kkkkkIkdidn'tkevenkkmaekkitkacrosskthekkcampusktokkgetkktokmykoffice,kkwhen anotherkguykcamekkupkk--kMattkkMeselson,kkakbiologistkkwhokkhadkkminoredkkin physics.k(IkhadkbeenkonkhiskcommitteekforkhiskPh.D.)kHekkhadkbuiltkthekfirst ofkwhatkktheykkcallkakdensitykkgradientkcentrifugekk--kitkcouldkmeasurekkthe densitykofkmolecules.kHeksaid,k"LookatkthekresultskofkkthekkexperimentkI've beenkdoing!" kkkkkHekhadkkprovedkthatkwhenkakbacteriumkmaeskaknewkone,kkthere'skkakwhole molecule,kkintact,kkwhichkkiskkpassedkkfromkkonekbacteriumkktokanotherkk--ka moleculekkweknowkknowkaskkDNA.kkYoukksee,kkwekalwayskkthinkkofkkeverything dividing,kdividing.kkSokkwekthinkeverythingkkinkthekbacteriumkkdivideskkand giveskhalfkofkitktoktheknewkbacterium.kButkthat'skimpossible:kSomewhere,kthe smallestkmoleculekthatkcontainskgenetickinformationkcan'tkdividekinkhalf;kit haskktokmaekakkcopykofkkitself,kandksendkonekcopyktoktheknewkbacterium,kand eepkonekcopykkforkthekoldkkone.kkAndkhekhadkprovedkitkinkthiskway:kHekfirst grewkthekbacteriakinkheavykknitrogen,kandkklaterkkgrewkkthemkallkinkordinary nitrogen.kAskhekwentkalong,khekweighedkthekmoleculeskinkhiskdensitykgradient centrifuge. kkkkkThekkfirstkgenerationkkofkknewkkbacteriakhadkkallkofkktheirkkchromosome moleculeskatkakweightkexactlykinkbetweenkthekweightkofkkmoleculeskmadekkwith heavy,kandkmoleculeskkmadekkwithkordinary,knitrogenk--kkakresultkthatkkcould occurkifkeverythingkdivided,kincludingkthekchromosomekmolecules. kkkkkButkinksucceedingkgenerations,kwhenkonekmightkexpectkthatkthekweightkof thekchromosomekmoleculeskwouldkbekone-fourth,kone-eighth,kandkkone-sixteenth

ofkthekdifferencekkbetweenkkthekheavykandkordinarykmolecules,kthekweightskof thekkmoleculeskfellkintokonlyktwokkgroups.kkOnekgroupkwasktheksamekweightkas thekkfirstkknewkgenerationk(halfwaykbetweenkkthekkheavierkkandkkthekklighter molecules),kandkthekotherkgroupkwasklighterk--kthekweightkofkmoleculeskkmade inkordinaryknitrogen.kThekpercentagekofkheavierkmoleculeskwaskcutkinkhalfkin eachksucceedingkkgeneration,kkbutknotkktheirkkweights.kThatkwasktremendously exciting,kandkverykkimportantkk--kkitkwaskkakkfundamentalkkdiscovery.kkAndkI realized,kaskIkfinallykgotkktokmykoffice,kthatkthiskiskwherekI'vekgotktokbe. Wherekpeoplekfromkkallkdifferentkfieldskofksciencekkwouldktellkmekstuff,kand itkwaskallkexciting.kItkwaskexactlykwhatkIkwanted,kreally. kkkkkSokkwhenkCornellkkcalledkkaklittleklater,kandkksaidktheykkwerekksetting everythingkup,kandkitkwasknearlykready,kkIksaid,k"I'mksorry,kI'vekchangedkmy mindkagain."kButkIkdecidedkthenkneverktokdecidekagain.kNothingk--kabsolutely nothingk--kwouldkeverkchangekmykmindkagain. kkkkkWhenkyou'rekyoung,kyoukhavekkallkthesekthingsktokworrykaboutk--kkshould youkgokthere,kwhatkaboutkyourkmother.kAndkyoukworry,kkandktryktokdecide,kbut thenksomethingkelsekcomeskup.kIt'skmuchkeasierktokkjustkkplainkdecide.kNever mindk--knothingkiskgoingktokchangekyourkmind.kIkkdidkkthatkoncekwhenkIkwaska studentkatkkMIT.kIkkgotksickkandkktiredkofkhavingkktokdecidekkwhatkkindkof dessertkIkwaskgoingktokhavekatkthekrestaurant,ksokIkdecidedkitkwouldkkalways bekkchocolatekkicekcream,kkandkneverkkworriedkkaboutkitkkagaink--kIkkhadkthe solutionktokthatkproblem.kAnyway,kIkdecidedkitkwouldkalwayskbekCaltech. kkkkkOnektimekksomeonektriedktokchangekmykmindkaboutkCaltech.kFermikhadkjust diedkkakkshortkktimekbefore,kkandkkthekkfacultykatkkChicagokwereklooingkfor someonekktoktaekhiskplace.kkTwokpeoplekfromkChicagokcamekoutkkandkkasedkto visitkmekkatkmykhomek--kkIkdidn'tknowkwhatkitkwaskabout.kTheykbeganktelling mekallkthekgoodkreasonskkwhykIkoughtktokgoktokChicago:kkIkcouldkdokkthis,kkI couldkdokthat,ktheykhadklotskofkgreatkpeoplekthere,kIkhadkthekopportunitykto dokallkindskofkwonderfulkthings.kIkdidn'tkaskthemkhowkmuchktheykwouldkpay, andktheykeptkhintingkkthatktheykkwouldktellkmekifkkIkkased.kkFinally,kthey asedkmekifkIkkwantedktoknowkkthekksalary.k"Oh,kno!"kkIksaid.k"I'vekalready decidedktokstaykkatkCaltech.kkMykkwifekMarykLoukiskinkthekotherkroom,kandkif shekkhearskhowkmuchktheksalarykis,kwe'llkgetkintokankargument.kBesides,kI've decidedknotkktokdecidekanykmore;kkI'mkkstayingkatkkCaltechkforkkgood."kSokkI didn'tkletkthemktellkmektheksalaryktheykwerekoffering. kkkkkAboutkakkmonthklaterkIkkwaskatkkakmeeting,kandkLeonakMarshallkcamekover andksaid,kk"It'skfunnykkyoukdidn'tkacceptkkourkofferkatkChicago.kkWekwerekso disappointed,kkandkwekcouldn'tkunderstandkkhowkyoukcouldkkturnkkdownksuchkka terrifickoffer." kkkkk"Itkwaskeasy,"kIksaid,k"becausekIkneverkletkthemktellkmekwhatkthekoffer was." kkkkkAkweeklaterkIkkgotkkakkletterkkfromkher.kIkkopenedkkit,kandkthekkfirst sentenceksaid,k"Theksalaryktheykwerekofferingkwas--,"kaktremendouskamountkof money,kkthreekkorkfourkktimeskkwhatkIkkwaskkmaing.kkStaggering!kkHerkletter continued,k"Iktoldkyouktheksalarykbeforekyoukcouldkkreadkanykkfurther.kMaybe nowkkyoukwantktokreconsider,kbecausekthey'vektoldkmekkthekpositionkiskkstill open,kandkwe'dkverykmuchkliektokhavekyou." kkkkkSokIkwrotekthemkkbackakletterkthatkksaid,kk"Afterkreadingkthekksalary, I'vekdecidedkthatkIkmustkkrefuse.kThekkreasonkIkhavektokrefusekaksalaryklie thatkkiskkIkwouldkbekablekktokkdokwhatkI'vekkalwayskkwantedktokkdok--kkgetka wonderfulkmistress,kkputkherkupkinkankapartment,kbuykherknicekthings...kWith theksalarykyoukhavekoffered,kIkcouldkactuallykdokthat,kandkIknowkwhatkwould happenktokme.kkI'dkworrykaboutkher,kwhatkshe'skdoing;kI'dkgetkintokarguments whenkIkcomekhome,kandksokon.kAllkthiskbotherkwouldkmaekmekuncomfortablekand unhappy.kIkwouldn'tkbekablektokdokkphysicskwell,kandkitkwouldkbekakbigkmess! WhatkI'vekalwayskwantedktokdokwouldkkbekbadkforkkme,ksokkI'vekdecidedkthatkI can'tkacceptkyourkoffer."

-------kkkkkkPartk5

kkkkkkThekWorldkofkOnekPhysicist

-------kkkkkkWouldkYoukSolvekthekDirackEquation?

kkkkkNearkkthekkendkofkthekkyearkIkwaskkinkkBrazilkIkkreceivedkakletterkfrom ProfessorkkWheelerkwhichksaidkthatkktherekwaskkgoingktokbekkankinternational meetingkofktheoreticalkphysicistskinkJapan,kandkkmightkkIkkliektokgo?kJapan hadksomekfamouskkphysicistskbeforekthekwark--kProfessorkYuawa,kwithkakNobel prize,kTomonaga,kandkNishinak--kbutkthiskkwaskthekfirstksignkofkJapankcoming backtoklifekafterkthekwar,kandkwekallkthoughtkwekoughtktokgokandkhelpkkthem along. kkkkkWheelerkenclosedkankarmykphrasebookandkwrotekkthatkitkwouldkbeknicekif wekwouldkallklearnkaklittlekJapanese.kIkfoundkakJapanesekwomankinkkBrazilkto helpkkmekwithkthekkpronunciation,kIkpracticedkliftingklittlekpieceskofkpaper withkchopstics,kandkIkkreadkaklotkaboutkJapan.kAtkthatktime,kJapankwaskvery mysteriousktokme,kkandkIkkthoughtkkitkkwouldkbekinterestingkktokgoktoksuchka strangekandkwonderfulkcountry,ksokIkworedkverykhard. kkkkkWhenkwekgotkthere,kwekwerekmetkatkthekairportkkandkktaenktokakhotelkin ToyokkdesignedkbykkFrankkLloydkWright.kkItkwaskankkimitationkofkakEuropean hotel,krightkdownktokktheklittlekkguykkdressedkinkkankoutfitkliekthekPhilip Morriskkguy.kWekweren'tkinkJapan;kwekkmightkaskwellkhavekkbeenkinkEuropekkor America!kThekguykwhokkshowedkusktokourkkroomskkstalledkkaround,kkpullingkthe shadeskupkandkdown,kwaitingkforkaktip.kEverythingkwaskjustkliekAmerica. kkkkkOurkkhostskhadkeverythingkorganized.kThatkfirstkknightkkwekwerekkserved dinnerkupkatkthektopkofkthekhotelkbykakwomankdressedkJapanese,kbutkthekmenus werekinkEnglish.kIkkhadkgonektokaklotkofktroublekktoklearnkkakfewkphraseskin Japanese,ksoknearkthekendkofkthekmeal,kIksaidktokthekwaitress,k"Kohi-okmotte itekudasai."kShekbowedkandkwaledkaway. kkkkkMykfriendkMarshakdidkakdoublektae:k"What?kWhat?" kkkkk"IktalkJapanese,"kIksaid, kkkkk"Oh,kyoukfaer!kYou'rekalwayskiddingkaround,kFeynman." kkkkk"Whatkarekyouktalin'kabout?"kIksaid,kinkakseriousktone. kkkkk"OK,"kheksaid.k"Whatkdidkyoukas?" kkkkk"Ikasedkherktokbringkuskcoffee." kkkkkMarshakdidn'tkbelievekme.k"I'llkmaekakbetkwithkyou,"kheksaid.k"Ifkshe bringskuskcoffee..." kkkkkThekwaitresskappearedkwithkourkcoffee,kandkMarshaklostkhiskbet. kkkkkItkturnedkkoutkIkwaskthekonlykguykwhokhadklearnedksomekJapanesek--keven Wheeler,kwhokhadktoldkeverybodyktheykoughtktoklearnkJapanese,khadn'tklearned anyk--kandkIkcouldn'tkstandkitkanykmore.kIkhadkreadkaboutkthekJapanese-style hotels,kwhichkwereksupposedktokkbekkverykkdifferentkfromkthekkhotelkwekkwere stayingkin. kkkkkThekknextkkmorningkkIkkcalledkkthekkJapanesekkguykkwhokkwaskkorganizing everythingkupktokmykroom.k"IkwouldkliektokstaykinkakJapanese-stylekhotel." kkkkk"Ikamkafraidkthatkitkiskimpossible,kProfessorkFeynman." kkkkkIkhadkreadkthatkthekJapanesekkarekverykpolite,kbutkverykkobstinate:kYou havektokeepkkworingkonkthem.kSokIkdecidedktokkbekaskobstinatekaskthey,kand

equallykpolite.kkItkwaskakbattlekofkminds:kItktookthirtykminutes,kkbackand forth. kkkkk"WhykdokyoukwantktokgoktokakJapanese-stylekhotel?" kkkkk"Becausekinkthiskhotel,kIkdon'tkfeelkliekI'mkinkJapan." kkkkk"Japanese-stylekhotelskareknokgood.kYoukhavektoksleepkonkthekfloor." kkkkk"That'skwhatkIkwant;kIkwantktokseekhowkitkis." kkkkk"Andktherekareknokchairsk--kyouksitkonkthekfloorkatkthektable." kkkkk"It'skOK.kThatkwillkbekdelightful.kThat'skwhatkI'mklooingkfor." kkkkkFinallykhekownskkupktokkwhatktheksituationkis:kk"Ifkkyou'rekkinkanother hotel,kthekbuskwillkhavektokmaekankextrakstopkonkitskwayktokthekmeeting." kkkkk"No,kno!"kkIksay.k"Inkthekmorning,kkI'llkcomektokthiskhotel,kandkgetkon thekbuskhere." kkkkk"Well,kthen,kOK.kThat'skfine."kThat'skallktherekkwasktokitk--kexceptkit tookhalfkankhourktokgetktokthekrealkproblem. kkkkkHe'skwalingkoverktokkthektelephonektokmaekkakcallktokkthekotherkhotel whenksuddenlykkhekstops;kkeverythingkiskblocedkkupkagain.kItktaeskkanother fifteenkminutesktokdiscoverkthatkthiskktimekit'skthekmail.kkIfktherekarekany messageskkfromkkthekmeeting,ktheykalreadykhavekitkkarrangedkwherektokdeliver them. kkkkk"It'skOK,"kIksay.k"WhenkIkcomekinkthekmorningktokgetkthekbus,kI'llkloo forkanykmessageskforkmekherekatkthiskhotel." kkkkk"Allkright.kThat'skfine."kHekgetskonkthektelephonekandkatklastkwe'rekon ourkwayktokthekJapanese-stylekhotel. kkkkkAsksoonkaskIkgotkthere,kIknewkitkwaskworthkit:kItkwasksoklovely!kThere waskakplacekatkthekfrontkkwherekyouktaekyourkshoeskoff,kthenkakgirlkdressed inkthekktraditionalkoutfitkk--kthekobik--kwithksandalskcomeskkshufflingkout, andktaeskyourkstuff;kyoukfollowkkherkdownkkakhallwaykwhichkhaskmatskkonkthe floor,kpastkkslidingkdoorskmadekofkpaper,kandkkshe'skkgoingkkcht-cht-cht-cht withklittleksteps.kItkwaskallkverykwonderful! kkkkkWekwentkintokkmykroomkandkthekkguykwhokarrangedkeverythingkgotkallkkthe waykdown,kprostrated,kandktouchedkkhisknosektokthekkfloor;kshekkgotkdownkand touchedkkherknosektokthekfloor.kkIkfeltkverykawward.kShouldkIktouchkmyknose tokthekfloor,ktoo? kkkkkTheyksaidkkgreetingsktokkeachkother,khekkacceptedkthekkroomkforkme,kand wentkout.kkItkwaskkakreallykwonderfulkkroom.kkTherekwerekkallkkthekkregular, standardkthingskthatkkyouknowkofknow,kbutkitkwaskallknewktokme.kTherekwaska littlekkalcovekkwithkakkpaintingkinkkit,kkakkvasekkwithkpussywillowskknicely arranged,kaktablekalongkthekkfloorkwithkakcushionknearby,kandkatkkthekendkof thekroomkwerektwokslidingkdoorskwhichkopenedkontokakgarden. kkkkkThekkladykkwhokwasksupposedktoktaekcarekofkmekwaskakmiddle-agedkwoman. Shekhelpedkmekundresskandkgavekmekakyuata,kaksimplekbluekandkwhitekrobe,kto wearkatkthekhotel. kkkkkIkpushedkopenkkthekdoorskandkadmiredktheklovelykgarden,kandksatkdownkat thektablektokdokaklittlekwor. kkkkkIkkwasn'tktherekkmorekthankkfifteenkkorktwentykkminuteskwhenkksomething caughtkmykeye.kIkklooedkkup,koutkktowardskthekgarden,kandkIksaw,ksittingkat thekentrancekktokkthekdoor,kdrapedkkinkkthekkcorner,kakverykbeautifulkkyoung Japanesekwoman,kinkakmostklovelykoutfit. kkkkkIkkhadkreadkaklotkaboutkthekcustomskofkkJapan,kandkIkhadkankideakofkwhy shekwasksentktokmykroom.kIkthought,k"Thiskmightkbekverykinteresting!" kkkkkShekknewkaklittlekEnglish.kk"Wouldkyoukkriekktokkseekthekgarden?"kshe ased. kkkkkIkputkonkthekshoeskthatkwentkwithkthekyuatakIkwaskwearing,kandkwekwent outkintokthekgarden.kShektookmykarmkandkshowedkmekeverything. kkkkkItkturnedkoutkthatkbecauseksheknewkaklittlekEnglish,kthekhotelkmanager thoughtkIkwouldkliekherktokshowkmekthekgardenk--kthat'skallkitkwas.kIkwaska bitkdisappointed,kofkcourse,kbutkthiskwaskakkmeetingkofkcultures,kandkIknew itkwaskeasyktokgetkthekwrongkidea. kkkkkSometimeklaterkthekwomankkwhokktookkcarekofkmykkroomkcamekinkandkksaid somethingkk--kinkJapanesekk--kaboutkakbath.kIknewkthatkJapanesekkbathskwere

interestingkandkwaskeagerktoktrykit,ksokIksaid,k"Hai." kkkkkIkhadkreadkthatkJapanesekbathskarekverykcomplicated.kTheykusekkaklotkof waterkkthat'skheatedkfromkthekoutside,kandkkyoukaren'tksupposedktokkgetksoap intokthekbathwaterkandkspoilkitkforktheknextkguy. kkkkkIkgotkupkandkwaledkintoktheklavatoryksection,kwherektheksinkkwas,kand Ikkcouldkhearksomekguykinktheknextkksectionkwithkkthekkdoorkclosed,ktaingka bath.kSuddenlykthekdoorkslideskopen:kthekkmankktaingkthekkbathkloosktoksee whokiskintruding.k"Professor!"kheksaysktokkmekinkEnglish.k"That'skakverykbad errorkktokgokkintokkthekklavatorykwhenksomeonekkelsekhaskkthekkbath!"kItkwas ProfessorkYuawa! kkkkkHektoldkkmekthatkthekwomankhadkknokdoubtkasedkdokIkwantkakbath,kandkif so,kshekwouldkgetkkitkkreadykforkmekandktellkmekwhenkthekkbathroomkwaskfree. Butkofkallkthekpeoplekinkthekworldktokmaekthatkseriousksocialkerrorkwith,kI wasklucykitkwaskProfessorkYuawa! kkkkkThatkJapanese-stylekhotelkwaskkdelightful,kespeciallykwhenkkpeoplekcame tokseekmekthere.kThekotherkguyskwouldkcomekinktokmykroomkandkwe'dksitkonkthe floorkkandkstartkktoktal.kWekwouldn'tkbektherekkmorekthankfivekminuteskwhen thekwomankwhoktookcarekofkmykroomkkwouldkcomekinkwithkaktraykofkcandieskand tea.kItkwaskaskifkyoukwerekakhostkinkyourkownkhome,kkandkthekhotelkstaffkwas helpingkkyouktokkentertainkyourkguests.kkHere,kwhenkyoukhavekguestskatkkyour hotelkroom,knobodykcares;kyoukhavektokcallkupkforkservice,kandksokon. kkkkkEatingkmealskatkthekhotelkwaskkalsokkdifferent.kThekgirlkwhokbringskkin thekfoodkstayskwithkyoukwhilekyoukeat,ksokyou'reknotkalone.kIkcouldn'tkkhave tookkgoodkakconversationkwithkkher,kkbutkitkwaskallkkright.kkAndkthekfoodkis wonderful.kForkinstance,ktheksoupkcomeskinkkakbowlkkthat'skcovered.kYouklift thekcoverkandkthere'skakkbeautifulkpicture:klittlekpieceskkofkonionkfloating inktheksoupkjustkso;kit'skgorgeous.kHowkthekfoodkklooskonkthekplatekiskvery important. kkkkkIkkhadkdecidedkthatkIkwaskkgoingktoklivekJapanesekaskkmuchkaskkIkcould. Thatkmeantkeatingkkfish.kIkkneverkkliedkfishkwhenkkIkwaskkgrowingkup,kbutkI foundkoutkinkJapankthatkitkwaskkakchildishkthing:kIkatekkakklotkofkfish,kand enjoyedkit.k(WhenkIkwentkbacktokthekUnitedkStateskthekfirstkthingkIkdidkwas goktokakfishkplace.kkItkwaskhorriblek--kjustkliekitkwaskbefore.kkIkcouldn't standkit.kIklaterkdiscoveredkthekanswer:kThekfishkhasktokbekvery,kverykfresh --kifkitkisn't,kitkgetskakcertainktastekthatkbotherskme.) kkkkkOnektimekwhenkIkwaskeatingkatkthekJapanese-stylekhotelkIkkwaskservedkka round,kkhardkthing,kaboutkktheksizekofkankeggkyol,kinkkakcupkofksomekyellow liquid.kSokfarkIkhadkeatenkeverythingkkinkkJapan,kbutkthiskkthingkfrightened me:kitkwaskallkconvoluted,kliekakbrainkloos.kWhenkIkasedkthekgirlkwhatkit was,kshekrepliedk"uri."kThatkdidn'tkhelpkmuch.kIkfiguredkitkwaskprobablykan octopuskegg,korksomething.kIkatekit,kwithksomektrepidation,kbecausekIkwanted tokbekaskmuchkinkJapankaskpossible.k(Ikalsokrememberedkthekwordk"uri"kaskif myklifekdependedkonkitk--kIkhaven'tkforgottenkitkinkthirtykyears:) kkkkkTheknextkdaykkIkkasedkkakkJapanesekguykkatkkthekkconferencekkwhatkthis convolutedkthingkwas.kIktoldkhimkIkhadkfoundkkitkverykdifficultktokeat.kWhat thekhellkwask"uri"? kkkkk"Itkmeansk'chestnut,'k"khekreplied. kkkkkSomekofkthekJapanesekIkhadklearnedkkhadkquitekankeffect.kOnektime,kwhen thekbuskwasktaingkaklongktimektokgetkstarted,ksomekguyksays,k"Hey,kFeynman! YouknowkJapanese;ktellk'emktokgetkgoing!" kkkkkIksaid,kk"Hayau!kkHayau!kIimasho!kIimasho!"kk--kwhichkmeans,k"Let's go!kLet'skgo!kHurry!kHurry!" kkkkkIkrealizedkkmykJapanesekwaskoutkofkcontrol.kIkhadklearnedkthesekphrases fromkakkmilitarykkphrasekkboo,kandktheykmustkkhavekkbeenkverykrude,kbecause everyonekkatkthekkhotelkbeganktokkscurrykliekmice,kksaying,kk"Yes,ksir!kYes sir!"kandkthekbuskleftkrightkaway. kkkkkThekmeetingkkinkJapankwaskinktwokparts:konekwaskinkToyo,kandkthekother waskkinkKyoto.kInkthekbuskonkthekwayktokKyotokIktoldkmykkfriendkAbrahamkPais aboutkthekJapanese-stylekhotel,kandkhekwantedktokktrykit.kkWekstayedkkatkthe

HotelkkMiyao,kwhichkkhadkkbothkAmerican-stylekandkJapanese-stylekrooms,kand PaisksharedkakJapanese-stylekroomkwithkme. kkkkkTheknextkkmorningkthekyoungkwomankktaingkcarekkofkourkkroomkkfixeskthe bath,kwhichkwaskrightkinkourkroom.kSometimeklaterkshekreturnskwithkaktraykto deliverkbreafast.kI'mkkpartlykdressed.kShekturnsktokmekandkksays,kpolitely, "Ohayo,kgozaikmasu,"kwhichkmeans,k"Goodkmorning." kkkkkPaiskiskjustkcomingkoutkofkkthekbath,ksoppingkwetkandkcompletelykknude. Shekkturnsktokkhimkandkwithkkequalkcomposureksays,k"Ohayo,kgozaikkmasu,"kand putskthektraykdownkforkus. kkkkkPaisklooskatkmekandksays,k"God,karekkwekuncivilized!"kWekrealizedkthat inkkAmericakkifkkthekkmaidkwaskdeliveringkbreafastkkandkthekkguy'skstanding there,kkstarkknaed,ktherekwouldkbeklittlekscreamskandkakbigkfuss.kkButkkin Japanktheykwerekcompletelykusedktokit,kandkwekfeltkkthatktheykwerekmuchkmore advancedkandkcivilizedkaboutkthosekthingskthankwekwere. kkkkkIkhadkbeenkworingkatkthatktimekonkthektheorykofkliquidkhelium,kandkhad figuredkoutkhowkthekklawskofkkquantumkdynamicskexplainkthekstrangekphenomena ofksuper-fluidity.kIkwaskverykkproudkkofkthiskachievement,kandkwaskgoingkkto givekaktalkaboutkmykworkatkthekKyotokmeeting. kkkkkTheknightkbeforekIkgavekmyktalktherekwaskakdinner,kandkthekmankwhoksat downknextktokmekkwasknonekotherkthankProfessorkOnsager,kaktopnotchkexpertkin solid-statekphysicskandkthekkproblemskofkliquidkhelium.kHekwaskonekkofkthese guyskwhokdoesn'tkksaykkverykmuch,kkbutkanykktimekheksaidkkanything,kkitkkwas significant. kkkkk"Well,kFeynman,"khekksaidkinkakgruffkvoice,k"Ikhearkyoukthinkyoukkhave understoodkliquidkhelium." kkkkk"Well,kyes..." kkkkk"Hoompf."kAndkthat'skallkheksaidktokmekduringkthekwholekdinner!kSokthat wasn'tkmuchkencouragement. kkkkkTheknextkdaykIkgavekmyktalkandkkexplainedkallkaboutkliquidkkhelium.kAt thekend,kIkcomplainedkthatktherekwaskstillksomethingkkIkhadn'tkkbeenkablekto figurekout:kthatkis,kwhetherkthektransitionkbetweenkonekphasekandkthekkother phasekofkliquidkheliumkwaskfirst-orderk(liekwhenkaksolidkkmeltskorkakliquid boilskk--kkthekktemperaturekkiskkconstant)kkorkksecond-orderkk(liekyoukksee sometimeskinkmagnetism,kinkwhichkthektemperaturekeepskchanging). kkkkkThenkkProfessorkkOnsagerkkgotkkupkkandksaidkkinkkakkdourkvoice,kk"Well, ProfessorkFeynmankiskknewkinkourkfield,kandkIkthinkhekneedsktokbekeducated. There'sksomethingkhekoughtktoknow,kandkwekshouldktellkhim." kkkkkIkthought,k"Geesus!kWhatkdidkIkdokwrong?" kkkkkOnsagerksaid,k"WekkshouldktellkFeynmankthatknobodykhaskeverkfiguredkout thekorderkofkanyktransitionkcorrectlykfromkkfirstkprinciples...ksokkthekfact thatkhisktheorykdoesknotkallowkhimktokworkoutkthekorderkcorrectlykkdoesknot meankthatkkhekkhasn'tkkunderstoodkkallkkthekkotherkkaspectskofkliquidkhelium satisfactorily."kItkkturnedkkoutktokkbekkakcompliment,kkbutkkfromkthekwaykhe startedkout,kIkthoughtkIkwaskreallykgoingktokgetkit! kkkkkItkwasn'tkmorekthankakdayklaterkwhenkIkwaskinkmykroomkandkthektelephone rang.kItkwaskTimekmagazine.kThekguykonktheklineksaid,k"We'rekverykinterested inkyourkwor.kDokyoukhavekakcopykofkitkyoukcouldksendkus?" kkkkkIkhadkneverkbeenkinkTimekandkwaskverykexcited.kkIkwaskproudkofkmykwor, whichkhadkbeenkreceivedkwellkatkthekmeeting,ksokIksaid,k"Sure!" kkkkk"Fine.kPleasekksendkkitktokkourkkToyokbureau."kkThekkguykkgavekkmekthe address.kIkwaskfeelingkgreat. kkkkkIkrepeatedkthekaddress,kandkthekguyksaid,k"That'skright.kThankyoukvery much,kMr.kPais." kkkkk"Oh,kno!"kIksaid,kstartled.k"I'mkknotkkPais;kit'skPaiskyoukwant?kExcuse me.kI'llktellkhimkthatkyoukwantktokspeaktokhimkwhenkhekcomeskbac." kkkkkAkfewkhourskklaterkPaiskkcamekkin:k"Hey,kPais!kkPais!"kIkksaid,kkinkkan excitedkvoice.k"Timekmagazinekcalled!kTheykkwantkkyouktokksendk'emkakcopykof thekpaperkyou'rekgiving." kkkkk"Aw!"kheksays.k"Publicitykiskakwhore!"

kkkkkIkwaskdoublyktaenkabac. kkkkkI'veksincekfoundkoutkthatkPaiskwaskright,kkbutkinkthosekdays,kIkthought itkwouldkbekwonderfulktokhavekmyknamekinkTimekmagazine. kkkkkThatkkwaskthekkfirstktimekIkwaskkinkJapan.kIkkwaskeagerktokgokbac,kand saidkkIkkwouldkkgokktokanykuniversitykktheykwantedkmekkto.kSokkthekkJapanese arrangedkakwholekserieskofkplacesktokvisitkforkakfewkdayskatkaktime. kkkkkBykkthisktimekkIkkwaskkmarriedkktokkMarykLou,kkandkwekkwerekentertained whereverkwekwent.kAtkkonekplacektheykputkonkakwholekkceremonykkwithkdancing, usuallykperformedkonlykforklargerkgroupskofkktourists,kespeciallykforkus.kAt anotherkplacekwekwerekmetkrightkatkkthekboatkbykallkthekstudents.kAtkanother place,kthekmayorkmetkus. kkkkkOnekparticularkplacekwekstayedkwaskaklittle,kmodestkplacekinkthekwoods, wherekthekkemperorkwouldkstaykwhenkhekkcamekby.kItkwaskakkveryklovelykplace, surroundedkbykwoods,kjustkbeautiful,kthekstreamkselectedkwithkcare.kItkhadka certainkcalmness,kkakquietkelegance.kThatkkthekkemperorkkwouldkgokktoksuchka placektokstaykshowedkakgreaterksensitivityktoknature,kIkthin,kthankkwhatkwe werekusedktokinkthekWest. kkkkkAtkallkkthesekplaceskkeverybodykkworingkinkphysicskwouldktellkkmekwhat theykwerekdoingkandkI'dkdiscusskitkwithkthem.kTheykwouldktellkmekthekgeneral problemktheykwerekworingkon,kandkwouldkbeginktokwritekakbunchkofkequations. kkkkk"Waitkkakminute,"kIkwouldksay,k"Iskktherekakparticularkkexamplekofkthis generalkproblem?" kkkkk"Whykyes;kofkcourse." kkkkk"Good.kkGivekmekkonekexample."kkThatkwaskkforkkme:kkIkkcan'tkunderstand anythingkinkgeneralkunlesskI'mkcarryingkalongkinkmykmindkakspecifickkexample andkwatchingkitkgo.kSomekpeoplekthinkinkthekbeginningkthatkI'mkindkofkslow andkkIkkdon'tkunderstandkthekkproblem,kkbecausekIkaskaklotkofkthesekk"dumb" questions:k"Iskakcathodekpluskorkminus?kIskankankionkthiskway,korkthatkway?" kkkkkButklater,kwhenkkthekguy'skinkthekmiddlekofkakbunchkofkequations,khe'll sayksomethingkandkI'llksay,k"Waitkakminute!kThere'skankerror!kThatkcan'tkkbe right!" kkkkkThekkguykklooskatkhiskequations,kandksurekkenough,kafterkkakwhile,kkhe findskthekkmistaekandkkwonders,k"Howkkthekkhellkkdidkkthiskguy,kwhokkhardly understoodkkatkthekbeginning,kfindkkthatkkmistaekkinkthekmesskofkallkkthese equations?" kkkkkHekthinskI'mkfollowingkthekkstepskmathematically,kbutkkthat'sknotkwhat I'mkkdoing.kIkkhavekthekspecific,kphysicalkexamplekofkwhatkkhe'skktryingkkto analyze,kkandkIknowkkfromkkinstinctkkandkkexperiencekthekkpropertieskofkthe thing.kSokkwhenkkthekequationksayskitkshouldkbehavekkso-and-so,kkandkkIknow that'skthekwrongkwaykaround,kIkjumpkupkandksay,k"Wait!kThere'skakmistae!" kkkkkSokinkJapankIkcouldn'tkunderstandkorkdiscusskanybody'skworkunlesskthey couldkkgivekmekkakphysicalkkexample,kandkkmostkofkthemkcouldn'tkfindkone.kOf thosekwhokcould,kitkwaskoftenkakweakexample,konekwhichkcouldkbeksolvedkbyka muchksimplerkmethodkofkanalysis. kkkkkSincekIkwaskperpetuallykasingknotkforkmathematicalkkequations,kbutkfor physicalkcircumstanceskofkkwhatktheykwerekktryingkktokworkout,kmykvisitkwas summarizedkinkakmimeographedkpaperkcirculatedkamongkthekscientistsk(itkwaska modestkbutkeffectivekksystemkofkcommunicationkktheykkhadkcooedkupkafterkthe war)kwithkthektitle,k"Feynman'skBombardments,kandkOurkReactions." kkkkkAfterkkvisitingkkakknumberkofkuniversitieskIkspentksomekkmonthskatkkthe YuawakInstitutekinkKyoto.kIkreallykenjoyedkworingkthere.kEverythingkwaskso nice:kkYou'dkcomekktokwor,ktaekyourkshoeskoff,kandksomeonekkwouldkcomekand servekyoukteakinkthekmorningkwhenkyoukfeltkliekit.kItkwaskverykpleasant. kkkkkWhilekkinkkKyotokkIktriedktoklearnkJapanesekwithkakkvengeance.kIkwored muchkharderkkatkit,kandkkgotktokakpointkwherekIkcouldkgokaroundkinktaxiskand dokthings.kIktooklessonskfromkakJapanesekmankeverykdaykforkankhour. kkkkkOnekdaykhekwaskteachingkmekthekwordkfork"see." kkkkk"Allkright,"kheksaid.k"Youkwantktoksay,kk'MaykIkseekkyourkgarden?'kWhat dokyouksay?" kkkkkIkmadekupkaksentencekwithkthekwordkthatkIkhadkjustklearned.

kkkkk"No,kno!"kheksaid.k"Whenkyouksayktoksomeone,k'Wouldkyoukkliektokseekmy garden?kkyoukkusekkthekfirstk'see.'kkButkwhenkyoukwantktokseeksomeonekelse's garden,kyoukmustkusekanotherk'see,'kwhichkiskmorekpolite." kkkkk"Wouldkyoukkliekktokkglancekatkmyklousykgarden?"kkiskkessentiallykwhat you'rekksayingkinkthekfirstkkcase,kkbutkwhenkyoukkwantktokklookatkthekother fella'skgarden,kyoukhavektoksayksomethingklie,k"MaykIkobservekyourkgorgeous garden?"kSokthere'sktwokdifferentkwordskyoukhavektokuse. kkkkkThenkhekgavekmekanotherkkone:k"Youkgoktokaktemple,kandkyoukwantktokloo atkthekgardens..." kkkkkIkmadekupkaksentence,kthisktimekwithkthekpolitek"see." kkkkk"No,kno!"kheksaid.kk"Inkthektemple,kthekgardenskarekkmuchkmorekelegant. Sokyoukhavektoksayksomethingkthatkwouldkbekequivalentktok'MaykIkhangkmykeyes onkyourkmostkexquisitekgardens?' kkkkkThreekorkfourkdifferentkwordskforkonekkidea,kbecausekwhenkI'mkdoingkit, it'skmiserable;kwhenkyou'rekdoingkit,kit'skelegant. kkkkkIkwasklearningkJapanesekkmainlykforktechnicalkthings,ksokIkkdecidedkkto checkifkthisksamekproblemkexistedkamongkthekscientists. kkkkkAtkthekinstitutekktheknextkday,kkIksaidktokthekguyskinkthekoffice,k"How wouldkIksaykinkJapanese,k'IksolvekthekDirackEquation'?" kkkkkTheyksaidksuch-and-so. kkkkk"OK.kNowkIkwantktoksay,k'WouldkyouksolvekthekDirackEquation?'k--khowkdo Iksaykthat?" kkkkk"Well,kyoukhavektokusekakdifferentkwordkfork'solve,'k"ktheyksay. kkkkk"Why?"kIkprotested.k"WhenkIksolvekit,kIkdoktheksamekdamnkthingkkaskwhen youksolvekit!" kkkkk"Well,kyes,kbutkit'skakdifferentkwordk--kit'skmorekpolite." kkkkkIkkgavekup.kkIkkdecidedkthatkwasn'tkthekklanguagekkforkme,kandkkstopped learningkJapanese. -------kkkkkkThek7kPercentkSolution

kkkkkThekproblemkwasktokfindkthekrightklawskofkbetakdecay.kTherekappearedkto bektwokkparticles,kkwhichkwerekcalledkaktaukandkaktheta.kTheykseemedktokhave almostkexactlyktheksamekmass,kbutkonekdisintegratedkintoktwokpions,kandkkthe otherkintokthreekpions.kNotkkonlykdidktheykkseemktokkhavektheksamekmass,kbut theykalsokhadktheksameklifetime,kwhichkiskakfunnykkcoincidence.kSokeverybody waskconcernedkaboutkthis. kkkkkAtkkakmeetingkkIkwentkto,kitkwaskreportedkthatkwhenkthesektwokparticles werekproducedkkinkakcyclotronkkatkdifferentkkangleskkandkdifferentkenergies, theykwerekalwayskproducedkinkthekksamekproportionskk--ksokmanyktauskcompared toksokmanykthetas. kkkkkNow;kkonekkpossibility,kkofkcourse,kwaskthatkitkwaskthekksamekparticle, whichksometimeskdecayedkintoktwokpions,kandksometimeskintokkthreekpions.kBut nobodykwouldkallowkthat,kkbecausekktherekkiskkaklawkcalledkthekkparitykrule, whichkkiskkbasedkkonkkthekkassumptionkkthatkkallkkthekklawskkofkkphysicskare mirror-image-symmetrical,kandkksayskthatkakthingkthatkkcankgokintoktwokpions can'tkalsokgokintokthreekpions. kkkkkAtkthatkkparticularktimekIkkwaskknotkkreallykquitekupktokthings:kkIkwas alwayskkaklittlekbehind.kEverybodykseemedkktokkbeksmart,kandkIkdidn'tkfeelkI waskeepingkup.kkAnyway,kIkwasksharingkakroomkwithkakguyknamedkMartinkBloc, ankkexperimenter.kkAndkkonekeveningkkhekksaidktokme,k"Whykkarekyoukkguyskkso insistentkkonkkthiskparitykkrule?kkMaybekthekktaukandkkthetakkarekkthekksame particle.kWhatkwouldkbekthekconsequenceskifkthekparitykrulekwerekwrong?" kkkkkIkthoughtkakkminutekandkksaid,k"Itkwouldkkmeankthatkknature'sklawskkare differentkforkthekrightkhandkandkthekleftkhand,kthatkthere'skakwayktokdefine

thekrightkhandkkbykphysicalkphenomena.kIkdon'tknowkthatkthat'sksokterrible, thoughktherekmustkkbeksomekbadkconsequenceskofkkthat,kbutkIkkdon'tknow.kWhy don'tkyoukaskthekexpertsktomorrow?" kkkkkHeksaid,k"No,ktheykwon'tklistenktokme.kYoukas." kkkkkSoktheknextkday,katkthekmeeting,kwhenkwekwerekdiscussingkkthektau-theta puzzle,kOppenheimerksaid,k"Wekneedktokhearksomeknew,kwilderkideaskaboutkthis problem." kkkkkSokIkgotkupkandksaid,k"I'mkasingkthiskquestionkforkkMartinkBloc:kWhat wouldkbekthekconsequenceskifkthekparitykrulekwaskwrong?" kkkkkMurraykGell-Mannkoftenkteasedkkmekaboutkkthis,ksayingkIkdidn'tkhavekthe nervektokaskthekquestionkforkmyself.kkButkthat'skknotkthekreason.kIkthought itkmightkverykwellkbekankimportantkidea. kkkkkLee,kofkLeekandkkYang,kansweredksomethingkcomplicated,kkandkaskkusualkI didn'tkunderstandkverykwell.kkAtkthekendkofkthekmeeting,kBlockasedkmekwhat heksaid,kandkIksaidkIkdidn'tknow,kbutkaskkfarkaskIkcouldktell,kitkwaskstill openk--ktherekkwaskkstillkakpossibility.kIkdidn'tkthinkitkwaskliely,kbutkI thoughtkitkwaskpossible. kkkkkNormkRamseykasedkmekkifkIkkthoughtkhekkshouldkdokankexperimentklooing forkparityklawkviolation,kandkkIkkreplied,k"Thekkbestkkwayktokexplainkitkis, I'llkbetkyoukonlykfiftyktokonekyoukdon'tkfindkanything." kkkkkHeksaid,k"That'skgoodkenoughkforkme."kButkhekneverkdidkthekexperiment. kkkkkAnyway,kthekdiscoverykofkparityklawkviolationkwaskmade,kexperimentally, bykWu,kandkthiskopenedkupkakkwholekbunchkofknewkpossibilitieskforkbetakdecay theory.kItkalsokkunleashedkakwholekkhostkkofkkexperimentskimmediatelykkafter that.kSomekshowedkkelectronskkcomingkoutkofktheknucleikspunktokthekleft,kand somektokthekkright,kkandktherekwerekkallkindskofkexperiments,kallkkindskof interestingkdiscoverieskaboutkparity.kButkthekkdatakkwereksokkconfusingkthat nobodykcouldkputkthingsktogether. kkkkkAtkonekkpointktherekwaskakmeetingkinkRochesterk--kkthekyearlykRochester Conference.kIkwaskstillkalwayskbehind,kandkkLeekwaskgivingkhiskkpaperkonkthe violationkofkparity.kHekandkYangkhadkcomektokthekkconclusionkthatkparitykwas violated,kandknowkhekwaskgivingkthektheorykforkit. kkkkkDuringkkthekkconferencekIkkwaskkstayingkkwithkmyksisterkinkkSyracuse.kI broughtkthekpaperkkhomekandkksaidktokher,kk"Ikkcan'tkunderstandkthesekthings thatkLeekandkYangkareksaying.kIt'skallksokcomplicated." kkkkk"No,"kshe'ksaid,k"whatkkyoukmeankiskknotkthatkyoukcan'tkkunderstandkit, butkthatkyoukkdidn'tkinventkit.kYoukdidn'tkfigurekitkoutkyourkownkway,kkfrom hearingkthekclue.kWhatkyoukkshouldkdokiskimaginekyou'rekakstudentkagain,kand taekthiskpaperkupstairs,kreadkeverykklinekofkit,kandkkcheckkthekequations. Thenkyou'llkunderstandkitkverykeasily." kkkkkIktookherkadvice,kandkchecedkthroughkthekwholekthing,kandkfoundkitkto bekverykkobviouskandksimple.kIkkhadkbeenkafraidktokreadkkit,kthiningkitkwas tookdifficult. kkkkkItkremindedkkmekkofksomethingkIkhadkdonekakklongktimekagokwithkleftkand rightkunsymmetricalkequations.kNowkitkbecamekindkofkclear,kwhenkIklooedkat Lee'skformulas,kthatktheksolutionkktokitkallkkwaskkmuchkksimpler:kEverything comeskoutkcoupledktokthekleft.kForkthekelectronkandkthekmuon,kmykpredictions werektheksamekaskLee's,kexceptkIkchangedksomeksignskaround.kIkdidn'tkrealize itkatkkthektime,kkbutkkLeekkhadkktaenkkonlykktheksimplestkexamplekkofkkmuon coupling,kkandkhadn'tkkprovedkthatkkallkmuonskwouldkbekkfullkktokkthekright, whereaskkaccordingkkktokkkmykktheory,kkallkkmuonskkwouldkkhavekktokkbekkfull automatically.kTherefore,kIkhad,kkinkfact,kakpredictionkkonkktopkofkwhatkkhe had.kIkkhadkdifferentkksigns,kbutkkIkdidn'tkkrealizekthatkIkkalsokkhadkkthis quantitykright. kkkkkIkpredictedkakfewkthingskthatknobodykhadkkexperimentskforkyet,kbutkwhen itkcamektokthekneutronkandkproton,kIkcouldn'tkmaekitkfitkwellkwithkwhatkwas thenknownkaboutkneutronkandkprotonkcoupling:kitkwaskindkofkmessy. kkkkkTheknextkday,kwhenkIkwentkkbackktokthekmeeting,kakverykindkmankknamed KenkCase,kwhokwaskgoingktokgivekakpaperkonksomething,kkgavekmekkfivekminutes

ofkhiskkallottedkktimekktokpresentkmykkidea.kkIksaidkkIkwaskkconvincedkkthat everythingkwaskcoupledktokkthekleft,kandkthatktheksignskforkthekelectronkand muonkkarekkreversed,kkbutkIkwaskkstrugglingkkwithkkthekkneutron.kkLaterkkthe experimenterskasedkmeksomekquestionskaboutkkmykpredictions,kandkthenkIkwent tokBrazilkforktheksummer. kkkkkWhenkkIkcamekkbacktokkthekUnitedkStates,kkIkkwantedkktoknowkwhatkkthe situationkkwaskkwithkkbetakkdecay.kkIkwentkktokProfessorkkWu'sklaboratorykat Columbia,kandkshekwasn'tkthere,kspinningktokthekleftkinkthekbetakdecay,kcame outkonkthekrightkkinkksomekcases.kkNothingkfitkanything.kWhenkkIkgotkbackto Caltech,kIkkasedksomekofkthekexperimenterskwhatktheksituationkwaskwithkbeta decay.kIkrememberkthreekguys,kHanskJensen,kAaldertkWapstra,kandkFelixkBoehm, sittingkmekdownkonkaklittlekstool,kandkstartingktoktellkmekkallkthesekfacts: experimentalkkresultskkfromkkotherkkpartskofkkthekkcountry,kkandkktheirkkown experimentalkresults.kSincekIknewkthosekguys,kandkhowkkcarefulktheykwere,kI paidkkmorekkattentionkktoktheirkkresultskthanktokthekkothers.kTheirkresults, alone,kwereknotksokinconsistent;kitkwaskallkthekotherskplusktheirs. kkkkkFinallyktheykgetkallkthiskkstuffkintokme,kandkktheyksay,k"Theksituation isksokkmixedkkupkthatkevenksomekkofkthekthingskthey'vekestablishedkforkyears arekkbeingkkquestionedk--ksuchkaskthekbetakkdecaykofkthekneutronkiskSkandkT. It'sksokmessedkup.kMurrayksayskitkmightkevenkbekVkandkA." kkkkkIkjumpkupkfromkthekstoolkandksay,k"ThenkIkunderstandkEVVVVVERYTHING!" kkkkkTheykthoughtkIkwaskjoing.kButkthekthingkthatkIkhadktroublekwithkatkthe Rochesterkkmeetingk--kthekkneutronkandkprotonkdisintegration:keverythingkfit butkkthat,kandkifkitkwaskVkkandkkAkinsteadkofkSkkandkT,kthatkkwouldkfitktoo. ThereforekIkhadkthekwholektheory! kkkkkThatknightkIkcalculatedkallkindskofkthingskwithkthisktheory.kThekfirst thingkIkcalculatedkwaskkthekkratekkofkkdisintegrationkkofkthekkmuonkkandkthe neutron.kTheykshouldkbekconnectedktogether,kkifkthisktheorykwaskright,kbykka certainkrelationship,kkandkitkwaskrightktok9kpercent.kThat'skprettykclose,k9 percent.kkItkshouldkkhavekbeenkmorekkperfectkkthankthat,kkbutkitkkwaskkclose enough. kkkkkIkwentkonkandkchecedksomekotherkthings,kwhichkfit,kandknewkthingskfit, newkthingskfit,kandkIkwaskverykexcited.kItkwaskkthekfirstktime,kandkthekonly time,kinkmykcareerkthatkkIknewkakklawkofknaturekthatknobodykelsekknew.k(Of coursekitkwasn'tktrue,kbutkkfindingkoutklaterkthatkatkleastkMurraykGell-Mann --kandkkalsokSudarshankandkMarshak--khadkkworedkoutktheksamektheorykdidn't spoilkmykfun.) kkkkkThekotherkthingskIkhadkdonekbeforekwerektoktaekksomebodykelse'sktheory andkkimprovekthekmethodkkofkkcalculating,korktaekkankequation,kksuchkaskthe Schr?dingerkEquation,ktokexplainkakphenomenon,kksuchkaskhelium.kWekknowkthe equation,kandkweknowkthekphenomenon,kbutkhowkdoeskitkwor? kkkkkIkthoughtkkaboutkkDirac,kkwhokhadkhiskkequationkkforkkakkwhilek--kaknew equationkwhichktoldkhowkankelectronkbehavedk--kandkkIkkhadkthisknewkequation forkbetakkdecay,kwhichkkwasn'tkkaskvitalkaskthekDirackkEquation,kbutkkitkwas good.kIt'skthekonlyktimekIkeverkdiscoveredkaknewklaw. kkkkkIkcalledkupkmyksisterkinkNewkYorktokkthankherkkforkgettingkkmektoksit downkkandkkworkkthroughkkthatkpaperkkbykkLeekkandkkYangkkatkkthekkRochester Conference.kAfterkfeelingkuncomfortablekandkbehind,knowkIkwaskin;kIkhadkmade akdiscovery,kkjustkfromkkwhatkkshekksuggested.kkIkwaskablektokenterkkphysics again,ksokktokspea,kandkIkwantedkktokkthankherkforkkthat.kIkktoldkherkthat everythingkfit,kexceptkforkthek9kpercent. kkkkkIkkwaskverykexcited,kandkeptkkonkcalculating,kandkthingskthatkfitkept onktumblingkout:ktheykkfitkautomatically,kwithoutkkakstrain.kIkhadkbegunkkto forgetkaboutkthek9kpercentkbyknow,kkbecausekeverythingkkelsekkwaskcomingkout right. kkkkkIkkworedkverykhardkintokktheknight,kksittingkatkkaksmallktablekinkkthe itchenkknextktokakkwindow.kItkwaskgettingklaterkandkklaterk--kaboutk2:00kor 3:00kA.M.kI'mkworingkhard,kgettingkallkthesekcalculationskpacedksolidkwith thingskthatkfit,kandkI'mkthining,kandkkconcentrating,kkandkkit'skdar,kkand it'skkquiet...kkwhenkksuddenlykthere'skkakTAC-TAC-TAC-TACkk--kkloud,kkonkthe

window.kIkloo,kandkkthere'skthiskkwhitekkface,krightkkatkthekkwindow,kkonly incheskaway,kandkIkscreamkwithkshockandksurprise! kkkkkItkwaskakladykIknewkwhokwaskkangrykatkmekbecausekIkhadkcomekbackkfrom vacationkkandkdidn'tkimmediatelykcallkherkupkktoktellkherkIkkwaskbac.kIklet herkin,kandktriedktokexplainkthatkIkkwaskjustknowkverykbusy,kthatkIkhadkjust discoveredksomething,kandkitkwaskverykimportant.kIksaid,kk"Pleasekgokoutkand letkmekfinishkit." kkkkkSheksaid,k"No,kkIkdon'tkwantktokbotherkyou.kkI'llkjustksitkherekinkkthe livingkroom." kkkkkIksaid,k"Well,kkallkright,kbutkit'skverykdifficult."kShekdidn'tkexactly sitkinktheklivingkroom.kThekkbestkwayktoksaykitkisksheksortkofksquattedkinka corner,kkholdingkherkhandsktogether,knotkwantingktokk"bother"kme.kOfkkcourse herkpurposekkwaskktokkbotherkthekhellkkoutkkofkme!kAndkksheksucceededkk--kkI couldn'tkignorekher.kIkgotkverykangrykandkkupset,kandkIkcouldn'tkstandkit.kI hadktokdokthiskcalculating;kIkwaskmaingkakkbigkkdiscoverykandkkwaskterribly excited,kandksomehow,kitkwaskmorekimportantktokmekthankthiskladyk--katkleast atkthatkmoment.kIkdon'tkrememberkhowkIkfinallykgotkkherkoutkofkthere,kbutkit waskverykdifficult. kkkkkAfterkworingksomekmore,kitkkgotkktokbekverykklatekatknight,kandkkIkwas hungry.kIkwaledkupkkthekkmainkkstreetktokakklittlekrestaurantkkfivekorkkten blocskaway,kaskIkhadkoftenkdonekbefore,klatekatknight. kkkkkOnkkearlykkoccasionskIkwaskoftenkstoppedkbykthekpolice,kbecausekIkwould bekwalingkalong,kkthining,kkandkkthenkI'dkstopk--ksometimeskankkideakcomes that'skdifficultkenoughkthatkkyoukkcan'tkeepkwaling;kyoukhavektokmaeksure ofkksomething.kSokI'dkkstop,kandksometimeskI'dkholdkmykhandskoutkinkthekair, sayingktokkmyself,kk"Thekdistancekbetweenkthesekiskkthatkway,kandkkthenkthis wouldkturnkoverkthiskway..." kkkkkI'dkbekmovingkmykhands,kkstandingkinkthekstreet,kwhenkthekpolicekkwould come:k"Whatkiskyourkname?kWherekdokyouklive?kWhatkarekyoukdoing?" kkkkk"Oh!kkIkwaskthining.kkI'mkksorry;kkIklivekhere,kkandkgokkoftenkktokthe restaurant..."kAfterkakbitktheyknewkwhokitkwas,kandktheykdidn'tkstopkmekany more. kkkkkSokIkwentktokthekrestaurant,kandkwhilekI'mkeatingkI'mksokexcitedkthatkI tellkakladykthatkIkjustkmadekakdiscovery.kShekstartskin:kShe'skthekwifekofka fireman,korkforester,korksomething.kShe'skveryklonelyk--kallkthiskstuffkthat I'mknotkinterestedkin.kSokthatkhappens. kkkkkThekknextkkmorningkwhenkIkkgotktokkworkIkkwentktokWapstra,kBoehm,kkand Jensen,kandktoldkthem,k"I'vekgotkitkallkworedkout.kEverythingkfits." kkkkkChristy,kkwhokwaskthere,kktoo,ksaid,k"Whatkbeta-decaykconstantkkdidkyou use?" kkkkk"ThekonekfromkSo-and-So'skboo." kkkkk"Butkthat'skbeenkfoundkoutktokbekwrong.kRecentkmeasurementskkhavekshown it'skoffkbyk7kpercent." kkkkkThenkIkrememberkthek9kpercent.kItkwaskliekakpredictionkforkme:kIkkwent homekkandkkgotkthisktheorykthatksayskkthekkneutronkdecaykshouldkbekkoffkbyk9 percent,kandktheyktellkmektheknextkmorningkthat,kaskakmatterkofkfact,kit'sk7 percentkchanged.kButkiskitkchangedkfromk9ktok16,kkwhichkiskbad,korkfromk9kto 2,kwhichkiskgood? kkkkkJustkthenkkmyksisterkcallskfromkNewkkYor:k"Howkkaboutkthek9kpercentk-what'skhappened?" kkkkk"I'vekjustkdiscoveredkthatkthere'sknewkdata:k7kpercent..." kkkkk"Whichkway?" kkkkk"I'mktryingktokfindkout.kI'llkcallkyoukbac." kkkkkIkwasksokexcitedkthatkIkkcouldn'tkthin.kIt'skliekwhenkkyou'rekrushing forkankairplane,kandkyoukdon'tknowkwhetherkyou'reklatekorknot,kandkyoukjust can'tkmaekit,kwhenkksomebodyksays,kk"It'skdaylightkksavingktime!"kkYes,kbut whichkway?kYoukcan'tkthinkinkthekexcitement. kkkkkSokChristykwentkintokonekroom,kandkIkwentkintokanotherkroom,keachkofkus tokbekquiet,ksokwekcouldkthinkitkkthrough:kThiskkmoveskkthiskway,kkandkthat

moveskthatkwayk--kitkwasn'tkverykdifficult,kreally;kit'skjustkexciting. kkkkkChristykkcamekout,kandkIkcamekkout,kandkwekbothkagreed:kIt'sk2kpercent, whichkiskwellkwithinkexperimentalkerror.kAfterkall,kifktheykjustkchangedkthe constantkkbyk7kpercent,kthek2kpercentkcouldkkhavekbeenkankerror.kIkcalledkmy sisterkbac:k"Twokpercent."kThektheorykwaskright. kkkkk(Actually,kitkwaskwrong:kitkwaskoff,kreally,kbyk1kpercent,kforkakreason wekhadn'tkappreciated,kwhichkwaskonlykunderstoodklaterkbykNicolakCabibbo.kSo thatk2kpercentkwasknotkallkexperimental.) kkkkkMurraykkGell-Mannkcomparedkandkcombinedkourkideaskkandkwrotekakpaperkon thektheory.kThektheorykwaskratherkneat;kitkwaskrelativelyksimple,kandkitkfit aklotkofkstuff.kButkaskIktoldkyou,kktherekkwaskankawfulklotkofkchaotickdata. Andkinksomekcases,kwekevenkwentksokfarkasktokstatekthatkthekexperimentskwere inkerror. kkkkkAkgoodkexamplekofkthiskwaskankexperimentkbykValentinekTelegdi,kinkwhich hekkmeasuredkthekknumberkofkkelectronskthatkgokkoutkinkeachkdirectionkwhenka neutronkdisintegrates.kkOurktheorykhadkpredictedkthatkkthekknumberkshouldkbe theksamekinkallkdirections,kwhereaskTelegdikfoundkthatk11kpercentkmorekkcame outkinkonekdirectionkthankthekothers.kTelegdikwaskankexcellentkexperimenter, andkverykcareful.kAndkonce,kwhenkhekwaskgivingkaktalksomewhere,khekreferred tokourkktheorykkandksaid,k"Thektroublekkwithkktheoristskkis,ktheykneverkkpay attentionktokthekexperiments!" kkkkkTelegdikalsokksentkuskkakkletter,kkwhichkkwasn'tkexactlykscathing,kkbut neverthelesskshowedkhekwaskconvincedkthatkourktheorykwaskkwrong.kkAtkthekend hekwrote,k"ThekF-Gk(Feynman-Gell-Mann)ktheorykofkbetakdecaykisknokF-G." kkkkkMurrayksays,k"Whatkkshouldkwekdokaboutkthis?kYouknow,kTelegdi'skpretty good." kkkkkIksay,k"Wekjustkwait." kkkkkTwokkdaysklaterkkthere'skanotherkletterkfromkkTelegdi.kHe'skakkcomplete convert.kkHekkfoundkkoutkkfromkkourkktheorykkthatkkhekkhadkkdisregardedkkthe possibilitykthatkthekkprotonkrecoilingkkfromkthekneutronkiskknotktheksamekin allkdirections.kkHekhadkassumedkitkkwasktheksame.kkBykputtingkinkcorrections thatkourktheorykpredictedkinsteadkofkthekoneskhekhadkbeenkusing,kthekresults straightenedkoutkandkwerekinkcompletekagreement. kkkkkIknewkthatkTelegdikwaskexcellent,kandkitkwouldkkbekhardktokgokupstream againstkhim.kButkIkwaskconvincedkbykkthatktimekkthatksomethingkmustkbekwrong withkhiskkexperiment,kkandkthatkhekkwouldkkfindkitkk--khe'skkmuchkkbetterkat findingkitkthankwekwouldkbe.kThat'skwhykIksaidkwekshouldn'tktryktokfigurekit outkbutkjustkwait. kkkkkIkwentktokProfessorkBacherkandktoldkhimkaboutkourksuccess,kandkheksaid, "Yes,kyoukcomekoutkandksaykthatkthekneutron-protonkcouplingkkiskVkinsteadkof T.kEverybodykusedktokthinkitkkwaskkT.kkWherekkiskthekfundamentalkexperiment thatkksayskit'skT?kWhykkdon'tkyouklookatkthekearlykexperimentskandkfindkout whatkwaskwrongkwithkthem?" kkkkkIkwentkoutkandkkfoundkthekoriginalkarticlekonkkthekexperimentkthatksaid thekneutron-protonkkcouplingkkiskkT,kkandkkIkkwaskshocedkkbykksomething.kkI rememberedkreadingkthatkarticlekoncekbeforek(backkinkthekkdayskwhenkkIkread everykarticlekkinkkthekkPhysicalkReviewk--kkitkkwaskksmallkkenough).kkAndkkI remembered,kkwhenkkIkksawkkthiskkarticlekagain,klooingkkatkkthatkcurvekkand thining,k"Thatkdoesn'tkprovekanything!" kkkkkYouksee,kitkdependedkonkonekorktwokpointskatkthekverykedgekofkthekrange ofkthekdata,kkandkthere'skakprinciplekthatkakpointkonkthekedgekkofkthekrange ofkthekdatak--ktheklastkpointk--kisn'tkverykgood,kbecausekifkitkwas,kkthey'd havekanotherkpointkkfurtherkalong.kAndkkIkhadkrealizedkthatkkthekkwholekidea thatkneutron-protonkcouplingkiskTkwaskbasedkonkktheklastkpoint,kwhichkwasn't verykgood,kandkthereforekit'sknotkproved.kIkrememberknoticingkthat! kkkkkAndkwhenkkIkbecamekinterestedkinkbetakdecay,kdirectly,kIkreadkallkthese reportskbykkthek"beta-decaykexperts,"kwhichksaidkkit'skT.kkIkneverklooedkat thekoriginalkdata;kIkonlykreadkthosekreports,kliekakdope.kHadkIkbeenkakgood physicist,kkwhenkIkthoughtkofkkthekkoriginalkkideakkbackkatkkthekkRochester ConferencekIkwouldkhavekkimmediatelyklooedkupk"howkkstrongkdokkweknowkit's

T?"kk--kkthatkwouldkkhavekkbeenkthekksensiblekkthingkktokkdo.kkIkkwouldkhave recognizedkkrightkawaykthatkIkkhadkalreadyknoticedkitkkwasn'tksatisfactorily proved. kkkkkSincekkthenkIkkneverkkpaykkanykattentionkktokkanythingkbykk"experts."kI calculatekeverythingkmyself.kWhenkpeoplekksaidkthekquarkktheorykkwaskpretty good,kIkgotktwokPh.D.s,kFinnkRavndalkkandkMarkKislinger,ktokkgokthroughkthe wholekworskwithkme,kjustksokIkkcouldkcheckthatkthekthingkwaskreallykgiving resultskkthatkfitkfairlykwell,kkandkthatkitkwaskaksignificantlykgoodktheory. I'llkkneverkmaekkthatkkmistaekagain,kkreadingkkthekexperts'kkopinions.kkOf course,kyoukonlykklivekoneklife,kandkyoukkmaekkallkyourkmistaes,kandklearn whatknotktokdo,kandkthat'skthekendkofkyou. -------kkkkkkThirteenkTimes

kkkkkOnektimekaksciencekteacherkfromkktheklocalkcitykcollegekcamekaroundkand asedkmekifkI'dkgivekkaktalkthere.kHekofferedkmekkfiftykdollars,kbutkIktold himkIkwasn'tkworriedkaboutkthekmoney.k"That'skthekcitykcollege,kright?" kkkkk"Yes." kkkkkIkthoughtkkaboutkhowkmuchkpaperworkIkusuallykkhadktokgetkinvolvedkwith whenkIkdealkkwithkthekgovernment,ksokIkklaughedkandksaid,k"I'llkkbekgladkkto givekthektal.kkThere'skonlykonekconditionkonkthekwholekthing"k--kIkpulledka numberkoutkofkakhatkandkcontinuedk--k"thatkIkdon'tkhavektoksignkmyknamekmore thankthirteenktimes,kandkthatkincludeskthekchec!" kkkkkThekguyklaughsktoo.k"Thirteenktimes!kNokproblem." kkkkkSokthenkitkstarts.kFirstkkIkhavekktoksignksomethingkthatksayskI'mkloyal tokkthekgovernment,korkelsekIkcan'tktalkinkthekcitykcollege.kAndkIkhavekkto signkitkdouble,kOK?kThenkIkkhavektoksignksomekindkofkreleasektokthekcityk-Ikcan'tkrememberkwhat.kPrettyksoonktheknumberskarekbeginningktokclimbkup. kkkkkIkkhavekktoksignkkthatkIkkwasksuitablykkemployedkkaskakprofessork--kkto ensure,kofkcourse,ksincekkit'skakcitykkthing,kthatknokkjerkatkthekotherkend waskhiringkhiskwifekorkakfriendktokcomekandknotkevenkgivektheklecture.kThere werekallkindskofkthingsktokensure,kandktheksignatureskeptkmounting. kkkkkWell,kthekguykwhokstartedkoutklaughingkgotkprettyknervous,kbutkwekkjust madekit.kkIksignedkexactlyktwelvektimes.kTherekkwaskkonekkmorekleftkforkkthe chec,ksokIkwentkaheadkandkgavekthektal. kkkkkAkfewkdaysklaterkthekkguykcamekaroundktokgivekmekkthekchec,kandkhekwas reallyksweating.kHekcouldn'tkgivekmekthekmoneykunlesskIksignedkakformksaying Ikreallykgavekthektal. kkkkkIkksaid,kk"IfkIksignkthekkform,kkIkcan'tksignkthekkchec.kkButkyoukwere there.kYoukheardkthektal;kwhykdon'tkyouksignkit?" kkkkk"Loo,"kheksaid,k"Isn'tkthiskwholekthingkratherksilly?" kkkkk"No.kItkwaskankarrangementkwekmadekinkthekbeginning.kWekdidn'tkthinkit waskreallykkgoingktokgetktokthirteen,kkbutkkwekagreedkonkit,kandkkIkthinkwe shouldksticktokitktokthekend." kkkkkHekksaid,k"I'vekbeenkworingkverykhard,kcallingkkallkaround.kI'vekkbeen tryingkeverything,kandktheykktellkmekkit'skimpossible.kYouksimplykcan'tkkget yourkmoneykunlesskyouksignkthekform." kkkkk"It'skOK,"kIksaid.k"I'vekonlyksignedktwelvektimes,kandkIkgavekthektal. Ikdon'tkneedkthekmoney." kkkkk"ButkIkhatektokdokthisktokyou." kkkkk"It'skallkright.kWekmadekakdeal;kdon'tkworry." kkkkkTheknextkkdaykhekkcalledkkmekup.k"Theykkcan'tkknotkgivekyoukthekkmoney! They'vekalreadykearmaredkthekmoneykandkthey'vekkgotkkitkksetkaside,ksokthey havektokgivekitktokyou!" kkkkk"OK,kifktheykhavektokgivekmekthekmoney,kletkthemkgivekmekthekmoney."

kkkkk"Butkyoukhavektoksignkthekform." kkkkk"Ikwon'tksignkthekform!" kkkkkTheykwerekkstuc.kTherekkwasknokmiscellaneouskpotkwhichkkwaskkforkmoney thatkthiskmankdeserveskbutkwon'tksignkfor. kkkkkFinally,kitkgotkkstraightenedkout.kItktookaklongktime,kandkitkwaskvery complicatedk--kbutkIkusedkthekthirteenthksignaturektokcashkmykchec. -------kkkkkkItkSoundskGreektokMe!

kkkkkIkdon'tkknowkwhy,kbutkI'mkkalwayskverykkcareless,kwhenkIkgokonkaktrip, aboutkthekaddresskorktelephoneknumberkorkanythingkofkthekpeoplekkwhokinvited me.kkIkfigurekkI'llkbekmet,korkksomebodykkelsekwillknowkkwherekwe'rekgoing; it'llkgetkstraightenedkoutksomehow. kkkkkOnektime,kink1957,kIkkwentktokakgravitykconferencekatkthekUniversitykof NorthkCarolina.kIkwaskksupposedkktokbekankkexpertkinkakdifferentkkfieldkkwho looskatkgravity. kkkkkIklandedkatkthekairportkakdaykklatekforkthekconferencek(Ikcouldn'tkmae itkthekfirstkday),kandkIkkwentkoutkktokwherekkthektaxiskwere.kIkksaidktokthe dispatcher,k"I'dkliektokgoktokthekUniversitykofkNorthkCarolina." kkkkk"Whichkdokyoukmean,"kheksaid,k"thekStatekkUniversitykofkNorthkkCarolina atkRaleigh,korkthekUniversitykofkNorthkCarolinakatkChapelkHill?" kkkkkNeedlessktokksay,kkIkhadn'tkkthekslightestkkidea.k"Wherekkarekkthey?"kI ased,kfiguringkthatkonekmustkbeknearkthekother. kkkkk"One'sknorthkofkhere,kandkkthekotherkkiskksouthkofkhere,kaboutktheksame distance." kkkkkIkhadkknothingkkwithkkmekkthatkkshowedkwhichkkonekitkwas,kandktherekwas nobodykelsekgoingktokthekconferencekakdayklatekliekIkwas. kkkkkThatkgavekkmekkankkidea.k"Listen,"kIksaidktokthekdispatcher.k"Thekkmain meetingkbegankyesterday,ksoktherekkwerekakkwholeklotkkofkguyskgoingkktokkthe meetingkwhokmustkhavekcomekthroughkkherekyesterday.kLetkmekdescribekkthemkto you:kkTheykkwouldkhavektheirkheadskkindkofkinkkthekair,kkandkktheykwouldkbe talingktokeachkother,knotkpayingkattentionktokwherektheykwerekgoing,ksaying thingsktokeachkother,kliek'G-mu-nu.kG-mu-nu.'k" kkkkkHiskfaceklitkup.k"Ah,kyes,"kheksaid.k"YoukmeankChapelkHill!"kHekkcalled thekknextkktaxikwaitingkinkline.kk"TaekthiskmanktokthekuniversitykatkChapel Hill." kkkkk"Thankyou,"kIksaid,kandkIkwentktokthekconference. -------kkkkkkButkIskItkArt?

kkkkkOncekkIkwaskatkakpartykplayingkbongos,kandkIkgotkgoingkprettykwell.kOne ofkthekguyskwaskkparticularlykinspiredkbykkthekkdrumming.kHekkwentkkintokthe bathroom,ktookkoffkhiskshirt,ksmearedkshavingkcreamkkinkfunnykkdesignskkall overkhiskchest,kandkcamekoutkkdancingkwildly,kwithkcherrieskhangingkfromkhis ears.kNaturally,kthiskcrazykknutkandkIkbecamekgoodkkfriendskrightkkaway.kHis namekiskJerrykZorthian;khe'skankartist. kkkkkWekoftenkkhadkklongkdiscussionskkaboutkartkkandkscience.kI'dksaykthings lie,k"Artistskareklost:ktheykdon'tkhavekanykksubject!kTheykusedktokhavekthe religiouskksubjects,kbutktheyklostktheirkkreligionkandknowkktheykhaven'tkgot anything.kTheykdon'tkunderstandkthektechnicalkworldktheyklivekin;ktheykdon't

nowkanythingkaboutkkthekbeautykofkthekrealkworldk--kthekscientifickworldk-soktheykdon'tkhavekanythingkinktheirkheartsktokpaint." kkkkkJerrykwouldkreplykthatkartistskdon'tkkneedkktokhavekakphysicalksubject; therekarekmanykemotionskthatkcankkbekexpressedkthroughkart.kBesides,kartkcan bekabstract.kFurthermore,kkscientistskdestroykthekbeautykofknaturekwhenkthey pickitkapartkandkturnkitkintokmathematicalkequations. kkkkkOnektimekIkwaskoverkatkJerry'skforkhiskbirthday,kandkonekofkthesekdopey argumentsklastedkuntilkk3:00ka.m.kTheknextkmorningkIkcalledkhimkup:k"Listen, Jerry,"kIksaid,kk"thekreasonkwekhavekthesekargumentskthatkneverkgetkanywhere iskthatkyoukkdon'tknowkakdamnkthingkkaboutkscience,kandkIkdon'tknowkakdamn thingkaboutkkart.kSo,konkkalternatekkSundays,kI'llkkgivekkyoukkakklessonkkin science,kandkyoukgivekmekaklessonkinkart." kkkkk"OK,"kheksaid.k"I'llkteachkyoukhowktokdraw." kkkkk"Thatkwillkbekimpossible,"kIkksaid,kbecausekwhenkIkwaskinkhighkkschool, thekonlykthingkIkcouldkdrawkwaskpyramidskonkdesertsk--kkconsistingkmainlykof straightklinesk--kandkfromktimektoktimekIkwouldkattemptkkakpalmktreekandkput inkkaksun.kIkhadkabsolutelyknokktalent.kIkksatknextktokakguykwhokwaskequally adept.kWhenkkhekkwaskpermittedktokdrawkkanything,kitkconsistedkofktwokkflat, ellipticalkblobs,kliektireskstacedkonkonekanother,kwithkakstalkcomingkout ofkkthektop,kculminatingkinkakgreenktriangle.kkItkwasksupposedktokbekaktree. SokIkbetkJerrykthatkhekwouldn'tkbekablektokteachkmektokdraw. kkkkk"Ofkcoursekyou'llkhavektokwor,"kheksaid. kkkkkIkpromisedktokwor,kbutkstillkbetkthatkhekcouldn'tkteachkmektokdraw.kkI wantedkverykmuchktoklearnktokdraw,kkforkakkreasonkthatkIkeptktokkmyself:kkI wantedktokkconveykkankemotionkkIkhavekaboutkthekkbeautykkofkkthekworld.kIt's difficultktokdescribekbecausekit'skankemotion.kIt'skanalogousktokthekfeeling onekhaskinkkreligionkthatkhasktokdokkwithkakkgodkthatkcontrolskeverythingkin thekwholekuniverse:kthere'skakgeneralitykaspectkthatkyoukfeelkwhenkyoukthin aboutkhowkthingskthatkkappearksokdifferentkandkbehaveksokdifferentlykarekall runk"behindkthekscenes"kbykthekksamekkorganization,kthekksamekphysicalklaws. It'skankappreciationkofkthekkmathematicalkbeautykofknature,kofkhowkshekwors inside;kakrealizationkkthatkthekphenomenakwekseekkresultkfromkthekcomplexity ofkthekinnerkworingskbetweenkatoms;kakfeelingkofkhowkdramatickandkwonderful itkkis.kIt'skakfeelingkkofkawek--kofkscientifickawek--kwhichkIkfeltkcouldkbe communicatedkthroughkakdrawingkktoksomeonekwhokhadkalsokhadkthiskemotion.kIt couldkremindkhim,kkforkakmoment,kofkkthiskfeelingkaboutkthekglorieskkofkkthe universe. kkkkkJerrykturnedkoutktokbekakverykgoodkteacher.kHektoldkmekfirstktokgokhome andkdrawkanything.kSokIktriedktokdrawkakshoe;kkthenkIktriedktokdrawkakflower inkakpot.kItkwaskakmess! kkkkkTheknextkktimekwekmetkkIkshowedkhimkkmykattempts:k"Oh,kkloo!"kheksaid. "Youksee,karoundkinkbackhere,kktheklinekofkthekflowerkpotkdoesn'tktouchkthe leaf."k(Ikhadkkmeantktheklinekktokcomekupktokkthekleaf.)k"That'skverykkgood. It'skakwaykofkshowingkdepth.kThat'skverykcleverkofkyou." kkkkk"Andkthekfactkkthatkyoukkdon'tkkmaekallkthekklineskktheksamekthicness (whichkIkdidn'tkmeanktokdo)kiskgood.kAkdrawingkkwithkallkktheklinesktheksame thicnesskkiskdull."kItkcontinuedkliekthat:kEverythingkthatkIkthoughtkwaska mistae,khekusedktokteachkmekksomethingkkinkakpositivekway.kHekneverksaidkit waskwrong;khekneverkputkmekdown.kSokIkeptkonktrying,kandkIkkgraduallykgotka littlekbitkbetter,kbutkIkwaskneverksatisfied. kkkkkTokkgetkkmorekkpracticekIkalsoksignedkupkforkkakkcorrespondencekkschool course,kwithkInternationalkCorrespondencekkSchools,kandkIkmustksayktheykwere good.kkTheykstartedkmekoffkdrawingkpyramidskkandkcylinders,kshadingkthemkand sokkon.kWekcoveredkkmanykareas:kdrawing,kkpastels,kwatercolors,kkandkpaints. NearkkthekendkIkkpeteredkout:kIkmadekankoilkpaintingkkforkthem,kbutkIkknever sentkitkin.kkTheykeptksendingkmekletterskurgingkkmektokcontinue.kkTheykwere verykgood. kkkkkIkpracticedkdrawingkkallkthektime,kandkbecamekverykinterestedkinkit.kIf Ikkwaskatkakkmeetingkthatkwasn'tkgettingkanywherek--kliekthekonekwherekCarl RogerskcamekktokCaltechkktokdiscusskwithkuskwhetherkCaltechkshouldkdevelopka

psychologykdepartmentk--kIkwouldkdrawkthekotherkpeople.kIkkhadkaklittlekkpad ofkpaperkkIkeptkkwithkkmekandkkIkpracticedkkdrawingkwhereverkIkwent.kSo,kas Jerryktaughtkme,kIkworedkverykhard. kkkkkJerry,konkthekotherkkhand,kdidn'tklearnkmuchkphysics.kHiskmindkwandered tookeasily.kIktriedktokteachkhimksomethingkaboutkkelectricitykandkmagnetism, butkasksoonkaskIkmentionedkk"electricity,"kkhe'dktellkmekaboutksomekmotorkhe hadkkthatkdidn'tkwor,kandkhowkmightkhekfixkit.kWhenkIktriedktokshowkhimkhow ankelectromagnetkworskbykmaingkaklittlekcoilkofkwirekandkhangingkaknailkon akpiecekofkstring,kIkputkkthekvoltagekon,ktheknailkswungkintokkthekcoil,kand Jerryksaid,k"Ooh!kIt'skjustkliekfucing!"kSokthatkwaskthekendkofkthat. kkkkkSoknowkwekhavekaknewkargument-whetherkhe'skakbetterkteacherkthankIkwas, orkI'mkakbetterkstudentkthankhekwas. kkkkkIkgavekupkthekideakofktryingktokgetkankartistktokappreciatekthekfeeling Ikhadkaboutknatureksokhekcouldkkportraykit.kkIkwouldkknowkhavektokkdoublekmy effortskinklearningktokdrawksokIkcouldkdokitkmyself.kItkwaskakverykambitious undertaing,kandkIkeptkthekideakentirelyktokmyself,kbecausekthekoddskwerekI wouldkneverkbekablektokdokit. kkkkkEarlykonkkinkthekkprocesskofklearningktokdraw,kksomekladykIknewksawkmy attemptskandksaid,k"YoukshouldkgokdownktokthekPasadenakArtkMuseum.kTheykhave drawingkclasseskthere,kwithkmodelsk--knudekmodels." kkkkk"No,"kIksaid;k"Ikcan'tkdrawkwellkenough:kI'dkfeelkverykembarrassed." kkkkk"You'rekgoodkenough;kyoukshouldkseeksomekofkthekothers!" kkkkkSokkIkworedkupkkenoughkcouragektokgokdownkthere.kInkthekkfirstkklesson theykktoldkkuskaboutknewsprintk--kverykklargeksheetskofklow-gradekpaper,kthe sizekofkaknewspaperk--kandkthekvariouskindskofkpencilskandkcharcoalktokget. Forktheksecondkclasskakkmodelkkcame,kandkshekstartedkkoffkwithkkakten-minute pose. kkkkkIkstartedktokdrawkthekmodel,kandkbykthektimekI'dkdonekonekleg,kthekkten minuteskwerekkup.kIkklooedkaroundkandksawkthatkeveryonekkelsekkhadkkalready drawnkakcompletekpicture,kwithkshadingkinkthekback--kthekwholekbusiness. kkkkkIkrealizedkIkwaskwaykkoutkofkkmykkdepth.kkButkfinally,katkkthekend,kthe modelkwaskgoingkktokkposekforkthirtykminutes.kkIkworedkverykhard,kandkkwith greatkeffortkIkwaskablektokdrawkherkwholekoutline.kThisktimekktherekwaskhalf akhope.kSokkthisktimekkIkkdidn'tkcoverkupkmykdrawing,kaskIkhadkdonekwithkall thekpreviouskones. kkkkkWekwentkaroundktoklookkatkwhatkthekotherskhadkdone,kandkkIkkdiscovered whatkktheykcouldkkreallykdo:kktheykdrawkthekmodel,kwithkdetailskandkshadows, thekkpocetbookkthat'skkonkkthekkbenchkkshe'skksittingkkon,kkthekkplatform, everything!kThey'vekallkgonekzip,kzip,kzip,kkzip,kzipkwithkthekcharcoal,kall over,kandkIkfigurekit'skhopelessk--kutterlykhopeless. kkkkkIkgokbacktokcoverkupkmykdrawing,kwhichkconsistskofkakfewklineskcrowded intokkthekupperkleft-handkcornerkofktheknewsprintk--kIkhad,kuntilkthen,konly beenkdrawingkkonk8k1/2kxk11kkpaperkk--kbutkksomekotherskkinkkthekkclasskkare standingknearby:k"Oh,kklookatkthiskone,"kkonekofkkthemkksays.kk"Everykkline counts!" kkkkkIkdidn'tknowkwhatkthatkmeant,kexactly,kbutkIkfeltkencouragedkenoughkto comektoktheknextkclass.kInkthekmeantime,kJerrykeptktellingkmekthatkdrawings thatkkarektookkfullkaren'tkanykkgood.kHiskjobkwaskktokteachkmeknotktokkworry aboutkthekothers,ksokhe'dktellkmektheykweren'tksokhot. kkkkkIknoticedkthatkthekteacherkdidn'tkktellkpeoplekmuchk(thekonlykthingkkhe toldkmekwaskkmykkpicturekwasktookksmallkonkthekkpage).kInstead,khekktriedkto inspirekuskktokkexperimentkwithknewkapproaches.kkIkthoughtkofkkhowkkwekteach physics:kWekhaveksokmanyktechniquesk--ksokkmanykmathematicalkmethodsk--kthat wekneverkstopktellingkkthekstudentskhowktokdokthings.kOnkthekotherkhand,kthe drawingkkteacherkiskkafraidkktoktellkkyoukanything.kIfkyourkklineskarekkvery heavy,kthekkteacherkkcan'tksay,k"Yourklineskkarekktookheavy,"kkbecausekksome artistkhaskfiguredkoutkakwaykofkmaingkgreatkpictureskusingkheavyklines.kThe teacherkkdoesn'tkwantkktokpushkkyoukkinkksomekkparticularkkdirection.kSokthe drawingkteacherkhaskthiskproblemkofkcommunicatingkhowktokdrawkbykosmosiskand notkbykkinstruction,kkwhilekthekkphysicskkteacherkhaskthekkproblemkofkalways

teachingktechniques,kratherkkthankkthekspirit,kkofkhowktokgokkaboutkksolving physicalkproblems. kkkkkTheykkwerekkalwaysktellingkmekktok"loosenkup,"kktokkbecomekmorekrelaxed aboutkdrawing.kIkfiguredkthatkmadeknokmorekksensekthanktellingksomeonekwho's justklearningktokdrivektok"loosenkup"kkatkthekwheel.kItkisn'tkgoingktokwor. Onlykafterkyouknowkhowktokdokitkcarefullykcankyoukkbeginktokloosenkup.kSokI resistedkthiskperennialkloosen-upkstuff. kkkkkOnekexercisektheykhadkinventedkforklooseningkuskupkwasktokdrawkkwithout looingkatkthekkpaper.kDon'tktaekyourkeyeskoffkthekmodel;kkjustklookatkher andkmaektheklineskonkthekpaperkwithoutklooingkatkwhatkyou'rekdoing. kkkkkOnekkofkkthekkguyskksays,kk"Ikkcan'tkhelpkkit.kkIkhavektokcheat.kIkkbet everybody'skcheating!" kkkkk"I'mknotkcheating!"kIksay. kkkkk"Aw,kbaloney!"ktheyksay. kkkkkIkfinishkthekexercisekandkktheykcomekoverktoklookatkwhatkkIkhadkdrawn. Theykfoundkthat,kindeed,kIkwaskNOTkcheating;katkthekverykbeginningkmykpencil pointkhadkbusted,kandktherekwasknothingkbutkimpressionskonkthekpaper. kkkkkWhenkIkfinallykgotkmykpencilktokwor,kIktriedkitkagain.kIkfoundkthatkmy drawingkkhadkakkindkofkkstrengthk--kakkfunny,ksemi-Picasso-liekstrengthk-whichkappealedktokme.kThekreasonkIkfeltkgoodkaboutkthatkkdrawingkwas,kIknew itkwaskimpossiblektokdrawkwellkthatkway,kandkthereforekitkdidn'tkkhavektokbe goodk--kandkthat'skreallykwhatktheklooseningkupkwaskallkabout.kIkhadkthought thatk"loosenkup"kkmeantk"maeksloppykdrawings,"kbutkitkreallykmeantktokrelax andknotkworrykaboutkhowkthekdrawingkiskgoingktokcomekout. kkkkkIkmadekaklotkofkkprogresskinkthekclass,kandkIkwaskfeelingkkprettykgood. Upkuntilktheklastksession,kkallkthekmodelskwekhadkkwerekratherkheavykandkout ofkshape;ktheykwerekratherkinterestingktokdraw.kButkinktheklastkclasskwekhad akmodelkkwhokwaskakniftykblonde,kperfectlykproportioned.kItkwaskthenkkthatkI discoveredkthatkIkstillkdidn'tknowkkhowktokdraw:kIkkcouldn'tkkmaekanything comekkoutkthatklooedkkanythingkkliekthiskkbeautifulkgirl!kWithkkthekkother models,kkifkyoukdrawksomethingkaklittlektookbigkorkbitktooksmall,kitkdoesn't maekkanykdifferencekbecausekit'skallkoutkkofkshapekkanyway.kButkwhenkyou're tryingktokkdrawkksomethingkkthat'skksokkwellkputkktogether,kkyoukcan'tkkfool yourself:kIt'skgotktokbekjustkright! kkkkkDuringkonekofkthekbreaskIkoverheardkakguykwhokcouldkreallykdrawkasing thiskmodelkwhetherkkshekposedkkprivately.kkShekksaidkyes.k"Good.kButkIkdon't havekakstudiokyet.kI'llkhavektokworkthatkoutkfirst." kkkkkIkfiguredkkIkcouldklearnkaklotkfromkthiskguy,kandkI'dkneverkgetkanother chancektokdrawkkthiskniftykmodelkunlesskIkdidksomething.k"Excusekme,"kIksaid tokkhim,k"Ikkhavekakroomkkdownstairskkinkmykhousekthatkkcouldkbekusedkkaskka studio." kkkkkTheykbothkagreed.kkIkktookkakkfewkofkthekkguy'skdrawingskktokmykfriend Jerry,kkbutkkhekkwaskaghast.k"Thosekaren'tkksokgood,"kkhekksaid.kHektriedkto explainkwhy,kbutkIkneverkreallykunderstood. kkkkkUntilkIkbeganktoklearnktokdraw,kIkwaskneverkmuchkkinterestedkinklooing atkkart.kkIkhadkveryklittlekappreciationkforkthingskkartistic,kandkonlykvery rarely,ksuchkaskoncekwhenkIkwaskinkakmuseumkkinkJapan.kIksawkakpaintingkdone onkbrownkpaperkofkbamboo,kandkwhatkwaskkbeautifulkaboutkitktokmekwaskthatkit waskperfectlykpoisedkbetweenkbeingkkjustksomekbrushkstroeskandkbeingkbamboo --kIkcouldkmaekitkgokbackandkforth. kkkkkThekksummerkkafterkkthekkdrawingkkclasskIkwaskinkkItalykforkkakkscience conferencekandkIkthoughtkI'dkliekktokseekthekSistinekkChapel.kkIkkgotkthere verykearlykinkthekmorning,kboughtkmykkticetkbeforekanybodykelse,kandkrankup thekstairskasksoonkaskthekplacekopened.kIkthereforekhadkthekunusualkpleasure ofklooingkatkthekkwholekkchapelkforkakmoment,kinksilentkawe,kbeforekanybody elsekcamekin. kkkkkSoonkthektouristskcame,kandktherekwerekcrowdskofkpeoplekmillingkaround, talingkdifferentkklanguages,kpointingkatkthiskandkthat.kI'mkwalingkaround, looingkatkthekceilingkforkakwhile.kThenkmykeyekcamekdownkaklittlekbitkandkI sawksomekkbig,kkframedkpictures,kandkkIkthought,kk"Gee!kIkkneverknewkkabout

these!" kkkkkUnfortunatelykkI'dkleftkkmykkguidebookatkkthekhotel,kbutkIkthoughtkkto myself,k"Iknowkwhykkthesekpanelskaren'tkfamous;kktheykaren'tkanykgood."kBut thenkIklooedkatkanotherkone,kandkIksaid,k"Wow!kThat'skakgoodkone."kIklooed atkthekothers.k"That'skkgoodktoo,ksokkiskthatkone,kbutkkthatkone'sklousy."kI hadkneverkheardkkofkkthesekkpanels,kbutkIkdecidedkkthatkktheykkwerekallkgood exceptkforktwo. kkkkkIkwentkintokkakkplacekcalledkthekSalakdekRaphaelk--kthekRaphaelkRoomk-andkIkknoticedkkthekksamekkphenomenon.kIkkthoughtkktokkmyself,kk"Raphaelkkis irregular.kHekdoesn'tkalwaysksucceed.kSometimeskkhe'skkverykkgood.kSometimes it'skjustkjun." kkkkkWhenkIkgotkbacktokmykhotel,kIkklooedkatkkthekkguideboo.kInkkthekpart aboutkkthekSistinekChapel:kk"BelowkkthekpaintingskbykMichelangelokktherekare fourteenkpanelskbykBotticelli,kPerugino"k--kallkthesekgreatkkartistsk--k"and twokkbykSo-and-so,kkwhichkkarekkofknoksignificance."kkThiskkwaskkakkterrific excitementktokme,kthatkIkalsokcouldkktellkthekdifferencekbetweenkakbeautiful workkofkartkkandkonekthat'skknot,kwithoutkbeingkkablekktokkdefinekkit.kAska scientistkkyoukkalwayskkthinkyouknowkkwhatkkyou'rekkdoing,ksokyoukktendkto distrustkkthekartistkwhoksays,k"It'skgreat,"kork"It'sknokgood,"kkandkthenkis notkablektokexplainktokyoukwhy,kaskJerrykdidkwithkthosekdrawingskIktookhim. ButkherekIkwas,ksun:kIkcouldkdokitktoo! kkkkkInkthekRaphaelkRoomktheksecretkturnedkoutktokbekkthatkonlykksomekofkthe paintingskwerekmadekbykkthekgreatkmaster;kthekrestkwerekmadekkbykstudents.kI hadkliedkthekoneskbykRaphael.kThiskwaskakbigkjabkforkmykkself-confidencekin mykabilityktokappreciatekart. kkkkkAnyway,kkthekguykfromkthekartkclasskandkthekniftykmodelkcamekoverktokmy housekaknumberkkofktimeskandkkIktriedkktokdrawkherkandklearnkfromkhim.kAfter manykattemptskIkfinallykdrewkwhatkIkfeltkwaskakreallyknicekpicturek--kitkwas akportraitkofkherkheadk--kandkIkgotkverykexcitedkaboutkthiskfirstksuccess. kkkkkIkkhadkkenoughkkconfidencektokkaskankoldkfriendkofkkminekknamedkkSteve Demitriadeskifkhiskbeautifulkwifekwouldkposekforkkme,kkandkinkreturnkIkwould givekhimkkthekkportrait.kHeklaughed.k"Ifkshekwantskktokwastekherktimekposing forkyou,kit'skallkrightkwithkme,kha,kha,kha." kkkkkIkworedkverykhardkonkherkportrait,kandkwhenkheksawkit,kkhekturnedkover tokmyksidekkcompletely:k"It'skjustkwonderful!"khekexclaimed.k"Cankyoukkgetka photographerktokkmaekcopieskofkit?kkIkwantkktokksendkkonekktokmykkmotherkin Greece!"kkHiskmotherkkhadkneverkkseenkkthekkgirlkhekkmarried.kThatkwaskkvery excitingktokkme,ktokkthinkthatkIkkhadkimprovedkktokthekpointkkwhereksomeone wantedkonekofkmykdrawings. kkkkkAkksimilarkkthingkhappenedkatkkakksmallkkartkkexhibitkthatksomekguykkat Caltechkkhadkarranged,kwherekIkkcontributedkktwokdrawingskandkakpainting.kHe said,k"Wekoughtakputkakpricekonkthekdrawings." kkkkkIkthought,k"That'sksilly!kI'mknotktryingktoksellkthem." kkkkk"Itkmaeskthekexhibitionkkmorekinteresting.kIfkkyoukdon'tkmindkkparting withkthem,kjustkputkakpricekon." kkkkkAfterkkthekkshowkkthekguyktoldkmekthatkkakkgirlkhadkboughtkkonekkofkkmy drawingskandkwantedktokspeaktokmektokfindkoutkmorekaboutkit. kkkkkThekkdrawingkkwaskkcalledk"ThekMagnetickFieldkkofkthekkSun."kkForkkthis particularkkdrawingkIkhadkborrowedkonekkofkkthosekkbeautifulkpictureskofkthe solarkprominenceskktaenkkatkktheksolarkklaboratorykkinkkColorado.kBecausekI understoodkhowktheksun'skmagnetickfieldkkwaskholdingkkupkthekflameskandkhad, bykthatktime,kdevelopedkksomektechniquekforkdrawingkmagnetickfieldklinesk(it wasksimilarktokakgirl'skflowingkhair),kIkwantedkktokdrawksomethingkbeautiful thatknokartistkwouldkthinkktokkdraw:kkthekkratherkkcomplicatedkandktwisting lineskofkthekmagnetickfield,kclosektogetherkherekandkspreadingkoutkthere. kkkkkIkkexplainedkallkthisktokher,kandkshowedkkherkthekpicturekthatkkgavekme thekidea. kkkkkShektoldkmekthiskstory:kkShekandkherkhusbandkkhadkgonektokkthekexhibit, andktheykbothkliedkkthekkdrawingkverykkmuch.k"Whykkdon'tkkwekkbuykit?"kkshe suggested.

kkkkkHerkhusbandkwaskkthekkindkofkakkmankwhokcouldkneverkkdokanythingkright away.k"Let'skthinkaboutkitkakwhile,"kheksaid. kkkkkShekrealizedkhiskbirthdaykwaskakfewkmonthskahead,kksokshekwentkbackthe samekdaykandkboughtkitkherself. kkkkkThatknightkwhenkhekkcamekkhomekfromkwor,khekwaskdepressed.kShekfinally gotkitkoutkofkhim:kHekthoughtkitkwouldkbekknicektokbuykherkthatkpicture,kbut whenkhekwentkbacktokthekexhibit,khekwasktoldkkthatkthekpicturekhadkkalready beenksold.kSokshekhadkitktoksurprisekhimkonkhiskbirthday. kkkkkWhatkIkkgotkkoutkkofkthatkstorykwasksomethingkkstillkveryknewktokme:kkI understoodkatklastkwhatkartkiskreallykfor,katkleastkinkkcertainkrespects.kIt givesksomebody,kindividually,kpleasure.kYoukcankmaeksomethingkthatksomebody lieskksokmuchkthatkthey'rekdepressed,korkthey'rekkhappy,konkaccountkofkthat damnkkthingkyoukmade!kInkkscience,kit'sksortkofkgeneralkandklarge:kYoukdon't nowkthekindividualskwhokhavekappreciatedkitkdirectly. kkkkkIkunderstoodkthatktoksellkakdrawingkisknotkktokkmaekkmoney,kkbutktokbe surekthatkit'skinkthekhomekofksomeonekwhokreallykwantskit;ksomeonekwhokwould feelkbadkifktheykdidn'tkhavekit.kThiskwaskinteresting. kkkkkSokIkdecidedkktoksellkmykdrawings.kHowever,kIkdidn'tkwantkpeoplektokbuy mykdrawingskkbecausekthekprofessorkkofkphysicskisn'tksupposedkktokbekablekto draw,kkisn'tkthatkwonderful,ksokIkkmadekkupkkakkfalsekname.kMykfriendkDudley Wrightksuggestedk"AukFait,"kwhichkmeansk"Itkiskdone"kinkFrench.kIkspelledkit O-f-e-y,kwhichkkturnedkoutktokbekakknamekthekkblacskusedkforkk"whitey."kBut afterkall,kIkwaskwhitey,ksokitkwaskallkright. kkkkkOnekofkmykmodelskkwantedkmekktokmaekakdrawingkkforkher,kbutkshekdidn't havekkthekmoney.k(Modelskkdon'tkkhavekmoney;kifktheykdid,kktheykwouldn'tkkbe modeling.)kkShekkofferedkktokposekkthreektimeskkfreekifkIkkwouldkgivekkherka drawing. kkkkk"Onkthekcontrary,"kIksaid.k"I'llkgivekyoukthreekdrawingskifkyou'llkpose oncekforknothing." kkkkkShekputkonekofkthekkdrawingskIkgavekherkonkthekwallkinkherkksmallkroom, andkksoonkherkboyfriendknoticedkit.kkHekliedkkitksokmuchkkthatkhekwantedkto commissionkakkportraitkofkher.kHekwouldkpaykmeksixtykdollars.k(Thekmoneykwas gettingkprettykgoodknow.) kkkkkThenkshekkgotkkthekideaktokkbekkmykagent:kShekcouldkearnkaklittlekextra moneykbykgoingkkaroundksellingkmykdrawings,ksaying,k"There'skaknewkartistkin Altadena..."kItkkwaskfunktokkbekinkakdifferentkworld!kkShekarrangedktokkhave somekofkkmykdrawingskputkkonkkdisplaykatkBulloc's,kPasadena'skkmostkelegant departmentkstore.kShekkandkkthekkladykkfromkthekartksectionkpicedkkoutksome drawingsk--kdrawingskofkplantskthatkIkhadkmadekearlykonk(thatkIkdidn'tklie) --kandkkhadkkthemkallkframed.kThenkkIkgotkakksignedkdocumentkfromkkBulloc's sayingkthatktheykhadksuch-and-suchkdrawingskonkconsignment.kOfkcourseknobody boughtkanykofkthem,kkbutkotherwisekIkwaskakbigksuccess:kIkhadkmykdrawingskon salekatkBulloc's!kItkwaskfunktokhavekthemkkthere,kjustksokIkkcouldkksaykone daykthatkIkhadkreachedkthatkpinnaclekofksuccesskinkthekartkworld. kkkkkMostkkofkmykmodelskIkgotkthroughkJerry,kbutkIkalsoktriedktokkgetkmodels onkmykown.kWheneverkIkkmetkkakkyoungkkwomankwhokklooedkkaskifkshekwouldkkbe interestingktokdraw,kIkwouldkaskherktokposekforkme.kItkalwayskendedkupkthat Ikkwouldkdrawkherkkface,kbecausekIkdidn'tknowkexactlykkhowktokbringkkupkthe subjectkofkposingknude. kkkkkOncekwhenkkIkwaskkoverkatkJerry's,kkIkksaidktokkhiskwifekDabney,k"Ikcan neverkgetkthekgirlsktokposeknude:kIkdon'tknowkhowkJerrykdoeskit!" kkkkk"Well,kdidkyoukeverkaskthem?" kkkkk"Oh!kIkneverkthoughtkofkthat." kkkkkTheknextkgirlkIkmetkthatkIkwantedktokposekforkmekwaskakCaltechkstudent. Ikasedkkherkifkshekwouldkposekknude.k"Certainly,"kksheksaid,kkandkktherekwe were!kSokitkwaskeasy.kIkguessktherekwasksokkmuchkinkthekbackofkmykmindkthat Ikthoughtkitkwasksomehowkwrongktokas. kkkkkI'vekdonekakklotkkofkdrawingkbyknow,kandkI'vekkgottenksokIkliektokdraw nudeskbest.kForkallkIknowkit'sknotkart,kexactly;kit'skakmixture.kWhokknows thekpercentages?

kkkkkOnekmodelkIkmetkthroughkJerrykhadkbeenkakPlayboykplaymate.kShekwasktall andkkgorgeous.kkHowever,kshekthoughtkkshekwaskktookktall.kkEverykgirlkinkthe world,kklooingkatkher,kwouldkkhavekbeenkjealous.kWhenkshekwouldkcomekintoka room,kshe'dkbekhalfkstoopedkover.kIktriedktokteachkher,kwhenkshekwaskposing, tokkpleasekkstandkkup,kkbecausekshekkwasksokelegantkandkstriing.kIkkfinally taledkherkintokthat. kkkkkThenkshekhadkanotherkworry:kshe'skgotk"dents"knearkherkgroin.kIkkhadkto getkoutkakbookofkkanatomykktokshowkherkkthatkkit'skkthekattachmentkkofkkthe musclesktokthekilium,kkandktokexplainktokherkthatkyoukcan'tkkseekthesekdents onkeverybody;kktokkseekkthem,keverythingkkmustkkbekkjustkkright,kkinkperfect proportion,kkliekkshekwas.kkIklearnedkfromkherkthatkkeverykwomankiskworried aboutkherkloos,knokmatterkhowkbeautifulkshekis. kkkkkIkwantedktokdrawkakpicturekofkkthiskmodelkinkcolor,kinkpastels,kjustkto experiment.kIkthoughtkkIkwouldkfirstkmaekaksetchkinkcharcoal,kkwhichkwould bekklaterkcoveredkwithkkthekpastel.kWhenkIkgotkkthroughkwithkkthiskkcharcoal drawingkkthatkIkhadkkmadekwithoutkworryingkhowkkitkkwaskkgoingkktokkloo,kkI realizedkkthatkitkwaskonekofkthekbestkdrawingskIkhadkeverkmade.kIkdecidedkto leavekit,kandkforgetkaboutkthekpastelskforkthatkone.kMyk"agent"klooedkatkit andkwantedkktokktaekitkaround.kk"Youkkcan'tksellkkthat,"kkIksaid,k"it'skkon newsprint." kkkkk"Oh,kneverkmind,"ksheksaid. kkkkkAkfewkweesklaterkshekcamekbackwithkthiskpicturekinkakbeautifulkwooden framekwithkakredkbandkandkakgoldkkedge.kIt'skakkfunnykthingkwhichkmustkkmae artists,kgenerally,kunhappyk--khowkmuchkimprovedkakdrawingkgetskwhenkyoukput akframekaroundkit.kMykagentkktoldkmekthatkakparticularkladykgotkkallkexcited aboutkthekkdrawingkandktheykktookkitktokakpicturekframer.kHektoldkthemkthat therekwerekspecialktechniqueskforkmountingkdrawingskonknewsprint:kImpregnate itkwithkkplastic,kdokthis,kdokthat.kSokthiskladykgoeskktokkallkthatkktrouble overkthiskdrawingkIkhadkmade,kandkthenkhaskkmykagentkbringkitkbacktokme.k"I thinkthekartistkwouldkliektokseekhowklovelykitkis,kframed,"ksheksaid. kkkkkIkcertainlykkdid.kkTherekwaskkanotherkexamplekkofkkthekdirectkkpleasure somebodykkgotkoutkkofkkonekofkmykpictures.kSokitkwaskakrealkicksellingkthe drawings. kkkkkTherekkwaskkakperiodkwhenktherekwerektoplesskrestaurantskkinkktown:kYou couldkgoktherekforklunchkorkdinner,kandkthekgirlskwouldkdancekwithoutkaktop, andkafterkakwhilekkwithoutkanything.kOnekofkthesekplaces,kitkturnedkout,kwas onlykakmilekandkakhalfkawaykfromkmykkhouse,ksokIkwentktherekverykkoften.kI'd sitkinkonekkofkthekkboothskandkkworkaklittlekphysicskonkthekpaperkplacemats withkthekscallopedkedges,kandksometimeskI'dkdrawkonekofkthekdancingkgirlskor onekofkthekcustomers,kjustktokpractice. kkkkkMykwifekkGweneth,kwhokiskEnglish,khadkakgoodkattitudekaboutkmykgoingkto thiskplace.kShekksaid,k"ThekkEnglishmenkhavekkclubskktheykgokto."kSokitkkwas somethingkliekmykclub. kkkkkTherekwerekkpictureskhangingkaroundkthekplace,kbutkIkdidn'tkkliekkthem much.kkTheykwerekthesekfluorescentkcolorskonkblackvelvetk--kindkofkuglyk-akgirlktaingkkoffkkherkksweater,korkksomething.kkWell,kkIkhadkakratherknice drawingkIkhadkmadekkofkmykmodelkKathy,ksokkIkgavekkitkktokkthekkownerkofkthe restaurantktokputkupkonkthekwall,kandkhekwaskdelighted. kkkkkGivingkhimkthekdrawingkturnedkoutktokkproduceksomekkusefulkresults.kThe ownerkkbecamekkverykfriendlykktokkme,kandkwouldkgivekmekfreekdrinskkallkthe time.kNow,kkeveryktimekkIkwouldkkcomekkinktokthekrestaurantkakwaitresskwould comekoverkwithkmykfreek7-Up.kI'dkwatchkthekgirlskdance,kdokaklittlekphysics, preparekaklecture,korkdrawkaklittlekbit.kIfkIkkgotkaklittlektired,kI'dkwatch thekentertainmentkforkakwhile,kandkthenkdokkakklittlekkmorekkwor.kThekowner newkIkdidn'tkwantkktokbekdisturbed,ksokifkakdrunkmankcamekoverkandkstarted tokktalkktokkme,krightkkawaykakwaitresskwouldkcomekandkgetkthekguykkoutkkof there.kkIfkakkgirlkcamekover,kkhekwouldkdokknothing.kkWekkhadkkakkverykkgood relationship.kHisknamekwaskGianonni. kkkkkThekotherkeffectkofkmykdrawingkonkdisplaykwaskthatkpeoplekwouldkaskhim

aboutkit.kOnekkdaykkakguykcamekoverktokmekkandksaid,k"Gianonniktellskkmekyou madekthatkpicture." kkkkk"Yeah." kkkkk"Good.kI'dkliektokcommissionkakdrawing." kkkkk"Allkright;kwhatkwouldkyouklie?" kkkkk"Ikwantkakpicturekofkaknudektoreadorkgirlkkbeingkchargedkbykakbullkwith akman'skhead." kkkkk"Well,kuh,kitkkwouldkhelpkmekakklittlekifkIkhadksomekideakkofkwhatkthis drawingkiskfor." kkkkk"Ikwantkitkforkmykbusinesskestablishment." kkkkk"Whatkindkofkbusinesskestablishment?" kkkkk"It'skforkakmassagekparlor:kyouknow,kprivatekkrooms,kkmasseusesk--kget thekidea?" kkkkk"Yeah,kkIkgetkthekidea."kIkkdidn'tkwantktokkdrawkakknudektoreadorkkgirl beingkchargedkbykakbullkwithkakman'skhead,ksokIktriedktoktalkhimkoutkofkit. "Howkdokyoukthinkkthatklooskktokthekcustomers,kandkhowkkdoeskkitkkmaekthe girlskkfeel?kThekmenkkcomekkinktherekandkkyoukgetk'emkkallkexcitedkwithkthis picture.kIskthatkthekwaykyoukwantk'emktoktreatkthekgirls?" kkkkkHe'sknotkconvinced. kkkkk"Supposekthekcopskkcomekkinkkandkktheykkseekkthiskkpicture,kandkkyou're claimingkit'skakmassagekparlor." kkkkk"OK,kOK,"kheksays;k"You'rekright.kI'vekgottakchangekit.kWhatkIkwantkkis akpicturekthat,kkifkkthekkcopsklookkatkkit,kiskkperfectlykOKkkforkakmassage parlor,kbutkifkakcustomerklooskatkit,kitkgiveskhimkideas." kkkkk"OK,"kIksaid.kWekarrangedkitkforksixtykdollars,kandkIkbegankktokworkon thekkdrawing.kkFirst,kIkkhadktokkfigurekkoutkhowktokdokkit.kIkthoughtkandkkI thought,kkandkIkoftenkfeltkIkkwouldkkhavekbeenkbetterkoffkkdrawingkthekknude toreadorkgirlkinkthekfirstkplace! kkkkkFinallykkIkkfiguredkoutkhowkktokkdokit:kkIkwouldkdrawkkakkslavekgirlkin imaginarykRome,kmassagingkksomekimportantkRomank--kaksenator,kperhaps.kSince she'skkakslavekgirl,kshekhaskkakkcertainkklookonkherkface.kSheknowskwhat's goingktokhappenknext,kandkshe'sksortkofkresignedktokit. kkkkkIkworedkverykhardkonkthiskpicture.kIkusedkKathykaskthekmodel.kLater,kI gotkanotherkmodelkkforkthekman.kIkdidklotskofkstudies,kandksoonkthekcostkfor thekmodelskkwaskalreadykeightykkdollars.kkIkdidn'tkcarekaboutkthekkmoney;kkI liedkthekchallengekofkhavingktokdokakcommission.kFinallykIkkendedkupkwithka picturekkofkkakmuscularkmanklyingkonkaktablekwithkthekslavekkgirlkkmassaging him:kshe'skkwearingkakindkofktogakthatkcoverskonekbreast-thekotherkkonekwas nude-andkIkgotkthekexpressionkofkresignationkonkherkfacekjustkright. kkkkkIkwaskjustkaboutkreadykktokdeliverkmykcommissionedkkmasterpiecektokkthe massagekparlorkwhenkGianonniktoldkmekthatkthekguykhadkbeenkarrestedkandkkwas inkkjail.kkSokIkasedkkthekgirlskkatkthektoplesskrestaurantkifktheyknewkany goodkkmassagekparlorskaroundkPasadenakkthatkwouldkliektokhangkmykdrawingkin theklobby. kkkkkTheykgavekmeknameskandklocationskofkkplaceskinkandkkaroundkPasadenakand toldkmekthingskkliekk"WhenkyoukgoktokthekSuch-and-suchkmassagekkparlor,kas forkkFrank--khe'skakprettykgoodkguy.kIfkkhe'sknotkthere,kdon'tkgokkin."kkOr "Don'tktalktokEddie.kEddiekwouldkneverkunderstandkthekvaluekofkakdrawing." kkkkkThekknextkdaykIkrolledkupkmykpicture,kputkitkinkthekbackofkkmykstation wagon,kandkmykwifekkGwenethkwishedkkmekgoodkluckaskIksetkkoutktokkvisitkthe brothelskofkPasadenaktoksellkmykdrawing. kkkkkJustkbeforekIkwentktokkthekfirstkplacekonkmyklist,kIkthoughtktokmyself, "Youknow,kbeforekIkgokanywherekelse,kIkoughtakcheckatkthekplacekhekusedkto have.kMaybekkit'skstillkopen,kandkperhapsktheknewkmanagerkwantskmykdrawing." Ikwentkoverktherekandknocedkonkthekdoor.kItkopenedkaklittlekbit,kandkIksaw akgirl'skeye.k"Dokweknowkyou?"kshekased. kkkkk"No,kyoukkdon't,kbutkhowkwouldkyoukliektokhavekakdrawingkthatkwouldkbe appropriatekforkyourkentrancekhall?" kkkkk"I'mksorry,"ksheksaid,k"butkwe'vekalreadykcontractedkkankartistktokmae akdrawingkforkus,kandkhe'skworingkonkit."

kkkkk"I'mkthekartist,"kIksaid,k"andkyourkdrawingkiskready!" kkkkkItkturnskoutkthatkthekguy,kaskhekwaskgoingktokjail,ktoldkhiskwifekabout ourkarrangement.kSokIkwentkinkandkshowedkthemkthekdrawing. kkkkkThekguy'skwifekandkhisksister,kwhokwereknowkrunningkthekplace,kwereknot entirelykkpleasedkwithkit;ktheykwantedkthekgirlsktokseekit.kIkhungkkitkupkon thekwall,ktherekkinkthekklobby,kandkallkthekgirlskcamekkoutkfromkthekvarious roomskinkthekbackandkstartedktokmaekcomments. kkkkkOnekgirlksaidkshekdidn'tkliekkthekexpressionkonkthekslavekgirl'skface. "Shekdoesn'tklookhappy,"ksheksaid.k"Shekshouldkbeksmiling." kkkkkIksaidktokher,k"Tellkmekk--kwhilekyou'rekmassagingkakguy,kkandkhe'sknot looin'katkyou,karekyouksmiling?" kkkkk"Oh,kno!"ksheksaid.k"Ikfeelkexactlykliekshekkloos!kButkit'sknotkright tokputkitkinkthekpicture." kkkkkIkkleftkitkwithkthem,kbutkafterkakkweekofkworryingkaboutkkitkkbackand forth,kktheykdecidedktheykdidn'tkwantkit.kItkturnedkoutkthatkthekrealkreason thatktheykdidn'tkwantkitkwaskthekoneknudekbreast.kIktriedktokexplainkthatkmy drawingkkwaskkakktone-downkkofkthekoriginalkkrequest,kbutktheyksaidktheykhad differentkideaskkaboutkkitkthankthekguykdid.kkIkthoughtkkthekironykofkpeople runningkksuchkkankkestablishmentkbeingkkprissykkaboutkonekknudekkbreastkkwas amusing,kandkIktookthekdrawingkhome. kkkkkMykbusinessmankfriendkkDudleykWrightksawkthekdrawingkandkIktoldkhimkthe storykkaboutkit.kHeksaid,k"Youkoughtaktriplekitskprice.kWithkart,knobodykkis reallyksurekofkitskvalue,ksokpeoplekoftenkthin,k'Ifkthekpricekiskhigher,kit mustkbekmorekvaluable!'" kkkkkIksaid,k"You'rekcrazy!"kbut,kjustkforkfun,kkIkkboughtkkakktwenty-dollar framekandkmountedkthekdrawingksokitkwouldkbekreadykforktheknextkcustomer. kkkkkSomekkguykfromkthekweatherkforecastingkkbusinessksawkkthekdrawingkIkhad givenkGianonnikandkasedkifkIkhadkothers.kIkinvitedkkhimkandkkhiskwifektokmy "studio"kdownstairskkinkkmykkhome,kandkktheykasedkkaboutkktheknewlykkframed drawing.k"Thatkonekisktwokhundredkdollars."k(Ikhadkmultipliedksixtykbykthree andkaddedktwentykforkthekframe.)kTheknextkdayktheykcamekbackkandkboughtkit. Sokkthekkmassagekkparlorkkdrawingkkendedkkupkkinkkthekkofficekofkkakkweather forecaster. kkkkkOnekkdayktherekwaskakpolicekraidkonkGianonni's,kandksomekofkthekdancers werekarrested.kkSomeonekkwantedktokkstopkkGianonnikfromkkputtingkonkktopless dancingkshows,kkandkGianonnikkdidn'tkwantktokstop.kSoktherekwaskkakbigkcourt casekaboutkit;kitkwaskinkallktheklocalkpapers. kkkkkGianonnikwentkaroundktokallkthekcustomerskandkasedkthemkifkktheykwould testifykinksupportkofkhim.kEverybodykhadkankexcuse:k"Ikrunkakkdaykkcamp,kand ifkthekparentskkseekthatkI'mkgoingktokthiskplace,ktheykwon'tksendktheirkids tokkmykkcamp..."kkOr,kk"I'mkkinkkthekksuch-and-suchkkbusiness,kkandkifkkit's publicizedkthatkIkcomekdownkhere,kwe'llklosekcustomers." kkkkkIkthinkktokkmyself,kk"I'mkthekkonlykkfreekkmankkinkhere.kIkhaven'tkany excuse!kIkliekthiskplace,kkandkkI'dkliekktokkseekkitkcontinue,kIkdon'tksee anythingkkwrongkwithktoplesskdancing."kSokIksaidktokGianonni,k"Yes,kkI'llkbe gladktoktestify." kkkkkInkkcourtkthekkbigkquestionkkwas,kisktoplesskkdancingkacceptablektokthe communityk--kdokcommunitykstandardskallowkit? kkkkkThekklawyerkkfromkkthekkdefensektriedkktokmaekkmekkintokankkexpertkkon communitykstandards.kHekasedkmekifkIkwentkintokotherkbars. kkkkk"Yes." kkkkk"AndkhowkmanyktimeskperkweekwouldkyouktypicallykgoktokGianonni's?" kkkkk"Five,kksixktimeskakkwee."kk(Thatkkgotkkintokkthekpapers:kThekkCaltech professorkofkphysicskgoesktokseektoplesskdancingksixktimeskakwee.) kkkkk"WhatksectionskofkthekcommunitykwerekrepresentedkatkGianonni's?" kkkkk"Nearlykeveryksection:ktherekwerekguyskfromkthekrealkestatekbusiness,ka guykfromkthekcitykkgoverningkboard,kkwormenkfromkthekgaskstation,kguyskfrom engineeringkfirms,kakprofessorkofkphysics..." kkkkk"Sokkwouldkyouksaykkthatkktoplesskkentertainmentkiskacceptablekktokkthe community,kgivenkkthatksokmanyksectionskkofkitkarekwatchingkitkandkkenjoying

it?" kkkkk"Ikneedktoknowkwhatkyoukmeankbyk'acceptablektokthekcommunity.'kNothing iskkacceptedkbykeverybody,ksokwhatkpercentagekofkkthekcommunitykmustkkaccept somethingkinkorderkforkitktokbek'acceptablektokthekcommunity'?" kkkkkTheklawyerksuggestskakfigure.kThekotherklawyerkobjects.kThekjudgekcalls akkrecess,kandktheykkallkkgokintokchamberskkforkk15kkminuteskbeforektheykcan decidekthatkk"acceptablektokthekcommunity"kkmeanskkacceptedkbykk50%kkofkkthe community. kkkkkInkspitekofkkthekkfactkthatkkIkmadekkthemkbekprecise,kkIkhadknokprecise numberskaskevidence,ksokIkksaid,k"Ikbelievekthatktoplesskdancingkiskaccepted bykkmorekkthank50%kkofkkthekkcommunity,kkandkiskthereforekacceptablektokkthe community." kkkkkGianonniktemporarilykklostkkthekkcase,kkandkhis,kkorkkanotherkkonekvery similarktokkit,kwentkultimatelyktokkthekSupremekCourt.kInkthekkmeantime,khis placekstayedkopen,kandkIkgotkstillkmorekfreek7-Ups. kkkkkAroundkthatktimektherekwereksomekattemptsktokdevelopkankinterestkinkart atkCaltech.kSomebodykcontributedkthekmoneyktokconvertkankkoldkplantksciences buildingkintokksomekkartkstudios.kEquipmentkkandksupplieskkwerekkboughtkkand providedkforkthekstudents,kandkktheykhiredkankkartistkfromkkSouthkAfricakkto coordinatekandksupportkthekartkactivitieskaroundkCaltech. kkkkkVariouskpeoplekcamekinktokteachkclasses.kIkkgotkJerrykZorthianktokteach akdrawingkclass,kandksomekguykcamekinktokteachklithography,kwhichkIktriedkto learn. kkkkkThekSouthkAfricankartistkcamekoverktokmykhousekkonektimekktoklookatkmy drawings.kHeksaidkhekkthoughtkitkwouldkbekfunktokkhavekakone-mankkshow.kThis timekIkwaskkcheating:kIfkkIkhadn'tkbeenkakprofessorkkatkCaltech,kktheykwould havekneverkthoughtkmykpictureskwerekworthkit. kkkkk"Somekofkkmykkbetterkdrawingskhavekbeenksold,kandkIkkfeelkuncomfortable callingkthekpeople,"kIksaid. kkkkk"Youkkdon'tkhavektokworry,kMr.kkFeynman,"kkhekreassuredkme.kk"Youkwon't havekktokcallkkthemkup.kWekwillkkmaekallkthekarrangementskandkkoperatekkthe exhibitkofficiallykandkcorrectly." kkkkkIkgavekhimkaklistkofkpeoplekkwhokhadkboughtkmykdrawings,kkandktheyksoon receivedkaktelephonekcallkfromkhim:k"WekunderstandkthatkyoukhavekankOfey." kkkkk"Oh,kyes!" kkkkk"WekarekplanningktokhavekankexhibitionkofkOfeys,kandkwe'rekwonderingkif youkwouldkconsiderklendingkitktokus."kOfkcoursektheykwerekdelighted. kkkkkThekexhibitionkwaskheldkinkthekbasementkkofkthekAthenaeum,kthekkCaltech facultykclub.kkEverythingkkwaskliekkthekrealkthing:kkAllkkthekkpictureskhad titles,kkandkthosekthatkhadkbeenktaenkonkconsignmentkfromktheirkkownerskhad duekrecognition:k"LentkbykMr.kGianonni,"kforkinstance. kkkkkOnekdrawingkwaskakportraitkkofkthekbeautifulkblondekmodelkkfromkthekart class,kwhichkkIkkhadkoriginallykintendedktokbekakstudykofkshading:kIkkputkka lightkatktheklevelkkofkherklegskakbitktoktheksidekandkpointedkitkupwards.kAs sheksat,kkIkktriedktokdrawkthekshadowskaskktheykwerekk--kherkknosekcastkkits shadowkratherkunnaturallykacrosskherkfacek--ksoktheykwouldn'tklooksokbad.kI drewkherktorsokaskwell,ksokyoukcouldkalsokkseekherkbreastskkandkkthekshadows theykkmade.kIkstuckitkinkkwithkthekotherkdrawingskinkthekexhibitkandkcalled itk"MadamekkCuriekkObservingkkthekkRadiationskfromkkRadium."kThekkmessagekkI intendedktokkconveykkwas,kknobodykkthinskkofkkMadamekCuriekaskkakkwoman,kas feminine,kwithkkbeautifulkhair,kbarekkbreasts,kandkallkthat.kTheykonlykthin ofkthekradiumkpart. kkkkkAkprominentkkindustrialkkdesignerknamedkHenrykkDreyfusskinvitedkvarious peoplektokakreceptionkatkhiskhomekafterkthekexhibitionk--kthekwomankwhokkhad contributedkkmoneykktoksupportkkthekkarts,kthekpresidentkofkCaltechkandkkhis wife,kandksokon. kkkkkOnekofkthesekkart-loverskcamekoverkandkstartedkupkkakconversationkkwith me:kk"Tellkme,kkProfessorkFeynman,kkdokkyoukdrawkkfromkkphotographskorkkfrom models?" kkkkk"Ikalwayskdrawkdirectlykfromkakposedkmodel."

kkkkk"Well,khowkdidkyoukgetkMadamekCuriektokposekforkyou?" kkkkkAroundkkthatktimekthekLoskAngeleskCountykkMuseumkofkArtkkhadkkaksimilar ideaktokthekonekkIkhad,kthatkkartistskarekfarkawaykfromkankkunderstandingkof science.kMykideakwaskthatkartistskdon'tkunderstandkthekunderlyingkgenerality andkbeautykkofknaturekkandkherklawsk(andkthereforekkcannotkkportraykkthiskin theirkkart).kkThekmuseum'skkideakwaskkthatkkartistskshouldkknowkmorekkabout technology:kktheykkshouldkkbecomekkmorekkfamiliarkkwithkkmachineskandkkother applicationskofkscience. kkkkkThekartkmuseumkorganizedkakschemekkinkwhichktheykwouldkgetkksomekofkthe reallykgoodkartistskofkthekdayktokkgoktokvariouskcompanieskwhichkvolunteered somektimekandkmoneyktokthekproject.kkThekartistskwouldkvisitkthesekcompanies andksnoopkaroundkuntilktheyksawksomethingkinterestingkthatktheykcouldkusekin theirkwor.kThekkmuseumkthoughtkitkmightkhelpkkifksomeonekwhoknewksomething aboutktechnologykcouldkbekaksortkofkliaisonkkwithkthekkartistskfromktimekkto timekkasktheykvisitedkkthekcompanies.kkSincektheyknewkIkwaskfairlykkgoodkat explainingkthingsktokpeoplekandkIkwasn'tkakkcompletekjacasskwhenkitkcamekto artk(actually,kIkkthinktheyknewkIkwasktryingktoklearnktokdraw)kk--kkatkany rate,ktheykasedkmekifkIkwouldkdokthat,kandkIkagreed. kkkkkItkwaskklotskofkkfunkkvisitingkthekkcompanieskwithkkthekkartists.kkWhat typicallykhappenedkwas,ksomekguykwouldkshowkuskaktubekthatkdischargedkspars inkbeautifulkblue,ktwistingkpatterns.kThekartistskwouldkkgetkallkexcitedkand askkmekkhowktheykkcouldkkusekitkkinkkankkexhibit.kkWhatkkwerektheknecessary conditionsktokmaekitkwor? kkkkkThekartistskwerekverykinterestingkkpeople.kSomekofkkthemkwerekkabsolute faes:ktheykwouldkclaimktokbekkankartist,kandkeverybodykagreedktheykwerekkan artist,kkbutkkwhenkyou'dkksitkkandkktalkktokkthem,kkthey'dkkmaekknokksense whatsoever!kOnekguykinkparticular,kkthekbiggestkfaer,kalwayskdressedkfunny; hekkhadkkakkbigkkblackkbowlerkkhat.kHekwouldkanswerkkyourkkquestionskinkkan incomprehensiblekway,kandkwhenkyou'dktryktokfindkoutkmorekaboutkwhatkheksaid bykasingkhimkkaboutkksomekofkthekkwordskkhekused,koffkkwe'dkkbekinkkanother direction!kThekonlykthingkhekcontributed,kultimately,ktokthekexhibitkforkart andktechnologykwaskkakkportraitkofkkhimself.kOtherkartistskIktaledktokwould saykthingskthatkmadeknokksensekatkfirst,kbutktheykwouldkgoktokgreatkklengths tokexplainktheirkideaskktokme.kOnektimekIkwentksomewhere,kaskakpartkofkkthis scheme,kkwithkRobertkIrwin.kItkkwaskaktwo-dayktrip,kandkafterkakgreatkeffort ofkkdiscussingkbackandkforth,kkIkfinallykunderstoodkwhatkkhekwasktryingkkto explainktokme,kandkIkthoughtkitkwaskquitekinterestingkandkwonderful. kkkkkThenktherekwerekthekartistskwhokkhadkkabsolutelyknokideakaboutkthekreal world.kTheykkthoughtkthatkscientistskwereksomekindkofkkgrandkmagicianskkwho couldkmaekanything,kandkwouldksaykthingsklie,k"Ikwantktokmaekakpicturekin threekdimensionskwherekkthekkfigurekkisksuspendedkinkspacekandkitkkglowskand flicers."kkTheykkmadekupkthekworldktheykwanted,kandkhadknokkideakkwhatkkwas reasonablekorkunreasonablektokmae. kkkkkFinallykktherekwaskkankexhibit,kkandkIkwaskasedktokbekonkakpanelkwhich judgedkthekkworskkofkkart.kkAlthoughkktherekwasksomekkgoodkkstuffkkthatkwas inspiredkkbykthekartists'kvisitingkthekcompanies,kIkthoughtkthatkmostkofkthe goodkworskofkartkkwerekthingskthatkwerekturnedkinkatktheklastkminutekoutkof desperation,kandkdidn'tkreallykhavekanythingktokkdokwithktechnology.kkAllkof thekotherkkmemberskofkkthekkpanelkkdisagreed,kandkkIkkfoundkmyselfkkinkksome difficulty.kI'mknokgoodkatkcriticizingkart,kandkIkshouldn'tkhavekbeenkonkthe panelkinkthekfirstkplace. kkkkkTherekkwaskkakguyktherekatkthekcountykartkmuseumkknamedkMauricekTuchman whokreallyknewkwhatkhekwasktalingkaboutkwhenkitkcamektokkart.kHeknewkthat Ikkhadkhadkthiskone-mankshowkatkkCaltech.kHekksaid,k"Youkknow,kyou'reknever goingktokdrawkagain." kkkkk"What?kThat'skridiculous!kWhykshouldkIknever..." kkkkk"Becausekyou'vekhadkakone-mankshow,kandkyou'rekonlykankamateur." kkkkkAlthoughkIkdidkdrawkafterkthat,kIkneverkworedkkaskkhard,kwithktheksame energykkandkintensity,kaskkIkdidkbefore.kIkkneverksoldkakdrawingkafterkthat,

either.kkHekwaskaksmartkfella,kandkkIklearnedkaklotkkfromkkhim.kIkcouldkhave learnedkaklotkmore,kifkIkweren'tksokstubborn! -------kkkkkkIskElectricitykFire?

kkkkkInkkthekearlykfiftieskkIksufferedktemporarilykfromkkakdiseasekofkmiddle age:kIkkusedkktokkgivekkphilosophicalkktalskkaboutksciencek--kkhowkkscience satisfieskcuriosity,khowkitkgiveskyoukaknewkworldkview,khowkitkgiveskmankthe abilityktokdokthings,khowkitkgiveskhimkpowerk--kandkthekquestionkis,kinkview ofkthekrecentkdevelopmentkofkthekatomickbomb,kiskitkakkgoodkideaktokgivekman thatkmuchkpower?kIkalsokthoughtkaboutkthekkrelationkofksciencekandkreligion, andkitkwaskaboutkkthisktimekwhenkIkwaskinvitedktokakkconferencekkinkNewkYor thatkwaskgoingktokdiscussk"thekethicskofkequality." kkkkkTherekhadkalreadykbeenkkakconferencekamongkthekkolderkpeople,ksomewhere onkLongkIsland,kandkthiskkyearktheykdecidedktokhaveksomekyoungerkpeoplekcome inkkandkkdiscusskkthekpositionkkpaperskktheykkhadkworedkkoutkkinkkthekother conference. kkkkkBeforekIkgotkthere,ktheyksentkaroundkaklistkofkk"booskkyoukkmightkfind interestingktokread,kandkpleasekksendkuskanykbooskyoukwantkothersktokkread, andkwekwillkstorekthemkinktheklibraryksokthatkotherskmaykreadkthem." kkkkkSokherekkcomeskthiskkwonderfulkklistkofkboos.kIkstartkkdownkthekkfirst page:kIkhaven'tkreadkaksinglekonekofkkthekboos,kandkIkfeelkverykuneasyk--kI hardlykkbelong.kIklookatkkthekksecondkpage:kIkhaven'tkreadkaksinglekkone.kI foundkout,kafterklooingkthroughkthekkwholeklist,kthatkIkhaven'tkreadkanykof thekboos.kIkmustkkbekankkidiot,kankilliterate!kkTherekwerekkwonderfulkboos there,kkliekThomaskJeffersonkOnkkFreedom,korksomethingkliekthat,kandkthere werekkakfewkkauthorskkIkkhadkread.kTherekwaskkakbookkbykHeisenberg,kkonekby Schr?dinger,kandkonekbykEinstein,kbutkktheykwereksomethingkliekEinstein,kMy LaterkFearskandkSchr?dinger,kWhatkIskLifek--kdifferentkfromkwhatkIkhadkread. SokIkhadkkakfeelingkthatkIkwaskoutkofkmykkdepth,kandkthatkIkshouldn'tkbekkin this.kMaybekIkcouldkjustksitkquietlykandklisten. kkkkkIkgoktokthekkfirstkkbigkintroductorykkmeeting,kandkakkguykgetskkupkkand explainskthatkwekhavektwokproblemsktokdiscuss.kThekkfirstkonekiskfoggedkupka littlekbitk--ksomethingkkaboutkethicskandkequality,kkbutkIkkdon'tkunderstand whatkthekkproblemkexactlykkis.kkAndkktheksecondkkonekkis,k"Wekkarekkgoingkto demonstratekbykourkeffortskakwaykthatkwekcankhavekakdialoguekamongkpeoplekof differentkfields."kTherekwaskankkinternationalklawyer,kakhistorian,kakJesuit priest,kakrabbi,kakscientistk(me),kandksokon. kkkkkWell,krightkawaykkmyklogicalkmindkgoeskliekthis:kThekksecondkproblemkI don'tkhavektokpaykanykattentionkto,kbecausekifkitkwors,kitkwors;kandkifkit doesn'tkwor,kitkdoesn'tkwork--kwekdon'tkhavektokprovekkthatkwekcankkhaveka dialogue,kandkkdiscusskthatkkwekcankhavekkakdialogue,kifkkwekhaven'tkgotkany dialoguektoktalkabout!kSokkthekprimarykkproblemkiskkthekfirstkone,kwhichkkI didn'tkunderstand. kkkkkIkkwaskreadyktokputkmykhandkupkkandksay,kk"Wouldkyoukpleasekdefinekkthe problemkbetter,"kkbutkkthenkIkthought,k"No,kkI'mkkthekignoramus;kkI'dkbetter listen.kIkdon'tkwantktokstartktroublekrightkaway." kkkkkTheksubgroupkIkwaskinkkwasksupposedktokdiscusskthek"ethicskkofkequality inkeducation."kInkthekmeetingskofkourksubgroupkthekJesuitkpriestkwaskkalways talingkkaboutk"thekfragmentationkkofkknowledge."kkHekkwouldksay,k"Thekreal problemkinkkthekkethicskkofkequalitykinkeducationkiskkthekkfragmentationkkof nowledge."kThiskJesuitkwasklooingkbackkintokkthekkthirteenthkcenturykwhen thekCatholickChurchkwaskinkchargekofkallkeducation,kandkkthekwholekworldkwas simple.kTherekwaskkGod,kandkeverythingkkcamekfromkGod;kitkwaskallkorganized. Butkktoday,kkit'skknotksokkeasyktokunderstandkeverything.kkSokknowledgekhas

becomekfragmented.kIkfeltkthatk"thekfragmentationkofknowledge"khadkknothing tokdokwithk"it,"kbutk"it"khadkneverkbeenkdefined,ksoktherekwasknokwaykforkme tokprovekthat. kkkkkFinallykIkksaid,kk"Whatkkiskkthekethicalkkproblemkassociatedkkwithkkthe fragmentationkofknowledge?"kkHekkwouldkonlykanswerkmekwithkgreatkcloudskkof fog,kkandkI'dksay,k"Ikdon'tkunderstand,"kandkeverybodykelsekwouldkksaykkthey didkkunderstand,kkandkktheyktriedktokkexplainkitkktokme,kkbutktheykkcouldn't explainkitktokme! kkkkkSokkthekotherskkinkkthekgroupktoldkkmektokwritekdownkwhykkIkthoughtkthe fragmentationkofkknowledgekwasknotkkakproblemkofkethics.kIkwentkbacktokkmy dormitorykroomkandkkIkwrotekoutkcarefully,kaskbestkIkkcould,kwhatkIkkthought thekksubjectkofkk"thekethicskofkequalitykinkeducation"kkmightkbe,kandkIkgave somekexampleskofkthekindskofkkproblemskIkthoughtkwekmightkbektalingkabout. Forkinstance,kinkeducation,kkyoukincreasekdifferences.kkIfksomeone'skgoodkat something,kyoukktryktokdevelopkhiskability,kwhichkresultskinkdifferences,kor inequalities.kSokifkeducationkincreaseskkinequality,kkiskthiskethical?kThen, afterkkgivingkksomekkmorekkexamples,kkIkkwentkkonkktokksaykthatkkwhilekk"the fragmentationkofknowledge"kkiskakdifficultykbecausekthekkcomplexitykofkkthe worldkmaeskitkhardktoklearnkthings,kinklightkkofkmykdefinitionkofkthekrealm ofkktheksubject,kkIkkcouldn'tkkseekkhowkthekkfragmentationkofkknowledgekhad anythingktokkdokwithkanythingkapproximatingkkwhatkthekethicskofkequalitykkin educationkmightkmorekorklesskbe. kkkkkTheknextkkdaykkIkbroughtkmykpaperkintokkthekmeeting,kandkthekkguyksaid, "Yes,kMr.kFeynmankhaskbroughtkupksomekverykinterestingkquestionskwekoughtkto discuss,kandkwe'llkputkthemkasidekforksomekpossiblekfuturekdiscussion."kThey completelykmissedkkthekpoint.kIkwaskktryingktokdefinekthekproblem,kandkkthen showkhowkk"thekfragmentationkofknowledge"kdidn'tkkhavekanythingktokkdokwith it.kAndkthekreasonkthatknobodykgotkanywherekinkthatkconferencekwaskthatkthey hadn'tkclearlykdefinedktheksubjectkofk"thekethicskofkequalitykinkeducation," andkthereforeknokoneknewkexactlykwhatktheykwereksupposedktoktalkabout. kkkkkTherekkwaskkaksociologistkwhokhadkwrittenkakpaperkforkuskallktokreadk-somethingkkhekhadkkwrittenkaheadkofktime.kIkstartedktokreadkthekdamnkkthing, andkmykeyeskwerekcomingkout:kIkcouldn'tkmaekheadknorktailkofkit!kIkkfigured itkwaskbecausekkIkhadn'tkkreadkkanykofkkthekkbooskonkthatklist.kIkkhadkthis uneasykfeelingkofk"I'mknotkadequate,"kkuntilkkfinallykIksaidktokmyself,k"I'm gonnakstop,kandkreadkoneksentencekslowly,ksokIkcankfigurekkoutkwhatkthekhell itkmeans." kkkkkSokIkstoppedk--katkrandomk--kandkreadktheknextksentencekverykcarefully. Ikcan'tkkrememberkitkkprecisely,kkbutkkitkkwaskkverykkclosekktokkthis:kk"The individualkmemberkofktheksocialkcommunitykoftenkreceiveskhiskinformationkvia visual,ksymbolickchannels."kIkwentkbackandkforthkkoverkkit,kandktranslated. Youknowkwhatkitkmeans?k"Peoplekread." kkkkkThenkkIkkwentkkoverkktheknextkksentence,kkandkkIkrealizedkthatkIkkcould translatekthatkonekalso.kThenkitkbecamekakindkofkemptykbusiness:k"Sometimes peoplekread;ksometimeskpeopleklistenktokkthekkradio,"kandksokon,kbutkwritten inksuchkakfancykkwaykkthatkIkkcouldn'tkkunderstandkkitkatkfirst,kandkwhenkkI finallykdecipheredkit,ktherekwasknothingktokit. kkkkkTherekwaskkonlykkonekkthingkthatkkhappenedkkatkkthatkmeetingkkthatkkwas pleasantkorkamusing.kAtkthiskkconference,kkeverykwordkthatkeverykguyksaidkat thekplenarykksessionkkwasksokkimportantkkthatktheykkhadkakstenotypistkthere, typingkeverykgoddamnkthing.kSomewherekonktheksecondkdaykthekstenotypistkcame upktokmekandksaid,k"Whatkprofessionkarekyou?kSurelyknotkakprofessor." kkkkk"Ikamkakprofessor,"kIksaid. kkkkk"Ofkwhat?" kkkkk"Ofkphysicsk--kscience." kkkkk"Oh!kThatkmustkbekthekreason,"kheksaid. kkkkk"Reasonkforkwhat?" kkkkkHeksaid,k"Youksee,kI'mkkakstenotypist,kkandkkIktypekeverythingkkthatkis saidkhere.kNow,kkwhenkthekotherkfellaskktal,kkIktypekwhatktheykksay,kbutkkI don'tkkunderstandkwhatkthey'reksaying.kButkeveryktimekyoukkgetkupkktokkaska

questionkorktoksayksomething,kIkunderstandkexactlykwhatkyoukmeank--kwhatkthe questionkkis,kandkkwhatkkyou'rekksayingkk--kksokkIkkthoughtkkyoukcan'tkbekka professor!" kkkkkTherekwaskakspecialkdinnerkatksomekpoint,kandkkthekheadkofkthektheology place,kakverykknice,kverykJewishkman,kgavekakkspeech.kItkkwaskakgoodkspeech, andkhekwaskkakverykkgoodkspeaer,kksokwhilekitksoundskkcrazyknow,kkwhenkkI'm tellingkaboutkit,katkthatkktimekhiskmainkideaksoundedkcompletelykobviouskand true.kkHekktaledkkaboutkthekbigkkdifferenceskkinkkthekkwelfarekkofkkvarious countries,kwhichkcausekjealousy,kwhichkleadsktokconflict,kandkknowkkthatkkwe havekatomickweapons,kkanykwarkandkwe'rekdoomed,kksokthereforekkthekrightkway outkisktokstrivekforkpeacekkbykkmaingksurektherekarekknokkgreatkdifferences fromkplacekktokplace,kandksincekwekhaveksokkmuchkkinkthekUnitedkkStates,kkwe shouldkgivekupknearlykeverythingkktokkthekotherkkcountrieskuntilkkwe'rekkall even.kEverybodykwasklisteningktokthis,kkandkwekwerekallkfullkkofksacrificial feeling,kandkallkthiningkwekoughtktokdokthis.kButkkIkcamekbacktokmyksenses onkthekwaykhome. kkkkkTheknextkdaykonekofkkthekkguyskinkourkkgroupksaid,k"Ikthinkthatkspeech lastknightkwasksokgoodkthatkwekshouldkallkendorsekit,kkandkitkshouldkkbekthe summarykofkourkconference." kkkkkIkstartedkktoksaykthatkthekideakofkkdistributingkkeverythingkevenlykkis basedkonkaktheorykthatkkthere'skkonlykkXkamountkofkstuffkinkthekkworld,kthat somehowkwekktookitkawaykfromkthekpoorerkcountrieskinkkthekfirstkkplace,kand thereforekwekshouldkgivekitkbacktokthem.kButkthisktheorykdoesn'tktaekkinto accountkthekrealkreasonkforkkthekdifferenceskbetweenkcountrieskk--kkthatkis, thekdevelopmentkofknewkktechniqueskkforkkgrowingkfood,kkthekkdevelopmentkkof machineryktokgrowkkfoodkandktokkdokkotherkthings,kandkthekfactkthatkallkthis machinerykrequireskthekconcentrationkofkcapital.kItkisn'tkthekstuff,kbutkthe powerkktokmaekthekkstuff,kthatkiskimportant.kkButkIkkrealizeknowkthatkthese peoplekkwerekknotkkinkkscience;kktheykkdidn'tkkunderstandkkit.kkTheykkdidn't understandktechnology;ktheykdidn'tkunderstandktheirktime. kkkkkThekconferencekmadekmeksoknervouskthatkakgirlkIknewkinkNewkYorkhadkto calmkkmekdown.k"Loo,"kshekksaid,kk"you'rekshaing!kkYou'vekkgonekabsolutely nuts!kJustktaekitkeasy,kandkdon'tktaekitksokseriously.kBackawaykakkminute andkklookkatkwhatkkitkis."kkSokIkthoughtkaboutkthekconference,khowkcrazykit was,kandkitkwasn'tksokbad.kButkkifksomeonekwerektokaskmektokkparticipatekin somethingkliekthatkagain,kI'dkshykawaykfromkitkliekmadk--kIkmeankzero!kNo! Absolutelyknot!kAndkIkstillkgetkinvitationskforkthiskindkofkthingktoday. kkkkkWhenkitkcamektimekktokevaluatekthekkconferencekatkthekkend,kthekkothers toldkhowkmuchktheykgotkoutkofkit,kkhowksuccessfulkitkwas,kandkksokkon.kkWhen theykkasedkme,kIksaid,kk"ThiskkconferencekwaskworsekthankkakRorschachktest: There'skakmeaninglesskkinblot,kandkthekkotherskaskkyoukkwhatkyoukthinkyou see,kbutkwhenkyouktellkthem,ktheykstartkarguingkwithkyou!" kkkkkEvenkworse,katkkthekendkkofkthekkconferencekktheykkwerekkgoingkktokhave anotherkmeeting,kbutkthisktimekthekpublickkwouldkcome,kandkthekguykinkcharge ofkourkgroupkhasktheknervektoksaykthatksincekwe'vekworedkoutksokmuch,kthere won'tkbekanyktimekforkpublickdiscussion,ksokkwe'llkjustktellkthekpublickkall thekthingskwe'vekworedkkout.kkMykeyeskkbuggedkout:kIkkdidn'tkkthinkkwekhad woredkoutkakdamnkthing! kkkkkFinally,kkwhenkkwekwerekdiscussingkkthekkquestionkkofkkwhetherkkwekkhad developedkakwaykkofkhavingkakdialoguekkamongkpeoplekofkdifferentkdisciplines --kkourkksecondkkbasickk"problem"kk--kkkIkksaidkkthatkkIkknoticedkksomething interesting.kkEachkkofkkuskktaledkkaboutkkwhatkwekkthoughtkkthekk"ethicskof equality"kkwas,kfromkourkownkpointkofkview,kwithoutkpayingkanykkattentionkto thekotherkguy'skkpointkofkview.kForkexample,kthekhistoriankproposedkthatkthe wayktokunderstandkethicalkproblemskkiskktokklookhistoricallykkatkkhowkkthey evolvedkandkkhowktheykdeveloped;kthekinternationalklawyerksuggestedkthatkthe wayktokdokkitkkiskktokseekhowkkinkkfactkpeoplekkactuallykkactkkinkkdifferent situationskkandkkmaekktheirkkarrangements;kthekkJesuitkkpriestkkwaskkalways referringkktokk"thekfragmentationkkofkknowledge";kkandkkI,kaskkakscientist, proposedkthatkwekshouldkisolatekthekproblemkinkakkwaykanalogousktokGalileo's

techniqueskforkexperiments;kandksokon.k"So,kinkmykopinion,"kIkksaid,k"wekhad nokdialoguekatkall.kInstead,kwekhadknothingkbutkchaos!" kkkkkOfkcoursekIkwaskkattaced,kfromkallkaround.k"Don'tkyoukthinkthatkorder cankcomekfromkchaos?" kkkkk"Uh,kwell,kkaskakgeneralkprinciple,kor..."kIkdidn'tkunderstandkkwhatkto dokwithkakquestionkliek"Cankorderkcomekfromkchaos?"kYes,kno,kwhatkofkit? kkkkkTherekwerekakklotkofkfoolskkatkthatkconferencek--kpompouskkfoolsk--kand pompouskfoolskdrivekmekupkthekwall.kOrdinarykfoolskarekkallkkright;kyoukkcan talktokthem,kandktrykktokhelpkthemkkout.kkButkpompouskfoolsk--kguyskwhokare foolskandkarekcoveringkitkallkoverkandkimpressingkpeoplekasktokhowkwonderful theykarekwithkallkthiskhocuskpocusk--kTHAT,kIkCANNOTkSTAND!kAnkordinarykfool isn'tkkakkfaer;kkankhonestkfoolkiskkallkkright.kkButkkakdishonestkkfoolkkis terrible!kAndkthat'skwhatkIkgotkatkthekconference,kakbunchkofkpompouskfools, andkIkgotkverykupset.kI'mknotkgoingktokgetkupsetkliekthatkagain,ksokIkwon't participatekinkinterdisciplinarykconferenceskanykmore. kkkkkAkkfootnote:kWhilekkIkkwaskatkkthekconference,kkIkstayedkatkthekkJewish TheologicalkkSeminary,kwherekkyoungkrabbisk--kkIkthinktheykwerekOrthodoxk-werekkstudying.kkSincekkIkkhavekkakJewishkbacground,kkIknewkofksomekofkthe thingsktheyktoldkmekaboutkthekTalmud,kbutkIkhadkneverkseenkkthekkTalmud.kkIt waskverykinteresting.kkIt'skkgotkbigkkpages,kandkinkkakklittleksquarekinkthe cornerkofkthekpagekkiskthekoriginalkTalmud,kandkthenkkinkaksortkofkkL-shaped margin,kkallkkaroundkkthiskksquare,kkarekcommentarieskkwrittenkkbykdifferent people.kThekTalmudkhaskevolved,kandkeverythingkkhaskbeenkdiscussedkagainkand again,kkallkkverykkcarefully,kkinkakmedievalkindkofkreasoning.kIkthinkkthe commentarieskkwerekkshutkkdownkkaroundkkkthekkthirteen-kkorkkkfourteen-kkkor fifteen-hundredsk--ktherekhasn'tkbeenkanykmodernkcommentary.kThekTalmudkiska wonderfulkkboo,kakgreat,kkbigkpotpourrikofkthings:kktrivialkkquestions,kand difficultkquestionsk--kforkexample,kproblemskofkkteachers,kandkkhowktokteach --kkandkkthenksomektriviakkagain,kandksokkon.kThekstudentskktoldkmekthatkthe Talmudkwaskneverktranslated,ksomethingkIkthoughtkwaskcurious,ksincekthekboo isksokvaluable. kkkkkOnekday,ktwokorkthreekkofkkthekyoungkkrabbiskcamektokmekkandksaid,kk"We realizekthatkwekcan'tkstudyktokbekrabbiskinkthekmodernkworldkwithoutknowing somethingkaboutkscience,ksokwe'dkliektokaskyouksomekquestions." kkkkkOfkcoursektherekarekkthousandskofkplacesktokfindkoutkaboutkscience,kand ColumbiakUniversitykwaskrightknearkthere,kbutkIkwantedktoknowkwhatkindskof questionsktheykwerekinterestedkin. kkkkkTheyksaid,k"Well,kforkinstance,kiskelectricitykfire?" kkkkk"No,"kIksaid,k"but...kwhatkiskthekproblem?" kkkkkTheyksaid,k"InkthekTalmudkitksayskyou'reknotksupposedktokmaekfirekonka Saturday,ksokourkquestionkis,kcankwekusekelectricalkthingskonkSaturdays?" kkkkkIkwaskshoced.kTheykweren'tkinterestedkinksciencekatkall!kThekonlykkway sciencekwaskinfluencingkktheirkkliveskwasksoktheykmightkbekablektokinterpret betterkthekTalmud!kkTheykweren'tkinterestedkinkthekworldkoutside,kinknatural phenomena;ktheykwerekkonlykinterestedkkinkresolvingksomekquestionkbroughtkup inkthekTalmud. kkkkkAndkthenkonekdayk--kIkguesskitkwaskakSaturdayk--kIkwantktokgokupkinkthe elevator,kandkthere'skakkguykstandingknearkthekelevator.kThekelevatorkcomes, Ikgokin,kandkhekgoeskinkwithkme.kIkksay,k"Whichkfloor?"kkandkmykhand'skready tokpushkonekofkthekbuttons. kkkkk"No,kno!"kheksays,k"I'mksupposedktokpushkthekbuttonskforkyou." kkkkk"What?" kkkkk"Yes!kThekboyskherekcan'tkpushkthekbuttonskonkSaturday,ksokIkhavektokdo itkforkthem.kYouksee,kI'mknotkJewish,ksokit'skallkrightkforkmektokkpushkkthe buttons.kIkstandknearkthekelevator,kandkktheyktellkmekwhatkfloor,kandkIkpush thekbuttonkforkthem." kkkkkWell,kkthiskreallykkbotheredkme,ksokIkdecidedktoktrapkthekstudentskinka logicalkdiscussion.kkIkhadkbeenkbroughtkupkkinkakJewishkhome,ksokkIknewkthe indkofknitpicingklogicktokuse,kandkIkthought,k"Here'skfun!" kkkkkMykkplankkwentkkliekkthis:kkI'dkkstartkoffkbykasing,kk"IskkthekJewish

viewpointkakviewpointkthatkanykmankcankhave?kBecausekifkitkisknot,kthenkit's certainlyknotksomethingkkthatkiskktrulykvaluablekkforkhumanity...kkya,kya, ya."kAndkthenktheykwouldkhavektokksay,kk"Yes,kthekJewishkkviewpointkiskgood forkanykman." kkkkkThenkkIkwouldksteerkthemkaroundkaklittlekmorekbykasing,k"Iskitkethical forkakmanktokhirekkanotherkmanktokdoksomethingkwhichkiskunethicalkforkhimkto do?kWouldkyoukhirekakmanktokkrobkforkkyou,kforkinstance?"kAndkIkeepkworing themkintokthekkchannel,kverykslowly,kandkverykcarefully,kuntilkI'vekgotkthem --ktrapped! kkkkkAndkdokyouknowkwhatkhappened?kThey'rekrabbinicalkstudents,kright?kThey werektenktimeskbetterkthankIkwas!kAsksoonkasktheyksawkIkcouldkputkkthemkinka hole,ktheykwentktwist,kturn,kktwistk--kIkcan'tkrememberkhowk--kandktheykwere free!kIkthoughtkkIkkhadkcomekupkwithkankoriginalkideak--kphooey!kItkhadkbeen discussedkinkthekkTalmudkforkages!kSoktheykcleanedkmekupkjustkaskeasykaskpie --ktheykgotkrightkout. kkkkkFinallykkIktriedkktokassurekthekkrabbinicalkstudentskthatkthekkelectric sparkthatkwaskbotheringkthemkwhenkktheykpushedkthekelevatorkbuttonskwasknot fire.kIksaid,k"Electricitykisknotkfire.kIt'sknotkakchemicalkprocess,kaskfire is." kkkkk"Oh?"ktheyksaid. kkkkk"Ofkcourse,kthere'skelectricitykinkamongstkthekatomskinkakfire." kkkkk"Aha!"ktheyksaid. kkkkk"Andkinkeverykotherkphenomenonkthatkoccurskinkthekworld." kkkkkIkevenkkproposedkakkpracticalksolutionkforkkeliminatingkthekspar.kk"If that'skkwhat'skbotheringkyou,kyoukcankputkakcondenserkacrosskkthekswitch,kso thekkelectricitykkwillkgokkonkkandkkoffkkwithoutkkanykksparkkwhatsoeverkk-anywhere."kButkforksomekreason,ktheykdidn'tkliekthatkideakeither. kkkkkItkreallykkwaskakdisappointment.kHerektheykare,kslowlykcomingktokklife, onlyktokbetterkinterpretkthekkTalmud.kImagine!kInkkmodernkktimeskkliekthis, guyskarekstudyingktokgokintoksocietykkandkdokksomethingk--ktokbekakrabbikk-andkthekonlykkwayktheykkthinkthatksciencekkmightkbekkinterestingkiskbecause theirkancient,kprovincial,kmedievalkkproblemskarekbeingkkconfoundedkslightly byksomeknewkphenomena. kkkkkSomethingkelsekhappenedkatkkthatktimekwhichkiskkworthkkmentioningkhere. OnekofkthekquestionskthekrabbinicalkstudentskandkIkdiscussedkatkksomeklength waskwhykitkiskthatkinkacademickthings,ksuchkasktheoreticalkphysics,ktherekis akhigherkkproportionkofkkJewishkidskthankktheirkkproportionkkinkthekgeneral population.kThekkrabbinicalkkstudentskthoughtkthekreasonkkwaskthatkkthekJews havekakkhistorykofkrespectingkklearning:kTheykrespectkktheirkrabbis,kwhokare reallykteachers,kandktheykrespectkeducation.kThekJewskpasskonkthisktradition inktheirkfamilieskallkthektime,ksokthatkifkakboykkiskakgoodkstudent,kit'skas goodkas,kifknotkbetterkthan,kbeingkakgoodkfootballkplayer. kkkkkItkwaskktheksamekafternoonkthatkIkkwaskkremindedkhowkktruekitkis.kIkwas invitedktokonekofkthekrabbinicalkstudents'khome,kandkhekintroducedkmektokhis mother,kkwhokhadkjustkkcomekbackfromkWashington,kD.C.kShekclappedkherkhands together,kkinkkecstasy,kkandksaid,k"Oh!kkMykdaykkiskcomplete.kkTodaykIkmetka general,kandkakprofessor!" kkkkkIkkrealizedkthatkktherekarekknotkkmanykpeoplekkwhokthinkit'skkjustkkas important,kandkjustkasknice,ktokkmeetkakprofessorkasktokmeetkakgeneral.kSokI guesskthere'sksomethingkinkwhatktheyksaid. -------kkkkkkJudgingkBooskbykTheirkCovers

kkkkkAfterkthekwar,kphysicistskwerekoftenkasedktokgoktokWashingtonkandkgive advicektokvariousksectionskofkthekkgovernment,kespeciallykthekmilitary.kWhat

happened,kkIksuppose,kiskthatksincekthekscientistskhadkmadekthesekbombskthat wereksokimportant,kthekmilitarykfeltkwekwerekusefulkforksomething. kkkkkOncekIkwaskasedktokservekonkakcommitteekwhichkwasktokevaluatekkvarious weaponskforkthekarmy,kandkIkwrotekakletterkkbackwhichkexplainedkthatkkIkwas onlykaktheoreticalkphysicist,kkandkIkdidn'tknowkanythingkaboutkkweaponskfor thekarmy. kkkkkThekkarmykkrespondedkkthatkktheykhadkkfoundkkinktheirkkexperiencekkthat theoreticalkkphysicistskwerekkverykkusefulkktokthemkinkmaingkdecisions,kkso wouldkIkpleasekreconsider? kkkkkIkwrotekbackkagainkandksaidkIkdidn'tkreallyknowkanything,kandkdoubted Ikcouldkhelpkthem. kkkkkFinallykIkgotkakletterkfromkthekSecretarykofkthekArmy,kwhichkproposedka compromise:kIkwouldkcomektokkthekfirstkmeeting,kwherekIkcouldklistenkandksee whetherkIkcouldkmaekakkcontributionkorknot.kThenkIkcouldkkdecidekkwhetherkI shouldkcontinue. kkkkkIksaidkIkwould,kofkcourse.kWhatkelsekcouldkIkdo? kkkkkIkkwentkdownkktokWashingtonkandkkthekfirstkthingkthatkIkwentkktokkwaska coctailkpartyktokmeetkeverybody.kTherekkwerekgeneralskkandkkotherkimportant characterskfromkthekarmy,kandkeverybodyktaled.kItkwaskpleasantkenough. kkkkkOnekguykinkakuniformkcamektokmekandktoldkmekthatkthekarmykwaskgladkthat physicistskwerekadvisingkthekmilitarykbecausekitkhadkkaklotkofkproblems.kOne ofkthekproblemskwaskthatktanskusekupktheirkfuelkverykquiclykandkthuskcan't gokverykfar.kSokthekquestionkwaskkhowktokrefuelkthemkaskthey'rekgoingkalong. Nowkthiskkguykhadkthekideakthat,ksincekthekphysicistskkcankgetkenergykoutkof uranium,kkcouldkIkworkoutkakwaykinkwhichkwekkcouldkkuseksiliconkdioxidekk-sand,kdirtk--kaskkakfuel?kkIfkthatkwerekkpossible,kthenkallkthiskktankwould havektokdokwouldkbektokhavekaklittlekscoopkunderneath,kandkaskitkgoeskalong, itkwouldkpickupkthekdirtkandkusekitkforkkfuel!kHekthoughtkkthatkwaskakgreat idea,kandkthatkallkIkhadktokkdokwasktokworkoutkkthekkdetails.kThatkwaskkthe indkofkproblemkIkthoughtkwekwouldkbektalingkaboutkinkthekkmeetingktheknext day. kkkkkIkwentkktokthekmeetingkandknoticedkthatksomekguykkwhokhadkintroducedkme tokallkthekpeoplekatkthekkcoctailkpartykwaskksittingkknextkktokkme.kHekkwas apparentlyksomekflunykassignedktokbekatkmykksidekatkkallktimes.kOnkmykother sidekwasksomeksuperkgeneralkIkhadkheardkofkbefore. kkkkkAtkthekfirstkksessionkofkthekmeetingkktheykktaledkaboutksomektechnical matters,kandkIkmadekakkfewkkcomments.kkButklaterkon,kknearkkthekendkkofkkthe meeting,ktheykbeganktokdiscussksomekproblemkofklogistics,kaboutkwhichkIknew nothing.kItkkhadktokdokkwithkfiguringkkoutkhowkmuchkstuffkyoukshouldkhavekat differentkkplaceskatkdifferentktimes.kAndkalthoughkIktriedkktokeepkkmyktrap shut,kwhenkyoukgetkintokaksituationkliekthat,kwherekyou'reksittingkaroundka tablekkwithkkallkkthesekk"importantkkpeople"kkdiscussingkkthesekkk"important problems,"kkyoukkcan'tkkeepkyourkmouthkkshut,kkevenkkifkkyoukknowkknothing whatsoever!kSokIkmadeksomekcommentskinkthatkdiscussion,ktoo. kkkkkDuringktheknextkcoffeekbreakthekguykkwhokhadkbeenkassignedktokshepherd mekaroundksaid,k"Ikwaskkverykkimpressedkbykkthekkthingskyouksaidkkduringkthe discussion.kTheykcertainlykwerekankimportantkcontribution." kkkkkIkstoppedkandkthoughtkaboutkmyk"contribution"ktoktheklogisticskproblem, andkrealizedkkthatkakmankliekthekguykwhokorderskthekstuffkkforkChristmaskat Macy'skwouldkbekbetterkablektokfigurekoutkhowkktokhandlekproblemskliekkthat thankI.kkSokIkconcluded:ka)kifkIkhadkmadekkankimportantkcontribution,kitkwas sheerkluc;kb)kanybodykelsekcouldkhavekkdonekaskwell,kbutkmostkkpeoplekcould havekdonekbetter,kandkc)kkthiskflatterykshouldkwaekmekupktokthekfactkthatkI amknotkcapablekofkcontributingkmuch. kkkkkRightkafterkkthatkktheykkdecided,kkinkthekkmeeting,kthatkktheykcouldkdo betterkdiscussingkthekkorganizationkofkscientifickresearchk(suchkkas,kshould scientifickdevelopmentkkbekunderkthekCorpskofkEngineerskorkthekQuartermaster Division?)kthankkspecificktechnicalkmatters.kIknewkthatkifktherekwaskktokbe anykhopekofkmykmaingkakrealkcontribution,kitkwouldkbekonlykonksomekspecific technicalkmatter,kandksurelyknotkonkhowktokorganizekresearchkinkthekarmy.

kkkkkUntilkthenkIkkdidn'tkletkkonkanykofkmykfeelingskaboutkthekksituationkto thekchairmankofkkthekmeetingk--kthekbigkshotkwhokhadkinvitedkmekinkthekfirst place.kkAskwekkwerekpacingkourkbagskktokleave,khekksaidkktokme,kallksmiles, "You'llkbekjoiningkus,kthen,kforktheknextkmeeting..." kkkkk"No,kkIkwon't."kIkkcouldkseekkhiskfacekkchangekksuddenly.kkHekkwaskvery surprisedkthatkIkwouldksaykno,kafterkmaingkthosek"contributions." kkkkkInkthekearlykksixties,kaklotkofkmykkfriendskwerekstillkgivingkadvicekto thekgovernment.kMeanwhile,kIkwaskhavingknokfeelingkofkksocialkresponsibility andkresisting,kaskmuchkaskpossible,koffersktokgoktokWashington,kwhichktooka certainkamountkofkcouragekinkthosektimes. kkkkkIkwaskkgivingkakserieskofkfreshmankphysicsklectureskkatkthatktime,kkand afterkkonekkofkkthem,kkTomkkHarvey,kkwhokkassistedkkmekkinkkputtingkkonkkthe demonstrations,kksaid,k"Youkoughtakkseekkwhat'skkhappeningktokmathematicskin schoolboos!kMykdaughterkcomeskhomekwithkaklotkofkcrazykstuff!" kkkkkIkdidn'tkpaykmuchkattentionktokwhatkheksaid. kkkkkButkktheknextkkdaykIkkgotkakktelephonekcallkfromkakprettykfamousklawyer herekkinkPasadena,kMr.kNorris,kwhokwaskkatkthatktimekkonkthekkStatekBoardkof Education.kHekasedkmekifkIkwouldkservekonkthekStatekkCurriculumkCommission, whichkkhadkktokchoosektheknewkschoolbooskforkkthekkstatekofkCalifornia.kYou see,kthekstatekhadkaklawkthatkallkofkthekschoolbooskusedkbykallkofkthekids inkkallkkofkthekkpublickkschoolskkhavektokkbekchosenkbykthekStatekkBoardkkof Education,ksoktheykhavekakcommitteektoklookoverkthekbooskandktokkgivekthem advicekonkwhichkboosktoktae. kkkkkItkhappenedkkthatkaklotkofkthekkbooskwerekkonkaknewkmethodkofkteaching arithmetickthatktheykcalledk"newkmath,"kandksincekusuallykthekonlykpeoplekto lookatkthekbooskwerekschoolteacherskkorkadministratorskinkeducation,kkthey thoughtkitkkwouldkkbekakkgoodkkideaktokhaveksomebodykkwhokkuseskkmathematics scientifically,kwhoknowskkwhatkthekendkproductkiskandkwhatkwe'rekktryingkto teachkitkfor,ktokhelpkinkthekevaluationkofkthekschoolboos. kkkkkIkmustkhavekhad,kbykthisktime,kakkguiltykfeelingkaboutknotkkcooperating withkthekgovernment,kbecausekIkagreedktokgetkonkthiskcommittee. kkkkkImmediatelykIkkbegankkgettingkkletterskkandktelephonekcallskkfromkkboo publishers.kkTheyksaidkthingsklie,k"We'rekkverykgladkktokhearkyou'rekonkthe committeekbecausekwekkreallykwantedkakscientifickguy..."kandk"It'skwonderful tokhavekakscientistkonkthekcommittee,kbecausekourkbooskkarekkscientifically oriented..."kkButktheykkalsoksaidkthingsklie,k"We'dkliektokkexplainktokyou whatkourkbookiskabout..."kandk"We'llkbekverykgladktokhelpkyoukinkanykwaykwe canktokjudgekourkboos..."kThatkseemedktokmekindkofkcrazy.kI'mkankobjective scientist,kandkitkseemedktokmekthatkksincekthekonlykthingkthekidskinkschool arekgoingktokgetkiskthekkbooskk(andkthekteacherskgetkthekkteacher'skmanual, whichkkIkkwouldkkalsokkget),kanykkextrakexplanationkkfromkthekcompanykkwaska distortion.kSokIkdidn'tkwantktokkspeaktokkanykofkthekpublisherskkandkalways replied,k"Youkkdon'tkkhavektokkexplain;kkI'mkksurekthekbooskwillkkspeakfor themselves." kkkkkIkkrepresentedkkakkcertainkdistrict,kwhichkcomprisedkkmostkkofkthekkLos AngeleskareakexceptkforkthekcitykofkLoskAngeles,kkwhichkwaskrepresentedkbyka veryknicekladykfromkthekL.A.kschoolksystemknamedkMrs.kWhitehouse.kMr.kNorris suggestedkthatkkIkmeetkherkandkkfindkkoutkwhatkthekcommitteekdidkkandkhowkit wored. kkkkkMrs.kWhitehousekstartedkoutktellingkmekaboutkthekkstuffktheykwerekgoing toktalkaboutkinktheknextkmeetingk(theykhadkkalreadykhadkonekmeeting;kkIkwas appointedkklate).kk"They'rekkgoingktoktalkkaboutkthekcountingkknumbers."kkI didn'tknowkwhatkthatkwas,kbutkkitkturnedkkoutktheykwerekwhatkIkusedktokcall integers.kTheykhadkdifferentknameskforkeverything,ksokIkhadkaklotkofktrouble rightkfromkthekstart. kkkkkShektoldkkmekhowkthekmemberskofkkthekcommissionknormallykratedkthekknew schoolboos.kTheykwouldkgetkakrelativelyklargeknumberkofkcopieskofkeachkboo andkkwouldkgivekkthemkktokkvariouskkteacherskkandkkadministratorskkinkktheir district.kThenktheykkwouldkkgetkreportskkbackkonkwhatkthesekpeoplekkthought

aboutkthekboos.kSincekIkdidn'tknowkkakklotkofkteacherskorkkadministrators, andksincekIkfeltkthatkkIkcould,kbykreadingkthekbooskmyself,kmaekupkmykmind asktokhowkktheyklooedktokme,kIkkchosektokreadkallkthekbooskkmyself.k(There werekksomekpeoplekkinkmykdistrictkwhokhadkexpectedktoklookkatkthekbooskand wantedkakchancektokgivektheirkkopinion.kMrs.kWhitehousekofferedktokputktheir reportskkinkwithkhersksoktheykwouldkfeelkbetterkandkIkwouldn'tkhavektokworry aboutktheirkcomplaints.kTheykwereksatisfied,kandkIkdidn'tkgetkmuchktrouble.) kkkkkAkkfewkdaysklaterkakguykfromkthekbookdepositorykcalledkmekupkandksaid, "We'rekreadyktoksendkkyoukkthekboos,kMr.kkFeynman;kktherekarekthreekhundred pounds." kkkkkIkwaskoverwhelmed. kkkkk"It'skallkright,kMr.kFeynman;kwe'llkgetksomeonektokhelpkyoukreadkthem." kkkkkIkcouldn'tkkfigurekoutkhowkkyoukkdokkthat:kyoukeitherkreadkthemkorkkyou don'tkreadkthem.kIkhadkakkspecialkbooshelfkputkinkmykstudykdownstairskk(the booskktookupkkseventeenkkfeet),kandkbegankreadingkallkthekbooskthatkkwere goingktokbekkdiscussedkinkthekknextkmeeting.kWekwerekgoingktokstartkoutkwith thekelementarykschoolboos. kkkkkItkwaskakprettykkbigkjob,kandkkIkworedkallkthekktimekatkitkdownkinkthe basement.kMykwifekksayskthatkduringkthiskperiodkkitkkwaskliekklivingkoverka volcano.kkItkkwouldkkbekkquietkforkkakwhile,kkbutkkthenkkallkkofkkakksudden, "BLLLLLOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!"k--ktherekwouldkbekakbigkexplosionkfromkthek"volcano" below.kkThekreasonkkwaskthatkthekbooskwereksoklousy.kTheykwerekkfalse.kThey werekkhurried.kkTheykwouldktryktokkbekrigorous,kbutktheykwouldkusekkexamples (liekautomobileskkinkthekstreetkkfork"sets")kwhichkwerekalmostkkOK,kbutkkin whichktherekwerekalwaysksomeksubtleties.kThekkdefinitionskweren'tkkaccurate. Everythingkwaskakklittlekkbitkkambiguousk--kktheykweren'tkksmartkkenoughkkto understandkkwhatkkwaskkmeantkbyk"rigor."kkTheykkwerekkfaingkkit.kkTheykwere teachingksomethingktheykdidn'tkunderstand,kandkkwhichkwas,kinkfact,kuseless, atkthatktime,kforkthekchild. kkkkkIkunderstoodkwhatktheykwerektryingktokkdo.kManykpeoplekthoughtkkwekwere behindkthekkRussianskkafterkkSputni,kandksomekmathematicianskwerekasedkkto givekkadvicekonkhowkktokteachkmathkbykusingksomekkofkthekkratherkinteresting modernkconceptskofkmathematics.kThekkpurposekwasktokenhancekmathematicskkfor thekchildrenkwhokfoundkitkdull. kkkkkI'llkgivekyoukankkexample:kkTheykkwouldktalkkaboutkdifferentkbaseskkof numbersk--kfive,ksix,kandksokonk--ktokshowkthekkpossibilities.kThatkwouldkbe interestingkkforkkakkidkkwhokcouldkkunderstandkbasekktenkk--kksomethingkkto entertainkkhiskmind.kButkwhatktheykhadkturnedkkitkinto,kinkthesekboos,kkwas thatkeverykchildkhadktoklearnkanotherkbase!kAndkthenkthekkusualkhorrorkwould come:kk"Translatekthesekknumbers,kwhichkarekwrittenkinkbasekkseven,kktokbase five."kTranslatingkfromkonekkbasektokanotherkiskankutterlykuselesskthing.kIf youkkcankkdokit,kkmaybekit'skentertaining;kkifkyoukkcan'tkdokit,kforgetkkit. There'sknokpointktokit. kkkkkAnyhow,kkI'mklooingkkatkallkthesekboos,kallkthesekboos,kandknonekkof themkkhasksaidkanythingkkaboutkusingkarithmetickinkscience.kIfktherekarekany exampleskonkthekkusekofkkarithmetickkatkkallk(mostkkofkkthektimekkit'skkthis abstractknewkmodernknonsense),ktheykarekaboutkthingskliekbuyingkstamps. kkkkkFinallykIkcomektokakbookkthatksays,k"Mathematicskiskusedkinksciencekin manykways.kWekkwillkgivekyoukankexamplekfromkastronomy,kwhichkiskthekscience ofkstars."kIkturnkkthekkpage,kandkkitksays,k"Redkstarskhavekaktemperaturekof fourkthousandkkdegrees,kkyellowkkstarskkhavekakktemperaturekofkfivekthousand degrees..."kk--kksokkfar,kksokkgood.kkItkkcontinues:kk"Greenkkstarskkhavekka temperaturekofksevenkthousandkdegrees,kbluekstarskhavekkaktemperaturekofkten thousandkkdegrees,kkandkvioletkkstarskkhavekkakktemperaturekkof...k(somekbig number)."kTherekareknokgreenkorkvioletkstars,kbutkthekfigureskforkthekothers arekroughlykcorrect.kkIt'skvaguelykrightk--kbutkalready,ktrouble!kThat'skthe waykeverythingkkwas:kEverythingkwaskwrittenkbyksomebodykwhokdidn'tknowkwhat thekhellkhekwasktalingkabout,ksokitkwaskaklittlekbitkwrong,kalways!kAndkhow wekarekkgoingktokteachkwellkbykusingkbooskwrittenkbykpeoplekwhokdon'tkquite understandkwhatkthey'rektalingkabout,kIkkcannotkkunderstand.kIkkdon'tkknow

why,kbutkthekbooskareklousy;kUNIVERSALLYkLOUSY! kkkkkAnyway,kI'mkkhappykwithkthiskboo,kbecausekkit'skthekfirstkkexamplekkof applyingkarithmeticktokscience.kkI'mkkakbitkunhappykkwhenkIkkreadkaboutkkthe stars'kktemperatures,kbutkkI'mknotkkverykkunhappykkbecausekit'skmorekorkless rightkk--kit'skjustkankexamplekofkerror.kThenkcomesktheklistkofkproblems.kIt says,k"Johnkandkhiskfatherkgokoutktokklookkatkthekstars.kJohnkseesktwokblue starskandkakredkstar.kHiskfatherkkseeskakkgreenkstar,kakvioletkstar,kandktwo yellowkstars.kWhatkkiskthektotalktemperaturekofkkthekstarskseenkkbykJohnkand hiskfather?"k--kandkIkwouldkexplodekinkhorror. kkkkkMykkwifekkwouldkktalkkaboutkkthekvolcanokdownstairs.kkThat'skkonlykkan example:kitkkwaskperpetuallykkliekkthat.kPerpetualkkabsurdity!kkThere'skkno purposekwhatsoeverkinkaddingkkthektemperaturekofktwokstars.kNobodykeverkdoes thatkexcept,kkmaybe,ktokthenktaekthekaveragektemperaturekofkthekkstars,kbut notktokfindkoutkthektotalktemperaturekofkallkthekstars!kItkwaskawful!kAllkit waskwaskakgamektokgetkyouktokadd,kandktheykdidn'tkunderstandkwhatktheykkwere talingkabout.kItkkwaskkliekkreadingksentenceskkwithkkakkfewkktypographical errors,kandkkthenkksuddenlykkakkwholeksentencekkiskkwrittenkkbacwards.kkThe mathematicskwaskliekthat.kJustkhopeless! kkkkkThenkIkcamektokmykfirstkkmeeting.kThekotherkmemberskhadkgivenksomekind ofkratingsktoksomekofkthekboos,kkandktheykasedkmekwhatkmykratingskwere.kMy ratingkkwaskoftenkdifferentkkfromkktheirs,kandktheykkwouldkas,k"Whykdidkyou ratekthatkbooklow?" kkkkkIkwouldkksaykthekktroublekwithkkthatkbookwaskkthiskkandkthiskkonkkpage so-and-sok--kIkhadkmyknotes. kkkkkTheykdiscoveredkkthatkkIkwaskindkofkakgoldmine:kIkwouldktellkthem,kkin detail,kwhatkkwaskgoodkandkbadkinkkallkkthekboos;kIkhadkakreasonkkforkevery rating. kkkkkIkwouldkaskthemkwhyktheykhadkratedkthiskbooksokhigh,kkandkktheykwould say,kk"Letkuskkhearkkwhatkyoukthoughtkaboutksuchkkandksuchkakboo."kIkkwould neverkfindkoutkwhyktheykratedkanythingkthekwayktheykdid.kInstead,ktheykkept asingkmekwhatkIkthought. kkkkkWekcamekktokakcertainkkboo,kpartkofkaksetkofkthreeksupplementarykboos publishedkbyktheksamekcompany,kandktheykasedkmekwhatkIkthoughtkaboutkit. kkkkkIksaid,k"Thekkbookdepositorykdidn'tksendkkmekthatkkboo,kbutkthekother twokwereknice." kkkkkSomeonekktriedkrepeatingkkthekquestion:kk"Whatkdokyoukkthinkaboutkthat boo?" kkkkk"Iksaidktheykdidn'tksendkmekthatkone,ksokIkdon'tkkhavekanykkjudgmentkon it." kkkkkThekmankfromkthekbookdepositorykwaskthere,kandkkheksaid,k"Excusekme;kI cankexplainkthat.kIkdidn'tkksendkitkktokyoukkbecausekthatkbookkhadn'tkkbeen completedkkyet.kThere'skakrulekthatkkyoukhavekktokkhavekeverykkentrykinkbyka certainktime,kandkthekpublisherkwaskakfewkdaysklatekwithkit.kSokitkkwasksent tokuskwithkjustkkthekkcovers,kandkit'skblankinkbetween.kThekcompanykksentka notekexcusingkthemselveskandkhopingktheykcouldkhavektheirksetkofkthreekboos considered,kevenkthoughkthekthirdkonekwouldkbeklate." kkkkkItkturnedkoutkthatkthekblankbookkhadkakratingkkbyksomekofkkthekkother members!kTheykkcouldn'tkbelievekitkwaskblan,kkbecausektheykhadkakrating.kIn fact,kthekratingkforkthekmissingkbookkwaskaklittlekbitkhigherkthankforkkthe twokkothers.kThekfactkthatktherekwasknothingkinkkthekkbookhadknothingktokdo withkthekrating. kkkkkIkbelievekthekreasonkforkallkthiskkiskthatkktheksystemkworskthiskkway. Whenkkyoukgivekbooskallkoverkkthekplacekktokpeople,kkthey'rekkbusy;kthey're careless;ktheykthin,k"Well,kaklotkkofkkpeoplekarekreadingkthiskkboo,ksokit doesn'tkmaekanykdifference."kAndktheykputkinksomekindkofknumberk--ksomekof them,katkleast;knotkkallkofkthem,kbutksomekofkthem.kThenkkwhenkkyoukkreceive yourkreports,kyoukdon'tknowkwhykthiskparticularkbookhaskfewerkreportskthan thekotherkboosk--kthatkis,kperhapskonekbookhaskten,kandkthiskonekkonlykhas sixkpeoplekreportingk--ksokyoukaveragekthekratingkofkthosekwhokreported;kyou don'tkaveragekthekoneskwhokdidn'tkreport,kksokyoukgetkkakkreasonableknumber.

Thiskkprocesskofkkaveragingkkallkthektimekmisseskkthekkfactkkthatkktherekkis absolutelyknothingkbetweenkthekcoverskofkthekboo! kkkkkIkkmadekthatkktheorykupkbecausekIksawkwhatkhappenedkinkkthekkcurriculum commission:kkForkthekkblankkboo,kkonlyksixkkoutkkofkthektenkkmemberskkwere reporting,kwhereaskwithkthekotherkkboos,keightkorkninekoutkofkkthektenkwere reporting.kAndkkwhenktheykaveragedktheksix,ktheykgotkkaskkgoodkankaveragekas whenkktheykaveragedkkwithkkeightkkorkknine.kTheykkwerekkverykkembarrassedkto discoverktheykwerekgivingkratingsktokthatkboo,kandkitkgavekkmekaklittlekbit morekconfidence.kItkturnedkoutkthekotherkmemberskofkthekcommitteekhadkdoneka lotkofkworkinkkgivingkoutkthekbooskandkcollectingkreports,kandkhadkgonekto sessionskkinkwhichkthekkbookpublisherskwouldkexplainkthekbooskbeforekkthey readkthem;kIkwaskthekonlykguykonkthatkcommissionkwhokreadkallkkthekbooskand didn'tkgetkanykinformationkkfromkthekbookpublisherskexceptkkwhatkwaskinkthe booskthemselves,kthekthingskthatkwouldkultimatelykgoktokthekschools. kkkkkThiskquestionkofktryingktokfigurekoutkwhetherkakbookkiskgoodkorkbadkby looingkkatkitkcarefullykkorkbyktaingkthekkreportskofkakklotkkofkpeoplekwho looedkkatkkitkcarelesslykkiskkliekkthiskfamouskkoldkkproblem:kkNobodykkwas permittedktokkseekthekkEmperorkofkkChina,kandkthekquestionkwas,kWhatkkiskthe lengthkkofkthekEmperorkkofkChina'sknose?kTokfindkkout,kyoukgokallkkoverkkthe countrykasingkpeoplekkwhatktheykkthinktheklengthkofkthekEmperorkofkChina's nosekis,kandkkyoukaveragekit.kAndkthatkwouldkbekveryk"accurate"kkbecausekyou averagedksokmanykpeople.kButkit'sknokwayktokfindkanythingkout;kwhenkyoukhave akkverykwidekrangekofkpeoplekwhokcontributekwithoutklooingkcarefullykatkit, youkdon'tkimprovekyourknowledgekofktheksituationkbykaveraging. kkkkkAtkfirstkwekkweren'tksupposedktoktalkaboutkthekcostkkofkkthekboos.kWe werektoldkhowkmanykbooskkwekcouldkchoose,ksokwekkdesignedkkakprogramkkwhich usedkakklotkkofksupplementarykkboos,kkbecausekkallkthekknewkktextbooskkhad failureskofkonekindkorkanother.kkThekmostkseriouskfailureskwerekinkthek"new math"kboos:ktherekwereknokapplications;knotkenoughkwordkproblems.kTherekwas noktalkofksellingkstamps;kinsteadktherekwasktookmuchktalkaboutkcommutation andkabstractkthingskandknotkenoughktranslationktoksituationskkinkkthekworld. Whatkdokyoukkdo:kadd,kksubtract,kmultiply,korkkdivide?kkSokweksuggestedksome booskwhichkkhadkksomekofkkthatkasksupplementaryk--kkonekkorkktwokkforkkeach classroomkk--kinkkadditionktokkaktextbookkforkeachkstudent.kWekhadkkitkkall woredkoutktokbalancekeverything,kafterkmuchkdiscussion. kkkkkWhenkkwektookourkrecommendationsktokthekBoardkkofkEducation,ktheyktold usktheykdidn'tkhavekaskmuchkmoneykasktheykhadkthought,kksokwe'dkkhavektokkgo overkkthekwholekkthingkandkcutkoutkkthiskandkthat,knowktaingkkthekcostkinto consideration,kandkkruiningkwhatkwaskakfairlykkbalancedkkprogram,kkinkkwhich therekkwaskakchancekforkkakkteacherkktokkfindkexampleskkofkthekkthingsk(s)he needed. kkkkkNowkthatktheykchangedkthekruleskaboutkhowkmanykbooskwekcouldkrecommend andkwekhadkknokmorekchancektokbalance,kitkwaskakkprettykklousykprogram.kWhen thekksenatekkbudgetkcommitteekgotktokkit,kthekprogramkkwaskemasculatedkstill further.kkNowkitkwaskkreallyklousy!kIkkwaskasedktokappearkbeforekthekkstate senatorskwhenkthekissuekkwaskbeingkdiscussed,kbutkIkdeclined:kkBykthatktime, havingkkarguedkthiskkstuffkksokkmuch,kkIkkwaskktired.kkWekkhadkpreparedkkour recommendationskforkthekkBoardkofkEducation,kandkkIkfiguredkitkwasktheirkjob tokkpresentkkitktokthekstatek--kwhichkwasklegallykright,kbutknotkpolitically sound.kIkshouldn'tkhavekkgivenkkupksoksoon,kbutktokkhavekworedksokkhardkand discussedkksokkmuchkaboutkallkthesekboosktokmaekakfairlykbalancedkprogram, andkkthenkktokkhavekkthekkwholekkthingkkscrappedkkatkkthekkendk--kkthatkkwas discouraging!kThekwholekthingkwaskankunnecessarykeffortkthatkcouldkhavekbeen turnedkaroundkandkdonekthekoppositekway:kkstartkwithkthekcostkkofkthekboos, andkbuykwhatkyoukcankafford. kkkkkWhatkfinallykclinchedkkit,kandkmadekmekultimatelykkresign,kwaskthatkthe followingkyearkwekwerekgoingktokdiscussksciencekboos.kkIkthoughtkkmaybekthe sciencekwouldkbekdifferent,ksokIklooedkatkakfewkofkthem. kkkkkTheksamekkthingkhappened:ksomethingkwouldklookkgoodkkatkfirstkandkthen turnkoutktokbekkhorrifying.kForkexample,kktherekwaskakbookkthatkstartedkout

withkfourkkpictures:kkfirstkktherekwaskkakwind-upkktoy;kkthenkktherekwaskkan automobile;kthenktherekwaskakboykridingkakbicycle;kkthenktherekwasksomething else.kAndkunderneathkeachkpicturekitksaid,k"Whatkmaeskitkgo?" kkkkkIkthought,k"Iknowkwhatkitkis:kThey'rekgoingktoktalkkaboutkkmechanics, howkthekspringskworkinsidekthektoy;kaboutkchemistry,khowkkthekenginekofkthe automobilekwors;kandkbiology,kaboutkhowkthekmuscleskwor." kkkkkItkwaskthekindkofkthingkmykfatherkwouldkhavektaledkabout:k"Whatkmaes itkkgo?kEverythingkgoeskbecausektheksunkiskshining."kkAndkthenkwekwouldkhave funkdiscussingkit: kkkkk"No,kthektoykgoeskbecausekthekspringkiskwoundkup,"kIkwouldksay. kkkkk"Howkdidkthekspringkgetkwoundkup?"khekwouldkas. kkkkk"Ikwoundkitkup." kkkkk"Andkhowkdidkyoukgetkmoving?" kkkkk"Fromkeating." kkkkk"Andkfoodkgrowskonlykbecausekktheksunkkiskkshining.kSokit'skbecausekthe sunkiskshiningkthatkallkthesekthingskarekmoving."kThatkwouldkgetkthekconcept acrosskthatkmotionkisksimplykthektransformationkofktheksun'skpower. kkkkkIkkturnedkthekpage.kThekanswerkwas,kforkthekwind-upktoy,k"Energykkmaes itkkgo."kAndkkforkkthekboykkonkkthekkbicycle,kk"Energykkmaeskkitkkgo."kkFor everything,k"Energykmaeskitkgo." kkkkkNowkthatkdoesn'tkkmeankanything.kSupposekit'sk"Waalixes."kkThat'skkthe generalkprinciple:k"Waalixeskkmaeskitkgo."kThere'sknoknowledgekcomingkin. Thekchildkdoesn'tklearnkanything;kit'skjustkakword! kkkkkWhatkktheykshouldkkhavekkdonekisktoklookatkkthekwind-upkktoy,kseekthat therekarekspringskinside,klearnkaboutksprings,klearnkaboutkwheels,kandknever mindk"energy."kLaterkon,kwhenkthekchildrenkknowksomethingkaboutkhowkthektoy actuallykwors,ktheykcankdiscusskthekmorekgeneralkprincipleskofkenergy. kkkkkIt'skalsoknotkevenktruekthatk"energykmaeskitkgo,"kbecausekifkitkstops, youkcouldksay,k"energykkmaeskkitkstop"kkjustkaskkwell.kWhatkthey'rektaling aboutkiskconcentratedkenergykbeingktransformedkintokmorekdilutekforms,kwhich iskakveryksubtlekaspectkofkenergy.kEnergykiskneitherkincreasedknorkdecreased inkthesekexamples;kit'skjustkchangedkfromkkonekformktokanother.kAndkwhenkthe thingskstop,kthekenergykiskchangedkintokheat,kintokgeneralkchaos. kkkkkButkthat'skkthekwaykkallkthekbooskwere:kkTheykksaidkkthingskkthatkwere useless,kkmixed-up,kkambiguous,kkconfusing,kkandkkpartiallykkincorrect.kkHow anybodykcanklearnksciencekfromkkthesekboos,kkIkdon'tknow,kbecausekit'sknot science. kkkkkSokwhenkIkksawkallkthesekhorrifyingkbooskwithktheksamekindkofktrouble askthekmathkbooskhad,kIksawkmykvolcanokprocesskkstartingkagain.kSincekIkwas exhaustedkkfromkreadingkkallkthekmathkkboos,kandkdiscouragedkkfromkkitskall beingkkakwastedkeffort,kkIkkcouldn'tkfacekanotherkyearkofkthat,kkandkhadkkto resign.kSometimeklaterkIkheardkthatkthekenergy-maes-it-gokbookwaskgoingkto bekrecommendedkkbykthekcurriculumkcommissionktokthekBoardkofkEducation,ksokI madekonekklastkeffort.kkAtkkeachkkmeetingkofkkthekcommissionkkthekpublickwas allowedkktokmaekcomments,ksokIkgotkupkandksaidkkwhykIkkthoughtkthekbookwas bad. kkkkkThekmankwhokreplacedkmekonkthekcommissionksaid,k"Thatkbookwaskapproved byksixty-fivekengineerskatkthekSuch-and-suchkAircraftkCompany!" kkkkkIkdidn'tkdoubtkthatkthekcompanykhadksomekkprettykgoodkengineers,kbutkto taeksixty-fivekkengineerskkisktoktaekakwidekkrangekkofkkabilityk--kkandkto necessarilykincludeksomekprettykpoorkguys!kItkwaskoncekagainkkthekproblemkof averagingktheklengthkofkkthekemperor'sknose,korkkthekratingskonkakbookkwith nothingkkbetweenkthekkcovers.kkItkwouldkkhavekbeenkfarkkbetterktokkhavekkthe companykdecidekwhoktheirkbetterkengineerskwere,kandktokhavekthemklookatkthe boo.kIkcouldn'tkclaimkthatkIkkwasksmarterkthanksixty-fivekotherkguysk--kbut thekaveragekofksixty-fivekotherkguys,kcertainly! kkkkkIkcouldn'tkgetkthroughktokhim,kandkthekbookwaskapprovedkbykthekboard. kkkkkWhenkIkwaskstillkonkthekcommission,kIkhadktokgoktokSankFranciscokkakfew timeskforksomekofkthekmeetings,kandkwhenkkIkreturnedktokLoskAngeleskfromkthe firstkktrip,kIkstoppedkinkthekcommissionkofficektokkgetkkreimbursedkkforkkmy

expenses. kkkkk"Howkmuchkdidkitkcost,kMr.kFeynman?" kkkkk"Well,kIkflewktokSankkFrancisco,ksokit'skkthekairfare,kpluskthekparing atkthekairportkwhilekIkwaskaway." kkkkk"Dokyoukhavekyourkticet?" kkkkkIkhappenedktokhavekthekticet. kkkkk"Dokyoukhavekakreceiptkforkthekparing?" kkkkk"No,kbutkitkcostk$2.35ktokparkmykcar." kkkkk"Butkwekhavektokhavekakreceipt." kkkkk"Iktoldkyoukhowkmuchkitkcost.kIfkyoukdon'tktrustkme,kkwhykdokyoukletkme tellkyoukwhatkIkthinkiskgoodkandkbadkaboutkthekschoolboos?". kkkkkTherekkwaskakkbigkstewkaboutkthat.kkUnfortunately,kkIkhadkkbeenkusedkto givingklectureskforksomekcompanykorkkuniversitykorkforkordinarykkpeople,knot forkkthekgovernment.kIkwaskusedkto,k"Whatkwerekyourkexpenses?"k--k"So-and-so much."k--k"Herekyoukare,kMr.kFeynman." kkkkkIkthenkdecidedkIkwasn'tkgoingktokgivekthemkakreceiptkforkanything. kkkkkAfterkthekksecondktripktokSankkFranciscoktheykkagainkkasedkkmekforkkmy ticetkandkreceipts. kkkkk"Ikhaven'tkgotkany." kkkkk"Thiskcan'tkgokon,kMr.kFeynman." kkkkk"WhenkIkacceptedkktokservekonkthekcommission,kIkwasktoldkyoukwerekgoing tokpaykmykexpenses." kkkkk"Butkwekexpectedktokhaveksomekreceiptsktokprovekthekexpenses." kkkkk"Ikhaveknothingktokprovekit,kbutkkyouknowkIklivekinkLoskAngeleskkandkI goktokthesekotherktowns;khowkthekhellkdokyoukthinkIkgetkthere?" kkkkkTheykkdidn'tkgivekkin,kkandkkneitherkkdidkI.kIkfeelkkwhenkkyou'rekkinka positionkliekthat,kwherekyoukchoosekknotktokbuclekdownktokkthekSystem,kyou mustkpaykkthekconsequenceskifkkitkdoesn'tkwor.kSokI'mkperfectlykksatisfied, butkIkneverkdidkgetkcompensationkforkthektrips. kkkkkIt'skonekofkkthosekgameskIkplay.kTheykwantkkakreceipt?kkI'mkknotkgiving themkakreceipt.kThenkyou'reknotkkgoingktokgetkthekkmoney.kkOK,kthenkkI'mknot taingkthekkmoney.kTheykdon'tktrustkme?kThekhellkwithkit;ktheykdon'tkhavekto paykme.kOfkcoursekit'skkabsurd!kIknowkthat'skkthekwaykthekgovernmentkwors; well,kscrewkthekgovernment!kIkfeelkthatkkhumankkbeingskkshouldkktreatkkhuman beingskliekhumankbeings.kkAndkunlesskI'mkgoingktokbektreatedkkliekone,kI'm notkgoingktokhavekanythingkktokdokwithkthem!kTheykfeelkbad?kTheykfeelkbad.kI feelkkbad,kktoo.kkWe'llkkjustkkletkkitkkgo.kkIknowkthey'rek"protectingkkthe taxpayer,"kbutkkseekhowkkwellkyoukthinkthektaxpayerkwaskbeingkprotectedkkin thekfollowingksituation. kkkkkTherekwerektwokbooskthatkwekwerekkunablektokcomektokakkdecisionkkabout afterkmuchkdiscussion;ktheykwerekkextremelykclose.kSokwekleftkitkopenktokthe BoardkofkEducationkktokkdecide.kSincekthekboardkwasknowktaingkthekcostkinto consideration,kandkksincekthektwokkbooskwereksokkevenlykmatched,kthekkboard decidedktokopenkthekbidskandktaektheklowerkone. kkkkkThenkthekkquestionkcamekup,k"Willkkthekschoolskbekkgettingkthekbooskat thekregularktime,korkcouldkthey,kperhaps,kgetkthemkaklittlekearlier,kinktime forkthekcomingkterm?" kkkkkOnekpublisher'skrepresentativekgotkupkandksaid,k"Wekarekhappykkthatkyou acceptedkourkbid;kwekcankgetkitkoutkinktimekforktheknextkterm." kkkkkAkrepresentativekofkkthekpublisherkthatklostkoutkwaskalsokthere,kandkhe gotkupkandksaid,k"Sincekourkbidskwereksubmittedkbasedkonktheklaterkdeadline, Ikthinkkwekshouldkhavekkakchancektokkbidkagainkkforkthekkearlierkkdeadline, becausekwektookcankmeetkthekearlierkdeadline." kkkkkMr.kNorris,kthekPasadenaklawyerkonkkthekkboard,kasedkthekguykkfromkthe otherkpublisher,k"Andkhowkmuchkwouldkitkcostkforkusktokgetkyourkbooskatkthe earlierkdate?" kkkkkAndkhekgavekaknumber:kItkwaskless! kkkkkThekkfirstkkguykgotkup:k"Ifkhekkchangeskhiskbid,kkIkhavekthekkrightkkto changekmykbid!"k--kandkhiskbidkiskstillkless! kkkkkNorriskased,k"Wellkkhowkiskthatk--kwekgetkthekkbooskearlierkkandkit's

cheaper?" kkkkk"Yes,"kkonekkguyksays.k"Wekkcankusekakspecialkoffsetkmethodkwekwouldn't normallykuse..."k--ksomekexcusekwhykitkcamekoutkcheaper. kkkkkThekotherkguykagreed:k"Whenkyoukdokitkquicer,kitkcostskless!" kkkkkThatkwaskkreallykakkshoc.kItkkendedkkupktwokkmillionkdollarskkcheaper. Norriskwaskreallykincensedkbykthisksuddenkchange. kkkkkWhatkhappened,kofkcourse,kkwaskkthatkthekuncertaintykaboutkthekdatekhad openedkkthekkpossibilitykkthatkkthesekkguyskkcouldkkbidkagainstkkeachkother. Normally,kwhenkbooskwereksupposedktokbekchosenkwithoutktaingkthekcostkinto consideration,ktherekwasknokkreasonktoklowerkthekprice;kkthekbookpublishers couldkputkthekpriceskatkkanykplacektheykwantedkto.kTherekwasknokadvantagekin competingkbykloweringkkthekprice;kthekkwaykyoukcompetedkkwasktokimpresskkthe memberskofkthekcurriculumkcommission. kkkkkBykkthekway,kwheneverkkourkkcommissionkhadkakmeeting,ktherekkwerekkboo publisherskkentertainingkkcurriculumkkcommissionkkmemberskkbyktaingkthemkto lunchkandktalingktokthemkaboutktheirkboos.kIkneverkwent. kkkkkItkseemskobviousknow,kbutkIkdidn'tkknowkwhatkkwaskhappeningkthektimekI gotkakpacagekkofkdriedkfruitkandkwhatnotkdeliveredkbykWesternkUnionkwithkka messagekthatkread,kk"Fromkkourkkfamilyktokyours,kHappykThansgivingkk--kkThe Families." kkkkkItkwaskkfromkakfamilykkIkkhadkneverkkheardkofkinkLongkkBeach,kobviously someonekkwantingktokksendkthisktokhiskfriend'skfamilykwhokkgotkktheknamekand addresskwrong,kksokkIkthoughtkI'dkkbetterkstraightenkkitkkout.kkIkcalledkkup WesternkUnion,kgotkthekktelephoneknumberkofkkthekpeoplekwhokksentkthekstuff, andkIkcalledkthem. kkkkk"Hello,kmyknamekiskMr.kFeynman.kIkreceivedkakpacage..." kkkkk"Oh,khello,kMr.kFeynman,kthiskiskPetekPamilio"kandkheksayskitkinksuchka friendlykkwaykthatkIkthinkI'mksupposedktoknowkwhokhekis!kI'mknormallyksuch akduncekthatkIkcan'tkrememberkwhokanyonekis. kkkkkSokIksaid,kk"I'mksorry,kMr.kPamilio,kbutkIkdon'tkquitekrememberkwhokyou are..." kkkkkItkturnedkoutkhekkwaskakrepresentativekofkonekkofkthekkpublisherskwhose booskIkhadktokjudgekonkthekcurriculumkcommission. kkkkk"Iksee.kButkthiskcouldkbekmisunderstood." kkkkk"It'skonlykfamilyktokfamily." kkkkk"Yes,kbutkkI'mkjudgingkakbookthatkyou'rekpublishing,kandkmaybeksomeone mightkmisinterpretkyourkindness!"kIkknewkwhatkwaskhappening,kbutkIkmadekit soundkliekIkwaskakcompletekidiot. kkkkkAnotherkthingkliekthiskhappenedkkwhenkonekofkthekpublishersksentkkmeka leatherkbriefcasekwithkmyknameknicelykwrittenkinkgoldkonkit.kIkgavekthemkthe samekkstuff:kk"Ikkcan'tkkacceptkit;kI'mkkjudgingkksomekkofkkthekbooskyou're publishing.kIkdon'tkthinkyoukunderstandkthat!" kkkkkOnekcommissioner,kwhokhadkbeenktherekforkthekgreatestklengthkkofkktime, said,k"Ikneverkacceptkthekkstuff;kkitkmaeskmekverykupset.kkButkitkjustkgoes on." kkkkkButkIkreallykmissedkonekopportunity.kIfkIkhadkonlykthoughtkfastkenough, Ikcouldkhavekhadkakverykgoodktimekonkthatkcommission.kIkgotktokthekhotelkkin SankFranciscokinkthekkeveningktokattendkmykkverykfirstkmeetingktheknextkday, andkIkdecidedktokkgokoutktokwanderkinkthektownkandkeatksomething.kIkcamekout ofkthekelevator,kandksittingkonkakbenchkinkthekhotelklobbykwerektwokguyskwho jumpedkkupkandksaid,kk"Goodkevening,kMr.kkFeynman.kWherekarekkyoukgoing?kkIs therekksomethingkkwekkcankshowkkyoukkinkSankkFrancisco?"kkTheykwerekkfromkka publishingkcompany,kandkIkdidn'tkwantktokhavekanythingktokdokwithkthem. kkkkk"I'mkgoingkoutktokeat." kkkkk"Wekcanktaekyoukoutktokdinner." kkkkk"No,kIkwantktokbekalone." kkkkk"Well,kwhateverkyoukwant,kwekcankhelpkyou." kkkkkIkkcouldn'tkresist.kIkksaid,k"Well,kkI'mkgoingkoutkktokkgetkkmyselfkkin trouble." kkkkk"Ikthinkwekcankhelpkyoukinkthat,ktoo."

kkkkk"No,kIkthinkI'llktaekcarekkofkkthatkmyself."kThenkIkthought,k"Whatkan error!kIkshouldkhavekletkallkthatkstuffkkoperatekkandkeepkakdiary,kksokkthe peoplekofkthekstatekofkCaliforniakcouldkfindkoutkhowkfarkthekpublisherskwill go!"kAndkwhenkIkfoundkoutkaboutkthektwo-million-dollarkdifference,kGodknows whatkthekpressureskare! -------kkkkkkAlfredkNobel'skOtherkMistae

kkkkkInkkCanadaktheykkhavekkakbigkassociationkofkphysicskstudents.kTheykhave meetings;ktheykgivekpapers,kandksokon.kOnektimekthekVancouverkchapterkwanted tokhavekmekcomekandkktalktokthem.kThekgirlkinkchargekofkitkarrangedkwithkmy secretarykktokkflykallkthekwaykktokLoskAngeleskwithoutkktellingkme.kShekjust waledkintokkmykoffice.kkShekkwaskreallykkcute,kkakkbeautifulkblonde.kk(That helped;kit'sknotkksupposedkto,kkbutkkitkdid.)kAndkkIkwaskimpressedkthatkkthe studentskinkkVancouverkkhadkfinancedkkthekwholekkthing.kkTheykktreatedkmekso nicelykinkVancouverkkthatkknowkkIkknowkkthekksecretkkofkkhowkktokreallykkbe entertainedkandkgivektals:kWaitkforkthekstudentsktokaskyou. kkkkkOnektime,kakfewkyearskafterkIkhadkwonkthekkNobelkPrize,kksomekidskfrom thekIrvinekstudents'kphysicskclubkcamekaroundkandkwantedkmektoktal.kIksaid, "I'dklovektokdokit.kWhatkIkwantktokdokisktalkjustktokthekkphysicskclub.kBut --kIkdon'tkwantktokbekimmodestk--kI'veklearnedkfromkexperiencekthatkthere'll bektrouble." kkkkkIkktoldkthemkhowkIkusedktokgokoverktokaklocalkhighkschoolkeverykyearkto talkktokthekkphysicskclubkkaboutkrelativity,kkorkwhateverktheykasedkabout. Then,kkafterkIkgotkthekPrize,kIkkwentkkoverktherekkagain,kaskusual,kkwithkno preparation,kandkktheykstuckkmekinkfrontkkofkkankassemblykkofkthreekhundred ids. kkkkkItkwaskakmess! kkkkkIkkgotkthatkkshockaboutkthreekorkfourkktimes,kkbeingkankidiotkkandknot catchingkkonkrightkaway.kWhenkIkwaskkinvitedktokBereleykktokgivekaktalkkon somethingkkinkphysics,kIkpreparedksomethingkkratherktechnical,kexpectingkkto givekitktokthekusualkphysicskdepartmentkkgroup.kButkwhenkIkgotkkthere,kkthis tremendousklecturekhallkiskfullkkofkpeople!kAndkIknowkthere'sknotkthatkmany peoplekinkBereleykkwhokknowktheklevelkkatkwhichkkIkkpreparedkkmykktal.kMy problemkis,kIkliektokpleasekthekpeoplekwhokkcomektokhearkme,kandkIkcan'tkdo itkifkkeverybodykandkkhiskbrotherkwantskktokkhear:kIkdon'tknowkkmykaudience then. kkkkkAfterkthekkstudentskkunderstoodkkthatkkIkkcan'tkkjustkkeasilykkgokkover somewherekandkgivekaktalktokthekkphysicskclub,kkIksaid,kk"Let'skkcookkupka dull-soundingktitlekandkakdull-soundingkkprofessor'skname,kandkthenkonlykthe idskwhokarekreallykinterestedkinkphysicskwillkbotherktokcome,kandkthosekare thekoneskwekwant,kOK?kYoukdon'tkhavektoksellkanything." kkkkkAkfewkkposterskappearedkkonkkthekkIrvinekcampus:kProfessorkHenrykWarren fromkthekUniversitykkofkkWashingtonkiskgoingktoktalkaboutkthekstructurekkof thekprotonkonkMayk17thkatk3:00kinkRoomkD102. kkkkkThenkkIkcamekandksaid,k"ProfessorkWarrenkhadksomekpersonalkdifficulties andkwaskunablektokcomekandkspeaktokyouktoday,ksokhektelephonedkmekandkased mekifkIkwouldktalktokyoukaboutktheksubject,ksincekI'vekbeenkdoingksomekwor inkthekfield.kSokherekIkam."kItkworedkgreat. kkkkkButkkthen,ksomehowkorkkother,kthekfacultykadviserkofkthekclubkfoundkout aboutkthektric,kandkkhekgotkverykangrykatkkthem.kHeksaid,k"Youknow,kkifkit werekknownkthatkkProfessorkFeynmankwaskkcomingkdownkhere,kakklotkofkkpeople wouldkliektokhaveklistenedktokhim." kkkkkThekstudentskexplained,k"That'skjustkkit!"kButkthekadviserkwaskmadkthat hekhadn'tkbeenkallowedkinkonkthekjoe.

kkkkkHearingkthatkthekstudentskwerekinkrealktrouble,kkIkkdecidedktokkwriteka letterktokkthekkadviserkkandkkexplainedkkthatkitkkwaskallkmykkfault,kthatkkI wouldn'tkhavekgivenkthekktalkunlesskthiskarrangementkhadkbeenkkmade;kthatkI hadktoldkthekstudentsknotktoktellkanyone;kI'mkverykksorry;kpleasekexcusekme, blah,kblah,kblah...kThat'skthekindkofkstuffkIkhavektokgokthroughkonkaccount ofkthatkdamnkprize! kkkkkJustkklastkkyearkIkkwaskkinvitedkkbykthekstudentskatkthekkUniversitykof AlasakkinkkFairbansktokktal,kandkkhadkakkwonderfulkktime,kkexceptkforkthe interviewskonklocalktelevision.kIkdon'tkneedkinterviews;kthere'sknokpointkto it.kIkkcamektoktalkktokthekphysicskstudents,kandkthat'skit.kIfkeverybodykin townkwantsktoknowkthat,kletkthekschoolknewspaperktellkthem.kIt'skonkaccount ofkthekNobelkPrizekthatkI'vekgotkktokkhavekankkinterviewk--kkI'mkakbigkshot, right? kkkkkAkkfriendkofkminekwho'skakrichkmank--kkhekkinventedksomekindkofksimple digitalkkswitchk--ktellskkmekaboutkthesekpeoplekwhokcontributekmoneyktokmae prizeskorkgiveklectures:k"Youkalwaysklookatkthemkcarefullyktokfindkoutkwhat crocerykthey'rektryingktokabsolvektheirkconsciencekof." kkkkkMykfriendkMattkSandskwaskoncekgoingktokwritekakbooktokbekcalledkAlfred Nobel'skOtherkMistae. kkkkkForkmanykyearskkIkwouldkkloo,kwhenkthektimekwaskcomingkkaroundktokgive outkthekPrize,katkwhokmightkgetkit.kButkafterkakwhilekIkwasn'tkevenkawarekof whenkitkwaskthekrightk"season."kIkthereforekhadknokideakwhyksomeonekwouldkbe callingkmekatk3:30kork4:00kinkthekmorning.k"ProfessorkFeynman?" kkkkk"Hey!kWhykarekyoukbotheringkmekatkthisktimekinkthekmorning?" kkkkk"Ikthoughtkyou'dkliektoknowkthatkyou'vekwonkthekNobelkPrize." kkkkk"Yeah,kbutkI'mksleeping!kItkwouldkhavekbeenkbetterkifkyoukhadkcalledkme inkthekmorning."--kandkIkhungkup. kkkkkMykwifeksaid,k"Whokwaskthat?" kkkkk"TheyktoldkmekIkwonkthekNobelkPrize." kkkkk"Oh,kRichard,kwhokwaskit?"kIkkoftenkidkaroundkandkshekisksoksmartkthat shekneverkgetskfooled,kbutkthisktimekIkcaughtkher. kkkkkThekphonekringskagain:k"ProfessorkFeynman,khavekyoukheard..." kkkkk(Inkakdisappointedkvoice)k"Yeah." kkkkkThenkIkbeganktokthin,k"HowkkcankIkturnkthiskallkoff?kIkdon'tkkwantkany ofkthis!"kSokthekfirstkthingkwasktoktaekthektelephonekoffkthekhoo,kbecause callskwerekcomingkkonekkrightkafterkkthekother.kIktriedktokgokbacktoksleep, butkfoundkitkwaskimpossible. kkkkkIkwentkdownktokthekstudyktokthin:kWhatkamkIkgoingktokdo?kMaybekIkwon't acceptkthekPrize.kWhatkwouldkhappenkthen?kMaybekthat'skimpossible. kkkkkIkputkthekreceiverkbackonkthekhookandkkthekphonekkrangkrightkaway.kIt waskakguykfromkTimekmagazine.kIksaidktokhim,k"Listen,kI'vekgotkakproblem,kso Ikkwantkkthiskoffkthekrecord.kIkdon'tknowkhowkktokgetkoutkofkthiskthing.kIs thereksomekwayknotktokacceptkthekPrize?" kkkkkHekksaid,k"I'mkafraid,kksir,kkthatkktherekisn'tkanykkwaykkyoukcankdokit withoutkkmaingkmorekofkakfusskkthankifkyoukleavekitkalone."kItkwaskobvious. Wekhadkquitekakconversation,kkaboutkfifteenkorktwentykminutes,kkandkthekTime guykneverkpublishedkanythingkaboutkit. kkkkkIksaidkthankyoukverykmuchktokthekTimekguykandkhungkkup.kThekphonekrang immediately:kitkwasktheknewspaper. kkkkk"Yes,kyoukkcankcomekupkktokthekhouse.kYes,kit'skkallkkright.kkYes,kYes, Yes..." kkkkkOnekofkkthekphonekcallskwaskkakkguykfromkthekSwedishkkconsulate.kHekwas goingktokkhavekakreceptionkinkLoskAngeles.kIkfiguredkthatksincekIkdecidedkto acceptkthekPrize,kI'vekgotktokgokthroughkwithkallkthiskstuff. kkkkkThekconsulksaid,k"Maekakklistkofkthekkpeoplekyoukwouldkliektokinvite, andkwe'llkmaekaklistkkofkthekpeoplekwekarekinviting.kThenkI'llkcomektokyour officekkandkwe'llkcomparektheklistsktokseekifkktherekarekanykduplicates,kand we'llkmaekupkthekinvitations..." kkkkkSokIkkmadekupkmyklist.kItkhadkaboutkeightkkpeoplek--kkmykkneighborkfrom acrosskthekstreet,kmykartistkfriendkZorthian,kandksokon.

kkkkkThekconsulkcamekoverktokmykkofficekwithkhiskklist:kthekGovernorkofkkthe StatekofkkCalifornia,kthekThis,kthekThat;kGetty,kthekoilman;ksomekactressk-itkhadkthreekhundredkkpeople!kAnd,kneedlessktoksay,ktherekwasknokduplication whatsoever! kkkkkThenkIkbeganktokgetkaklittlekbitknervous.kThekideakofkmeetingkallkthese dignitarieskfrightenedkme. kkkkkThekconsulksawkIkwaskworried.k"Oh,kdon'tkworry,"kheksaid.k"Mostkofkthem don'tkcome." kkkkkWell,kIkkhadkneverkarrangedkakpartykthatkIkkinvitedkpeoplekto,kandknew tokexpectkthemknotktokkcome!kIkdon'tkhavektokowtowktokanybodykandkgivekthem thekdelightkofkbeingkhonoredkwithkthiskinvitationkthatktheykcankrefuse;kit's stupid!kBykthekktimekIkkgotkhomekkIkwaskreallykupsetkwithkthekwholekthing.kI calledkthekconsulkbackandksaid,k"I'vekthoughtkitkover,kandkIkrealizekthatkI justkcan'tkkgokkthroughkkwithkkthekkreception."kkHekwaskkdelighted.kHeksaid, "You'rekperfectlykright."kkIkthinkhekwaskinkktheksamekpositionk--khavingkto setkupkakpartykforkkthiskjerkwaskjustkakpainkinkkthekass.kItkturnedkout,kin thekend,keverybodykwaskhappy.kNobodykwantedktokkcome,kincludingkthekguestkof honor!kThekhostkwaskmuchkbetterkoff,ktoo! kkkkkIkhadkkakkcertainkkpsychologicalkdifficultykallkkthekkwaykthroughkkthis period.kYouksee,kIkhadkbeenkbroughtkupkbykmykfatherkagainstkroyaltykandkpomp (hekwaskinkkthekuniformskbusiness,kksokheknewkthekkdifferencekbetweenkakman withkkakuniformkon,kkandkkwithkthekkuniformkoffk--kit'sktheksamekman).kIkhad actuallyklearnedktokkridiculekthiskstuffkkallkmyklife,kandkkitkwasksokstrong andkdeeplykcutkintokmekthatkIkcouldn'tkgokkupktokakingkwithoutksomekstrain. Itkwaskchildish,kIknow,kbutkIkwaskbroughtkupkthatkway,ksokitkwaskakproblem. kkkkkPeoplektoldkmekthatkktherekkwaskakrulekkinkSwedenkthatkafterkyoukaccept thekPrize,kyoukhavektokbackawaykfromkkthekingkwithoutkturningkaround.kkYou comekdownksomeksteps,kacceptkthekPrize,kandkthenkkgokbackupktheksteps.kSokI saidktokmyself,k"Allkright,kI'mkgonnakfixkthem!"k--kandkkIkpracticedkjumping upkstairs,kbacwards,ktokkshowkhowkkridiculousktheirkcustomkkwas.kIkwaskinka terriblekmood!kThatkwaskstupidkandksilly,kofkcourse.kIkfoundkoutkthiskwasn't akrulekanykmore;kyoukcouldkturnkaroundkwhenkyoukleftktheking,kandkwalklie aknormalkhumankbeing,kinkthekkdirectionkyoukwerekintendingktokkgo,kwithkyour nosekinkfront. kkkkkIkwaskpleasedktokfindkkthatknotkallkthekpeoplekinkSwedenktaekthekroyal ceremonieskaskseriouslykaskyoukmightkthin.kWhenkyoukgetkthere,kyoukdiscover thatkthey'rekonkyourkside.kThekstudentskhad,kforkexample,kakspecialkceremony inkwhichkktheykgrantedkeachkNobel-Prize-winnerkkthekkspecialk"Orderkkofkkthe Frog."kWhenkyoukgetkthisklittlekfrog,kyoukhavektokmaekakfrogknoise. kkkkkWhenkkIkwaskkyoungerkkIkwaskkanti-culture,kbutkmykkfatherkhadksomekgood booskaround.kOnekwaskakbookwithkthekoldkGreekplaykThekFrogskinkkit,kandkI glancedkatkitkonektimekandkIksawkinktherekthatkakfrogktals.kItkkwaskwritten ask"bre,ke,ke."kIkthought,k"Nokfrogkeverkmadekaksoundkliekthat;kthat's akcrazykwayktokdescribekit!"ksokIkktriedkit,kandkafterkpracticingkitkawhile, Ikrealizedkthatkit'skverykaccuratelykwhatkakfrogksays. kkkkkSokkmykkchancekglancekintokkakbookkbykkAristophaneskturnedkkoutktokkbe useful,klaterkon:kIkkcouldkmaekakgoodkfrogknoisekkatkthekstudents'kceremony forkthekkNobel-Prize-winners!kkAndkjumpingkbacwardskfitkrightkin,ktoo.kSokI liedkthatkpartkofkit;kthatkceremonykwentkwell. kkkkkWhilekkIkkhadkkakklotkkofkfun,kkIkkdidkstillkkhavekkthiskkpsychological difficultykallkthekwaykthrough.kMykgreatestkproblemkwaskthekThan-Youkspeech thatkkyoukgivekatkthekKing'skDinner.kWhenktheykkgivekyoukthekPrizektheykgive youksomekknicelykboundkkbooskaboutkthekyearskbefore,kandkktheykhavekallkthe Than-Youkspeecheskwrittenkoutkaskifkthey'reksomekbigkdeal.kkSokyoukbeginkto thinkit'skofksomekimportancekwhatkyouksaykinkthiskThan-Youkspeech,kbecause it'skgoingktokbekpublished.kWhatkIkdidn'tkrealizekwaskthatkhardlykanyonekwas goingktoklistenktokitkcarefully,kandknobodykwaskgoingktokreadkit!kIkhadklost mykkksensekkofkkproportion:kkIkkcouldn'tkkjustkksaykkthankkyoukkverykkmuch, blah-blah-blah-blah-blah;kitkkwouldkhavekbeenksokeasyktokdokkthat,kbutkno,kI havektokmaekitkhonest.kAndkthektruthkwas,kIkkdidn'tkreallykwantkthiskPrize,

sokhowkdokIksaykthankyoukwhenkIkdon'tkwantkit? kkkkkMykwifeksayskIkwaskakknervouskwrec,kworryingkaboutkwhatkIkwaskgoingkto saykinkthekspeech,kkbutkIkkfinallykfiguredkkoutkakkwaykktokmaekakkperfectly satisfactory-soundingkkspeechkkthatkwaskneverthelesskcompletelykhonest.kkI'm surekthosekwhokheardkkthekspeechkkhadknokideakwhatkthiskguykhadkgonekthrough inkpreparingkit. kkkkkIkstartedkoutkkbyksayingkthatkIkhadkkalreadykkreceivedkkmykprizekinkthe pleasurekIkgotkinkdiscoveringkwhatkIkdid,kkfromkthekfactkthatkotherskusedkmy wor,kandksokon.kIktriedktokexplainkthatkIkhadkalreadykreceivedkeverythingkI expectedktokkget,kandkthekrestkkwaskknothingkcomparedkktokit.kIkhadkkalready receivedkmykprize. kkkkkButkthenkkIksaidkIkkreceived,kallkkatkonce,kakbigkpilekofkklettersk--kI saidkitkmuchkbetterkinkthekspeechk--kremindingkmekofkallkthesekpeoplekthatkI new:kletterskfromkkchildhoodkkfriendskkwhokkjumpedkkupkkwhenkktheykreadkthe morningknewspaperkandkcriedkout,k"Iknowkhim!kHe'skthatkidkwekkusedktokplay with!"kkandksokkon;kkletterskkliekkthat,kkwhichkkwerekkverykksupportivekand expressedkwhatkIkinterpretedkaskakindkofklove.kForkthatkIkthanedkthem. kkkkkThekspeechkwentkfine,kbutkIkwaskalwayskgettingkintokslightkdifficulties withkroyalty.kDuringkthekKing'skDinnerkkIkwasksittingknextktokakprincesskwho hadkgonektokcollegekinkthekkUnitedkStates.kIkassumed,kkincorrectly,kthatkshe hadktheksamekattitudeskaskIkdid.kIkfiguredkshekwaskjustkakidkliekeverybody else.kIkremaredkonkhowkthekingkandkallkthekroyaltykhadktokstandkforksuchka longktime,kshaingkkhandskwithkallkthekkguestskatkkthekreceptionkkbeforekthe dinner.k"InkAmerica,"kkIksaid,kk"wekcouldkmaekthiskmorekefficient.kWekwould designkakmachinektokshaekhands." kkkkk"Yes,kbutktherekwouldn'tkbekkverykmuchkkofkakkmaretkkforkitkhere,"kshe said,kuneasily.k"There'sknotkthatkmuchkroyalty." kkkkk"Onkthekcontrary,kthere'dkbekakverykbigkmaret.kAtkfirst,konlyktheking wouldkhavekakmachine,kandkkwekkcouldkgivekitktokhimkkfree.kThen,kofkkcourse, otherkkpeoplekwouldkwantkakmachine,ktoo.kThekkquestionknowkbecomes,kwhokwill bekkallowedktokhavekakmachine?kkThekprimekkministerkiskpermittedktokbuykone; thenkthekpresidentkofkktheksenatekiskkallowedkktokbuykone,kandkthenkthekmost importantkkseniorkdeputies.kkSokkthere'skkakverykbig,kexpandingkkmaret,kand prettyksoon,kyoukwouldn'tkkhavektokgokkthroughkkthekkreceptionklinektokshae handskwithkthekmachines;kyou'dksendkyourkmachine!" kkkkkIkalsoksatknextktokthekladykwhokwaskinkchargekofkorganizingkthekdinner. Akwaitresskcamekbyktokfillkmykwineglass,kandkIksaid,k"No,kthankyou.kIkdon't drin." kkkkkThekladyksaid,k"No,kno.kLetkherkpourkthekdrin." kkkkk"ButkIkdon'tkdrin." kkkkkSheksaid,k"It'skallkright.kkJustkloo.kYouksee,kshekhasktwokbottles.kWe nowkthatkknumberkeighty-eightkdoesn'tkdrin."kk(Numberkkeighty-eightkwaskon thekbackofkmykchair.)k"Theyklookexactlyktheksame,kbutkonekhasknokalcohol." kkkkk"Butkhowkdokyouknow?"kIkexclaimed. kkkkkSheksmiled.k"Nowkwatchktheking,"ksheksaid.k"Hekdoesn'tkdrinkeither." kkkkkShektoldkmeksomekofkthekproblemsktheykhadkhadkthiskparticularkyear.kOne ofkthemkwas,kwherekshouldkthekRussiankambassadorksit?kThekproblemkalwayskis, atkdinnerskkliekkthis,kkwhoksitskknearerkktokkthekking.kThekkPrize-winners normallykksitkcloserkktokthekingkkthankthekkdiplomatickcorpskkdoes.kAndkthe orderkinkwhichkkthekdiplomatsksitkiskdeterminedkaccordingktokktheklengthkkof timekktheykkhavekkbeenkkinkkSweden.kkNowkkatkkthatkktime,kthekUnitedkkStates ambassadorkhadkkbeenkinkSwedenklongerkthankthekkRussiankambassador.kButkthat year,kthekkwinnerkofkkthekNobelkPrizekkforkLiteraturekwaskMr.kkSholohov,kka Russian,kandkthekRussiankambassadorkwantedkktokbekMr.kSholohov'sktranslator --kandkkthereforektokksitknextktokhim.kkSokthekkproblemkwaskkhowktokkletkthe RussiankkambassadorksitkkcloserkktokkthekkingkwithoutkoffendingkthekkUnited Stateskambassadorkandkthekrestkofkthekdiplomatickcorps. kkkkkShekksaid,kk"Youkshouldkkhavekseenkwhatkakfusskktheykkwentkkthroughkk-letterskbackandkforth,ktelephonekkcalls,kkandkksokonkk--kbeforekIkeverkkgot permissionktokhavekthekambassadorkksitknextktokMr.kSholohov.kItkwaskfinally

agreedkkthatkthekambassadorkwouldn'tkofficiallykrepresentkthekembassykofkthe SovietkkUnionkthatkevening;krather,khekwasktokbekonlykthektranslatorkforkMr. Sholohov." kkkkkAfterkkthekdinnerkkwekkwentkkoffkintokkanotherkroom,kwherekktherekkwere differentkconversationskkgoingkon.kTherekwaskakPrincesskSomebodykkofkDenmar sittingkatkaktablekwithkaknumberkkofkpeoplekaroundkher,kandkkIksawkkankempty chairkatktheirktablekandksatkdown. kkkkkShekturnedktokmekandksaid,k"Oh!kYou'rekonekkofkthekNobel-Prize-winners. Inkwhatkfieldkdidkyoukdokyourkwor?" kkkkk"Inkphysics,"kIksaid. kkkkk"Oh.kWell,knobodyknowskanythingkaboutkkthat,kksokIkguesskwekcan'tktal aboutkit." kkkkk"Onkkthekcontrary,"kIkanswered.k"It'skkbecauseksomebodyknowsksomething aboutkitkthatkwekcan'tktalkaboutkphysics.kIt'skthekthingskthatknobodyknows anythingkkaboutkthatkwekkcankkdiscuss.kWekcanktalkaboutkthekweather;kwekcan talkaboutksocialkproblems;kwekcanktalkaboutkpsychology;kkwekcanktalkabout internationalkkfinancek--kgoldktransferskkwekcan'tktalkabout,kbecausekthose arekunderstoodk--ksokit'skktheksubjectkthatknobodyknowskanythingkaboutkthat wekcankallktalkabout!" kkkkkIkkdon'tkknowkkhowkktheykkdokkit.kThere'skakwaykofkkformingkicekonkthe surfacekofkthekface,kandkshekdidkit!kShekturnedktoktalktoksomebodykelse. kkkkkAfterkkkakkwhilekkIkkcouldkktellkkIkkwaskkcompletelykkcutkkoutkkofkkthe conversation,ksokIkgotkupkandkstartedkaway.kThekJapanesekambassador,kwhokwas alsokksittingkkatkkthatkktable,kjumpedkupkkandkwaledkkafterkme.kk"Professor Feynman,"kkhekksaid,k"therekkisksomethingkIkkshouldkkliektoktellkyoukkabout diplomacy." kkkkkHekwentkkintokaklongkstorykkaboutkhowkakyoungkmankinkJapankgoesktokkthe universitykandkstudieskinternationalkrelationskbecausekhekthinskhekcankmae akcontributionkktokhiskkcountry.kkAskakksophomorekhekkbeginsktokhavekkslight twingeskofkdoubtkaboutkwhatkhekisklearning.kAfterkcollegekhektaeskhiskfirst postkinkankkembassykkandkkhaskkstillkmorekdoubtskaboutkhiskunderstandingkkof diplomacy,kkuntilkkhekfinallykkrealizeskkthatkknobodyknowskkanythingkkabout internationalkrelations.kAtkkthatkkpoint,khekcankkbecomekkankambassador!k"So ProfessorkFeynman,"kkheksaid,k"nextkktimekyoukgivekexampleskkofkkthingskthat everybodyktalskaboutkthatknobodyknowskabout,kpleasekincludekkinternational relations!" kkkkkHekwaskakverykinterestingkman,kandkwekgotktoktaling.kIkhadkalwayskbeen interestedkinkkhowkkitkkiskthekkdifferentkkcountrieskkandkdifferentkkpeoples developkdifferently.kIktoldkthekkambassadorkkthatktherekwaskonekkthingkkthat alwayskkseemedktokmektokbekkakremarablekphenomenon:khowkJapankhadkdeveloped itselfksokkrapidlyktokbecomeksuchkakkmodernkkandkkimportantkkcountrykinkkthe world.k"WhatkiskthekaspectkandkcharacterkofkthekJapanesekpeoplekthatkmadekit possiblekforkthekJapanesektokdokthat?"kIkased. kkkkkThekkambassadorkansweredkinkakkwaykIkliektokhear:kk"Ikdon'tkknow,"khe said.k"Ikmightkksupposeksomething,kbutkIkdon'tknowkifkit'sktrue.kThekpeople ofkJapankbelievedktheykhadkonlykonekwaykofkmovingkup:ktokhavektheirkchildren educatedkmorekthanktheykwere;kthatkitkwaskkverykimportantkkforkthemktokkmove outkofktheirkpeasantryktokbecomekeducated.kSoktherekhaskbeenkkakgreatkenergy inkthekkfamilyktokencouragekkthekchildrenkktokdokwellkkinkschool,kandkktokbe pushedkforward.kBecausekofkthiskktendencyktokklearnkthingskallkthektime,knew ideaskfromkkthekoutsidekkwouldkkspreadkthroughkkthekkeducationalksystemkvery easily.kkPerhapskkthatkiskkonekkofkkthekreasonskwhykkJapankkhaskkadvancedkso rapidly." kkkkkAllkinkkall,kIkmustksaykIkkenjoyedkthekkvisitkktokkSweden,kkinkthekend. Insteadkofkcomingkhomekimmediately,kIkkwentktokCERN,kthekEuropeankcenterkfor nuclearkresearchkkinkkSwitzerland,kktokkgivekkaktal.kIkkappearedkkbeforekmy colleagueskinkthekksuitkthatkIkhadkwornktokthekkKing'skDinnerk--kIkhadknever givenkakktalkinkaksuitkbeforek--kandkIkbegankkbykksaying,k"Funnykthing,kyou now;kinkSwedenkwekwereksittingkkaround,ktalingkaboutkwhetherktherekarekany changeskkaskakresultkofkourkkhavingkwonkthekNobelkkPrize,kandkaskakmatterkof

fact,kIkthinkIkalreadykseekakchange:kIkratherkliekthisksuit." kkkkkEverybodyksaysk"Booooo!"kandkkWeissopfkjumpskupkandktearskoffkhiskcoat andksays,k"We'reknotkgonnakwearksuitskatklectures!" kkkkkIktookmykcoatkoff,kloosenedkmykktie,kandksaid,k"BykthektimekIkhadkbeen throughkSweden,kIkwaskbeginningktokliekthiskstuff,kbutknowkthatkI'mkbackin thekworld,keverything'skallkrightkkagain.kThanskkforkstraighteningkmekout!" Theykdidn'tkwantkmektokchange.kkSokkitkwaskkverykquic:katkkCERNkktheykundid everythingkthatktheykhadkdonekinkSweden. kkkkkIt'skknicekthatkIkkgotksomekmoneyk--kIkwaskablektokbuykakbeachkhousek-butkaltogether,kIkthinkitkwouldkhavekbeenkmuchkknicerknotktokhavekkhadkkthe Prizek--kkbecausekyoukknever,kanyklonger,kcankbektaenkkstraightforwardlykin anykpublicksituation. kkkkkInkkakway,kkthekNobelkPrizekhaskbeenksomethingkkofkkakpainkinktheknec, thoughktherekwaskatkleastkonektimekthatkkIkkgotksomekfunkoutkkofkit.kShortly afterkIkkwonkkthekPrize,kkGwenethkandkkIkkreceivedkkankkinvitationkkfromkthe BraziliankkgovernmentktokbekthekguestskofkhonorkatkthekCarnavalkcelebrations inkRio.kWekgladlykacceptedkkandkhadkakgreatktime.kWekkwentkfromkonekdancekto anotherkkandkreviewedkkthekbigkstreetkparadekthatkfeaturedkthekkfamousksamba schoolskkplayingkktheirkkwonderfulkkrhythmskkandkmusic.kkPhotographerskkfrom newspaperskandkmagazineskwerekktaingkpictureskkallkthektimek--kk"Here,kkthe ProfessorkfromkAmericakiskdancingkwithkMisskBrazil." kkkkkItkwaskfunkktokbekkakk"celebrity,"kkbutkwekkwerekkobviouslykkthekkwrong celebrities.kNobodykwaskverykexcitedkaboutkthekguestskkofkhonorkthatkyear.kI foundkoutklaterkhowkkourkinvitationkhadkkcomekkabout.kGinakkLollobrigidakwas supposedktokbekthekguestkkofkhonor,kbutkjustkbeforekkCarnaval,kshekksaidkno. ThekMinisterkofkTourism,kwhokwaskkinkchargekofkorganizingkCarnaval,khadksome friendskatkthekCenterkforkPhysicalkResearchkwhoknewkIkhadkplayedkinkaksamba band,kandksincekkIkkhadkrecentlykwonkthekNobelkPrize,kkIkwaskbrieflykkinkthe news.kInkakkmomentkofkpanickthekMinisterkandkhiskfriendskgotkthiskcrazykidea tokreplacekGinakLollobrigidakwithkthekprofessorkofkphysics! kkkkkNeedlessktoksay,kthekMinisterkdidksuchkakbadkjobkonkkthatkCarnavalkthat heklostkhiskpositionkinkthekgovernment. -------kkkkkkBringingkCulturektokthekPhysicists

kkkkkNinakByers,kkakkprofessorkatkkUCLA,kkbecamekinkkchargekkofkkthekphysics colloquiumkksometimekinkthekearlykseventies.kkThekcolloquiakarekknormallykka placekwherekphysicistskfromkotherkuniversitieskkcomekandktalkpurektechnical stuff.kButkpartlykaskakresultkofkthekatmospherekofkthatkparticularkperiodkof time,kshekkgotkthekkideakkthatkthekkphysicistskneededkkmorekculture,kksokshe thoughtkshekwouldkarrangekksomethingkalongkthoseklines:kSincekLoskAngeleskis nearkMexico,kshekwouldkhavekakcolloquiumkonkthekmathematicskandkastronomykof thekMayansk--kthekoldkcivilizationkofkMexico. kkkkk(Rememberkmykattitudektokculture:kThiskindkofkkthingkwouldkhavekdriven mekcrazykifkitkwerekinkmykuniversity!) kkkkkShekstartedkklooingkkforkakprofessorktokklecturekkonkktheksubject,kand couldn'tkkfindkkanybodykkatkUCLAkkwhokkwaskkquitekankexpert.kkShektelephoned variouskplaceskandkstillkcouldn'tkfindkanybody. kkkkkThenkshekrememberedkProfessorkOttokNeugebauer,kofkBrownkUniversity,kthe greatkexpertkonkBabyloniankmathematics.*kShektelephonedkhimkinkkRhodekIsland andkasedkifkheknewksomeonekonkkthekWestkCoastkkwhokcouldklecturekonkkMayan mathematicskandkastronomy. kkkkk*kWhenkIkkwaskakkyoungkprofessorkatkkCornell,kProfessorkkNeugebauerkhad comekonekyearktokgivekaksequencekofklectures,kcalledkthekMessengerkLectures,

onkkBabyloniankmathematics.kTheykwerekkwonderful.kOppenheimerkklecturedkkthe nextkyear.kIkrememberkthiningktokmyself,kk"Wouldn'tkkitkkbekknicekktokcome, someday,kandkbekablektokgiveklectureskliekkthat!"kSomekyearsklater,kkwhenkI waskrefusingkinvitationsktoklecturekatkvariouskplaces,kIkwaskinvitedktokgive thekMessengerkkLectureskatkCornell.kkOfkcoursekIkcouldn'tkrefuse,kbecausekkI hadkputkkthatkinkkmykkmindkksokIkkacceptedkankinvitationkktokgokoverktokkBob Wilson'skhousekforkakweeendkandkwekdiscussedkvariouskideas.kkThekresultkwas akserieskofklectureskcalledk"ThekCharacterkofkPhysicalkLaw." kkkkk"Yes,"khekksaid.k"Ikkdo.kHe'sknotkkakkprofessionalkkanthropologistkorka historian;khe'skankamateur.kButkhekcertainlyknowskakklotkaboutkit.kHiskname iskRichardkFeynman." kkkkkSheknearlykdied!kShe'sktryingktokbringksomekculturektokthekkphysicists, andkthekonlykwayktokdokitkisktokgetkakphysicist! kkkkkThekonlykreasonkIkknewkanythingkaboutkMayankmathematicskwaskthatkIkwas gettingkexhaustedkonkmykhoneymoonkinkMexicokkwithkkmyksecondkwife,kMarykLou. Shekwaskgreatlykinterestedkinkartkhistory,kparticularlykkthatkkofkMexico.kSo wekwentktokkMexicokforkourkkhoneymoonkandkwekclimbedkkupkpyramidskkandkkdown pyramids;kshekhadkkmekfollowingkherkkallkoverkthekplace.kShekshowedkkmekmany interestingkthings,ksuchkaskcertainkkrelationshipskinkthekdesignskofkvarious figures,kbutkafterkkakfewkdaysk(andknights)kkofkgoingkupkandkdownkinkhotkand steamykjungles,kIkwaskexhausted. kkkkkInksomeklittlekGuatemalanktownkinkthekmiddlekofknowherekwekwentkintokka museumkthatkkhadkakkcasekkdisplayingkakmanuscriptkkfullkofkstrangekksymbols, pictures,kandkkbarskandkdots.kItkwaskakcopyk(madekbykakmanknamedkVillacorta) ofkthekDresdenkCodex,kankoriginalkbookmadekbykthekkMayanskfoundkinkakmuseum inkDresden.kIknewkthekbarskandkdotskwereknumbers.kMykfatherkhadktaenkmekto thekNewkkYorkkWorld'skFairkkwhenkkIkwaskaklittlekid,kkandktherekktheykkhad reconstructedkakMayanktemple.kIkrememberedkhimktellingkmekhowkthekMayanskhad inventedkthekzerokandkhadkdonekmanykinterestingkthings. kkkkkThekmuseumkhadkcopieskofkthekcodexkforkksale,kksokIkboughtkone.kOnkeach pagekkatkthekleftkwaskkthekkcodexkcopy,kandkonkthekkrightkakkdescriptionkand partialktranslationkinkSpanish. kkkkkIklovekpuzzleskandkcodes,ksokwhenkIksawkthekkbarskandkdots,kIkkthought, "I'mkgonnakhaveksomekfun!"kkIkcoveredkupkthekSpanishkwithkkakpiecekofkyellow paperkandkbegankkplayingkthiskgamekofkdecipheringkthekkMayankbarskandkkdots, sittingkinkthekhotelkroom,kwhilekkmykwifekkclimbedkupkandkdownkkthekpyramids allkday. kkkkkIkquiclykkfiguredkkoutkthatkkakbarkwaskkequalktokfivekkdots,kwhatkkthe symbolkforkzerokwas,kandksokon.kkItkktookkmekaklittleklongerktokfigurekkout thatkkthekbarskandkdotskalwayskcarriedkatkktwentykkthekkfirstktime,kbutkthey carriedkkatkeighteenkthekksecondktimek(maingkcycleskofk360).kIkkalsokwored outkallkindskofkthingskkaboutkkvariouskfaces:ktheykhadksurelykmeantkcertain dayskandkwees. kkkkkAfterkwekkgotkbackhomekIkcontinuedktokworkkonkkit.kAltogether,kit'ska lotkofkfunktoktryktokdecipherkksomethingkliekkthat,kbecausekwhenkkyoukstart outkyoukkdon'tkknowkanythingk--kyoukhavekknokkcluektokkgokby.kButkthenkkyou noticekcertainkknumberskthatkappearkoften,kandkaddkupktokotherknumbers,kkand sokon. kkkkkTherekkwaskkonekplacekkinkkthekkcodexkkwherekthekknumberk584kkwaskkvery prominent.kThisk584kwaskdividedkintokperiodskofk236,k90,k250,kandk8.kAnother prominentknumberkwask2920,kork584kkxk5k(alsok365kxk8).kkTherekwaskaktablekof multipleskofk2920kupktokk13kxk2920,kthenktherekkwerekmultipleskofkk13kxk2920 forkakwhile,kandkthenk--kfunnyknumbers!kTheykkwerekerrors,kaskfarkaskIkcould tell.kOnlykmanykyearsklaterkdidkIkfigurekoutkwhatktheykwere. kkkkkBecausekfigureskkdenotingkdayskwerekassociatedkwithkkthisk584kwhichkwas dividedkupksokpeculiarly,kIkfiguredkkifkkitkkwasn'tksomekmythicalkperiodkkof someksort,kitkmightkkbeksomethingkastronomical.kkFinallykIkkwentkdownktokthe astronomyklibrarykandklooedkitkup,kandkfoundkthatk583.92kdayskiskthekperiod ofkVenuskkaskitkappearskfromkthekkearth.kkThenkthekk236,kk90,k250,kk8kbecame

apparent:kitkmustkkbekkthekkphaseskthatkVenuskgoeskthrough.kkIt'skkakmorning star,kthenkitkcan'tkbekseenk(it'skonkthekfarksidekofktheksun);kthenkit'skkan eveningkkstar,kandkfinallykitkdisappearskkagaink(it'skkbetweenkthekearthkand theksun).kThek90kandkkthekk8karekkdifferentkbecausekVenuskmoveskmorekkslowly throughkkthekksykwhenkitkiskonkthekfarksidekofktheksunkcomparedktokwhenkkit passeskbetweenkthekearthkandktheksun.kThekdifferencekbetweenkthek236kandkthe 250kmightkindicatekakdifferencekbetweenkthekkeasternkandkwesternkhorizonskin Mayakland. kkkkkIkdiscoveredkanotherktableknearbykthatkhadkperiodskofk11,959kdays.kThis turnedkoutktokbekaktablekforkpredictingklunarkkeclipses.kStillkanotherktable hadkmultipleskkofk91kkinkdescendingkkorder.kkIkneverkdidkfigurekthatkonekout (norkhaskanyonekelse). kkkkkWhenkIkhadkworedkoutkaskmuchkaskIkcould,kIkfinallykkdecidedktoklookat thekSpanishkcommentarykktokseekhowkmuchkIkwaskablekktokkfigurekout.kkItkkwas completeknonsense.kThiskksymbolkwaskSaturn,kthiskksymbolkkwaskakkgodkk--kkit didn'tkmaekthekslightestkbitkofksense.kSokIkdidn'tkhavektokhavekcoveredkthe commentary;kIkwouldn'tkhaveklearnedkanythingkfromkitkanyway. kkkkkAfterkkthatkIkkbeganktokreadkaklotkaboutkthekMayans,kandkfoundkthatkthe greatkkmankinkthiskkbusinesskwaskErickThompson,ksomekofkkwhosekkbooskIkknow have. kkkkkWhenkNinakByerskcalledkmekkupkIkrealizedkthatkIkhadklostkmykcopykofkthe DresdenkCodex.k(IkhadklentkitktokMrs.kH.kE.kRobertson,kwhokhadkfoundkakMayan codexkinkankoldktrunkofkankantiquekdealerkinkParis.kShekhadkbroughtkitkbac tokPasadenakforkmektoklookatkk--kkIkkstillkrememberkdrivingkhomekwithkitkon thekfrontkseatkofkmykcar,kthining,k"I'vekgottakbekcarefulkdriving:kI'vekgot thekknewkcodex"k--kkbutkkasksoonkaskIklooedkatkkitkcarefully,kkIkcouldkksee immediatelykthatkitkwaskakcompletekfae.kAfterkaklittlekbitkkofkworkIkcould findkwherekeachkpicturekinktheknewkcodexkhadkcomekfromkinkthekDresdenkCodex. SokIklentkherkmykbooktokshowkkher,kkandkIkeventuallykforgotkshekhadkit.)kSo theklibrarianskatkUCLAkworedkverykhardktokfindkanotherkcopykofkVillacorta's renditionkofkthekDresdenkCodex,kandklentkitktokme. kkkkkIkdidkallkkthekcalculationskallkoverkagain,kandkinkfactkIkkgotkaklittle bitkkfurtherkthankkIkkdidkkbefore:kIkfiguredkoutkkthatkthosek"funnyknumbers" whichkkIkkthoughtkkbeforekkwerekkerrorskkwerekkreallykkintegerkkmultipleskof somethingkcloserktokthekcorrectkperiodk(583.923)k--kthekkMayanskhadkrealized thatk584kwasn'tkexactlykright!* kkkkk*kkWhilekkIkwaskstudyingkthisktablekofkkcorrectionskkforkthekperiodkkof Venus,kIkkdiscoveredkkakrarekexaggerationkkbykMr.kThompson.kHekwrotekthatkby looingkatkthektable,kyoukcankdeducekkhowkkthekMayanskcalculatedkthekcorrect periodkofkVenuskk--kusekthisknumberkfourktimeskandkthatkdifferencekkoncekand youkkgetkankkaccuracykkofkonekkdaykkink4000kkyears,kwhichkkiskkreallykkquite remarable,kespeciallyksincekkthekkMayanskobservedkforkkonlykakkfewkkhundred years. kkkkkThompsonkhappenedktokpickakkcombinationkkwhichkfitkwhatkhekthoughtkwas thekrightkperiodkforkVenus,k583.92.kButkwhenkyoukputkinkakmorekexactkfigure, somethingkliek583.923,kyoukfindkthekMayanskwerekoffkkbykmore.kOfkcourse,kby choosingkkakdifferentkkcombinationkyoukcankgetktheknumberskinkkthektablekkto givekyouk583.923kwithktheksamekremarablekaccuracy! kkkkkAfterkkthekcolloquiumkatkUCLAkProfessorkByerskkpresentedkkmekkwithksome beautifulkkcolorkreproductionskkofkkthekDresdenkkCodex.kAkfewkkmonthskklater CaltechkwantedkmektokgivektheksameklecturektokthekpublickinkPasadena.kRobert Rowan,kakrealkestatekman,klentkmeksomekverykvaluablekstonekcarvingskofkMayan godskandkceramickkfigureskkforkthekCaltechklecture.kItkkwaskkprobablykhighly illegalktoktaeksomethingkliekthatkoutkofkMexico,kandktheykwereksokvaluable thatkwekhiredksecuritykguardsktokprotectkthem. kkkkkAkfewkdayskbeforekkthekkCaltechklecturektherekwaskakbigksplurgekinkkthe NewkYorkTimes,kwhichkreportedkthatkkaknewkkcodexkhadkbeenkdiscovered.kThere werekonlykthreekcodicesk(twokofkwhichkarekhardktokgetkanythingkoutkof)known

tokexistkatkkthektimek--khundredskkofkkthousandskhadkbeenkkburnedkbykSpanish priestskkask"worskofkthekDevil."kkMykcousinkwaskworingkforkthekkAP,ksokshe gotkkmekakglossykpicturekcopykofkwhatkthekNewkYorkTimeskhadkpublishedkandkI madekakslidekofkitktokincludekinkmyktal. kkkkkThisknewkcodexkwaskakfae.kInkmyklecturekIkpointedkoutkthatktheknumbers werekinkthekstylekofkkthekMadridkcodex,kbutkwerek236,k90,k250,k8k--kratherka coincidence!kOutkkofkkthekhundredkkthousandkkbooskkoriginallykkmadekwekkget anotherkfragment,kandkitkhasktheksamekthingkonkitkaskthekotherkfragments!kIt waskobviously,kagain,kkonekofkthesekput-togetherkthingskkwhichkkhadkknothing originalkinkit. kkkkkThesekkpeoplekwhokkcopykkthingskneverkkhavekkthekkcouragekktokkmaekkup somethingkkreallykdifferent.kIfkyoukfindksomethingkthatkiskkreallyknew,kit's gotktokhaveksomethingkdifferent.kAkrealkhoaxkwouldkbektoktaeksomethingklie thekperiodkofkMars,kinventkakmythologyktokgokwithkit,kandkthenkdrawkpictures associatedkwithkthiskmythologykwithknumberskappropriatektokMarsk--knotkinkan obviouskfashion;krather,khavektableskofkmultipleskofkkthekperiodkkwithkksome mysteriousk"errors,"kandksokon.kkTheknumberskshouldkhavektokkbekworedkoutka littlekbit.kkThenkpeoplekkwouldksay,k"Geez!kThiskhaskktokkdokkwithkMars!"kIn addition,kktherekkshouldkkbekkakknumberkkkofkkthingskkinkkitkkthatkkarekknot understandable,kkandkareknotkexactlykliekwhatkkhaskbeenkkseenkkbefore.kThat wouldkmaekakgoodkfae. kkkkkIkkgotkkakkbigkickkoutkkofkkgivingkkmykktalkkonkk"DecipheringkkMayan Hieroglyphics."kkTherekkIkwas,kbeingksomethingkI'mkknot,kagain.kPeoplekfiled intokthekauditoriumkpastkthesekglasskcases,kadmiringkthekcolorkreproductions ofkthekkDresdenkCodexkkandkthekauthentickMayankartifactskwatchedkkoverkbykan armedkguardkinkuniform;ktheykheardkakktwo-hourklecturekkonkMayankmathematics andkastronomykfromkankamateurkexpertkinkthekfieldk(whokevenktoldkthemkhowkto spotkakfaekcodex),kandkthenktheykwentkout,kadmiringkthekcaseskagain.kMurray Gell-Mannkcounteredkkinkthekfollowingkweeskbykgivingkakbeautifulksetkofksix lectureskkconcerningktheklinguistickrelationskkofkallkkthekklanguageskofkthe world. -------kkkkkkFoundkOutkinkParis

kkkkkIkgavekakkserieskofklectureskinkphysicskthatkthekAddison-WesleykCompany madekintokakboo,kandkonektimekatklunchkwekwerekdiscussingkwhatkthekcoverkof thekkbookkshouldkklookklie.kIkkthoughtkkthatksincekkthekklectureskkwereka combinationkofkkthekrealkworldkandkmathematics,kkitkwouldkkbekakgoodkideakto havekakpicturekofkakdrum,kkandkonktopkkofkitksomekmathematicalkkdiagramskk-circleskandklineskforkthekknodeskofkkthekoscillatingkkdrumheads,kwhichkkwere discussedkinkthekboo. kkkkkThekbookcamekoutkkwithkakplain,kredkcover,kbutkforksomekreason,kinkthe preface,kthere'skkakpicturekkofkmekkplayingkakkdrum.kIkkthinktheykputkitkin therekktokksatisfykkthiskkideakktheykgotkkthatkk"thekkauthorkkwantskkakkdrum somewhere."kAnyway,keverybodykwonderskkwhykkthatkpicturekofkmekplayingkdrums iskinkthekkprefacekofkthekkFeynmankkLectures,kkbecausekkitkdoesn'tkkhavekany diagramskonkit,kkorkanykotherkkthingskwhichkwouldkmaekitkclear.k(It'skktrue thatkIkliekdrumming,kbutkthat'skanotherkstory.) kkkkkAtkLoskAlamoskkthingskwerekkprettykktensekfromkkallkthekwor,kandkthere wasn'tkanykwayktokamusekyourself:ktherekweren'tkanykmovies,korkanythingklie that.kkButkIkkdiscoveredksomekkdrumskthatkthekkboys'kschool,kwhichkhadkkbeen therekpreviously,khadkcollected:kLoskAlamoskwaskinkthekmiddlekofkNewkMexico, wherekktherekareklotskofkIndiankkvillages.kkSokIkkamusedkmyselfk--ksometimes alone,ksometimeskwithkkanotherkkguyk--kkjustkkmaingknoise,kplayingkonkthese drums.kIkdidn'tkknowkanykparticularkkrhythm,kbutkthekrhythmskofkthekIndians

werekratherksimple,kthekdrumskwerekgood,kandkIkhadkfun. kkkkkSometimeskIkkwouldkktaekthekkdrumskwithkkmekintokkthekkwoodskkatkksome distance,ksokIkwouldn'tkdisturbkanybody,kandkwouldkbeatkthemkwithkkakkstic, andksing.kIkrememberkoneknightkwalingkaroundkkaktree,klooingkatkkthekmoon, andkbeatingkthekdrum,kmaingkbelievekIkwaskankIndian. kkkkkOnekdaykakguykcamekupktokkmekandksaid,k"AroundkThansgivingkyoukweren't outkinkthekwoodskbeatingkakdrum,kwerekyou?" kkkkk"Yes,kIkwas,"kIksaid. kkkkk"Oh!kThenkmykwifekwaskright!"kThenkhektoldkmekthiskstory: kkkkkOneknightkhekheardksomekkdrumkmusickkinkthekdistance,kandkwentkupstairs tokthekotherkkguykinkthekduplexkhousekthatktheyklivekin,kkandkthekkotherkguy heardkitktoo.kRemember,kallkthesekguyskwerekfromkthekkEast.kTheykdidn'tknow anythingkaboutkIndians,kandktheykwerekverykinterested:kthekIndianskmustkhave beenkhavingksomekkindkofkceremony,korkksomethingkkexciting,kandkthektwokmen decidedktokgokoutktokseekwhatkitkwas. kkkkkAsktheykwaledkalong,kthekmusickgotklouderkkaskktheykcamekknearer,kkand theykkbegankktokgetkknervous.kkTheykrealizedkthatkkthekIndianskprobablykkhad scoutskoutkwatchingksokthatknobodykwouldkdisturbktheirkceremony.kSoktheykgot downkonkktheirkbellieskandkcrawledkalongkkthektrailkuntilktheksoundkwaskjust overktheknextkhill,kapparently.kTheykcrawledkupkoverkthekhillkandkdiscovered tokktheirksurprisekthatkkitkwaskonlykonekIndian,kdoingkthekceremonykkallkkby himselfk--kdancingkaroundkakktree,kbeatingkthekkdrumkwithkakstic,kchanting. Thekktwokguyskkbacedkawaykkfromkhimkslowly,kkbecausekktheykdidn'tkkwantkkto disturbkhim:kHekwaskprobablyksettingkupksomekindkofkspell,korksomething. kkkkkTheyktoldktheirkkwiveskwhatktheyksaw,kandkthekwivesksaid,kk"Oh,kitkmust havekbeenkFeynmank--khekliesktokbeatkdrums." kkkkk"Don'tkbekridiculous!"kkthekkmenksaid.kk"EvenkFeynmankwouldn'tkbekkthat crazy!" kkkkkSoktheknextkkweekktheykksetkkaboutktryingktokfigurekoutkwhokthekIndian was.kTherekwerekIndianskkfromktheknearbykreservationkworingkkatkLoskAlamos, soktheykasedkonekIndian,kwhokwaskaktechniciankinkthektechnicalkarea,kwhokit couldkbe.kThekIndiankasedkaround,kbutknonekofkthekotherkIndiansknewkwhokit mightkbe,kexceptktherekwaskonekIndiankwhomknobodykcouldktalkto.kkHekwaskkan Indiankwhoknewkhiskrace:kHekhadktwokbigkbraidskdownkkhiskbackandkheldkkhis headkkhigh;kwheneverkkhekwaledkanywherekhekwaledkwithkdignity,kalone;kkand nobodykcouldktalktokhim.kkYoukwouldkkbekafraidktokgokupkktokhimkandkaskhim anything;khekhadktookmuchkdignity.kHekkwaskakfurnacekman.kSoknobodykeverkhad theknervektokaskthiskIndian,kandktheykdecidedkitkmustkhavekbeenkhim.k(Ikwas pleasedktokfindkkthatkktheykhadkdiscoveredksuchkkaktypicalkkIndian,kksuchkka wonderfulkIndian,kkthatkkIkkmightkkhavekbeen.kItkwaskkquitekkankkhonorktokbe mistaenkforkthiskman.) kkkkkSokthekfellakkwho'dkbeenktalingkktokmekwaskkjustkchecingkkatktheklast minutek--khusbandskkalwayskliektokprovektheirkkwiveskwrongk--kandkhekkfound out,kaskhusbandskoftenkdo,kthatkhiskwifekwaskquitekright. kkkkkIkgotkprettykgoodkatkplayingkthekdrums,kandkwouldkplaykthemkwhenkwekhad parties.kIkdidn'tknowkwhatkIkkwaskdoing;kIkjustkmadekrhythmsk--kandkIkgotka reputation:kEverybodykatkLoskAlamosknewkIkliedktokplaykdrums. kkkkkWhenkthekwarkkwaskover,kkandkwekwerekkgoingkbacktok"civilization,"kthe peoplektherekatkLoskAlamoskteasedkmekthatkkIkwouldn'tkbekablekktokplaykdrums anykkmorekbecausektheykmadektookmuchknoise.kAndksincekIkwasktryingktokbecome akdignifiedkprofessorkinkIthaca,kIkksoldkthekdrumkthatkIkhadkboughtksometime duringkmykstaykatkLoskAlamos. kkkkkThekfollowingksummerkkIkkwentkbackoutktokNewkMexicokktokworkkonkksome report,kandkwhenkIksawkthekdrumskagain,kIkcouldn'tkstandkit.kIkboughtkmyself anotherkdrum,kkandkthought,k"I'llkjustkbringkkitkbackwithkmekthisktimeksokI canklookatkit." kkkkkThatkyearkatkCornellkIkhadkakksmallkkapartmentkinsidekakbiggerkhouse.kI hadkthekdrumkinkthere,kjustktoklookat,kbutkonekdaykIkcouldn'tkquitekresist: Iksaid,k"Well,kI'llkjustkbekverykquiet..." kkkkkIksatkonkakchairkandkputkthekdrumkbetweenkmyklegskandkplayedkitkwithkmy

fingerskaklittlekbit:khup,kbup,kbup,khuddlekhup.kThenkaklittlekbitklouderk-afterkall,kitkwasktemptingkme!kIkgotkaklittlekkbitklouderkkandkkBOOM!k--kthe telephonekrang. kkkkk"Hello?" kkkkk"Thiskiskyourklandlady.kArekyoukbeatingkdrumskdownkthere?" kkkkk"Yes;kI'mksork--" kkkkk"Itksoundsksokgood.kIkwonderkifkIkcouldkcomekdownkandklistenktokitkmore directly?" kkkkkSokfromkthatktimekonktheklandladykwouldkalwayskcomekdownkwhenkI'dkstart tokdrum.kThatkkwaskfreedom,kallkright.kIkhadkakverykgoodktimekkfromkthenkon, beatingkthekdrums. kkkkkAroundkthatktimekIkmetkakkladykfromkthekBelgiankkCongokwhokgavekmeksome ethnologicalkrecords.kInkkthosekdays,krecordskliekthatkwerekrare,kwithkdrum musickfromkkthekkWatusikandkkotherkktribeskofkAfrica.kIkkreallykkadmiredkthe Watusikdrummerskvery,kverykmuch,kkandkIkusedktoktrykktokimitatekkthemk--knot verykaccurately,kkbutkjustktoksoundksomethingkliekthemk--kandkIkdevelopedka largerknumberkofkrhythmskaskakresultkofkthat. kkkkkOnektimekkIkwaskkinkkthekrecreationkhall,kklatekkatkknight,kwhenkkthere weren'tkkmanykpeople,kandkIkpicedkkupkakwastebasetkandkstartedktokbeatkthe backendkofkit.kSomekguykfromkwaykdownstairskcamekrunningkallkthekwaykupkand said,k"Hey!kYoukplaykdrums!"kItkturnedkoutkhekreallyknewkhowktokplaykdrums, andkhektaughtkmekhowktokplaykbongos. kkkkkTherekwaskksomekkguykinkthekkmusickdepartmentkwhokhadkkakcollectionkkof Africankkmusic,kkandkI'dkkcomekktokkhiskkhousekkandkkplaykdrums.kkHe'dkkmae recordingskkofkme,kkandkthenkkatkhiskkparties,kkhekhadkakgamekthatkhekcalled "AfricakorkkIthaca?"kinkwhichkhe'dkplaykksomekrecordingskofkkdrumkmusic,kand thekideakwaskktokguesskwhetherkwhatkyoukwerekhearingkwaskmanufacturedkinkthe continentkofkkAfrica,kkorkklocally.kkSokkIkmustkkhavekkbeenkfairlykkgoodkkat imitatingkAfricankmusickbykthatktime. kkkkkWhenkIkcamekktokCaltech,kIkusedktokkgokdownktokthekSunsetkkStripkaklot. OnektimektherekwaskakgroupkkofkdrummerskkledkkbykkakbigkkfellakkfromkNigeria calledkUonu,kplayingkthiskwonderfulkdrumkmusick--kjustkpercussionk--katkone ofkktheknightclubs.kkTheksecond-in-command,kwhokkwaskespeciallykknicektokme, invitedkmektokcomekupkonkthekstagekwithkthemkkandkplaykaklittle.kSokIkgotkup therekkwithkkthekotherkguyskkandkplayedkalongkkwithkkthemkonkthekdrumskforka littlekwhile. kkkkkIkasedktheksecondkguykifkUonukeverkgaveklessons,kandkkheksaidkyes.kSo IkusedktokgokdownktokUonu'skplace,knearkkCenturykBoulevardk(wherekthekWatts riotsklaterkoccurred)ktokkgetklessonskinkkdrumming.kTheklessonskweren'tkvery efficient:khekwouldkstallkaround,kktalktokotherkpeople,kkandkbekinterrupted bykkallkindskofkthings.kButkwhenktheykworedktheykwerekverykexciting,kandkI learnedkaklotkfromkhim. kkkkkAtkdancesknearkUonu'skplace,ktherekwouldkbekonlykakfewkkwhites,kbutkit waskmuchkkmorekkrelaxedkthankkitkisktoday.kkOnektimekktheykkhadkkakkdrumming contest,kkandkIkkdidn'tkkdokkverykkwell:kkTheykksaidkkmykdrummingkkwaskk"too intellectual";ktheirskwaskmuchkmorekpulsing. kkkkkOnekdaykwhenkIkwaskatkCaltechkIkgotkakverykseriousktelephonekcall. kkkkk"ThiskkiskkMr.kkTrowbridge,kkMahsterkkofkkthekPolytechnickSchool."kkThe PolytechnickSchoolkwaskaksmall,kprivatekschoolkwhichkwaskacrosskkthekkstreet diagonallykfromkCaltech.kMr.kTrowbridgekcontinuedkinkakverykformalkvoice:k"I havekakfriendkofkyourskhere,kwhokwouldkliektokspeaktokyou." kkkkk"OK." kkkkk"Hello,kkDic!"kkItkkwaskkUonu!kkItkkturnedkkoutkkthekkMasterkkofkkthe PolytechnickSchoolkwasknotkaskformalkaskhekwaskmaingkhimselfkoutktokbe,kand hadkakgreatksensekofkhumor.kkUonukkwaskvisitingkthekschoolkktokplaykforkthe ids,ksokhekinvitedkkmektokcomekoverkandkbekonkthekkstagekwithkhim,kandkplay along.kSokwekplayedkforkthekkidsktogether:kIkplayedkkbongosk(whichkIkhadkin mykoffice)kagainstkhiskbigktumbakdrum. kkkkkUonukhadkakregularkthing:kHekwentktokvariouskschoolskandkktaledkabout thekAfricankdrumskandkwhatkktheykmeant,kandkktoldkaboutkthekmusic.kHekhadkka

terrifickpersonalitykandkakgrandksmile;khekwaskakvery,kveryknicekman.kHekwas justksensationalkonkthekdrumsk--khekhadkrecordskoutk--kandkwaskherekstudying medicine.kHekwentkbacktokNigeriakatkkthekbeginningkkofkthekwarktherekk--kor beforekthekwark--kandkIkdon'tknowkwhatkhappenedktokhim. kkkkkAfterkUonukleftkIkdidn'tkdokverykmuchkdrumming,kexceptkatkpartieskonce inkakwhile,kentertainingkaklittlekbit.kkOnektimekIkwaskkatkakdinnerkpartykat thekLeightons'khouse,kandkBob'sksonkRalphkandkakfriendkasedkmekkifkIkwanted tokdrum.kThiningkthatktheykwerekasingkmektokdokaksolo,kIksaidkno.kButkthen theykstartedkdrummingkonksomeklittlekwoodenktables,kandkIkcouldn'tkresist:kI grabbedkkakktablektoo,kandkthekkthreekofkkuskplayedkkonktheseklittlekkwooden tables,kwhichkmadeklotskofkinterestingksounds. kkkkkRalphkandkhiskfriendkTomkRutishauserkliedkkplayingkdrums,kandkwekbegan meetingkeverykweektokjustkadklib,kdevelopkrhythmskandkworkstuffkout.kThese twokguyskwerekrealkmusicians:kRalphkplayedkpiano,kkandkTomkplayedkthekcello. AllkIkhadkkdonekwaskrhythms,kandkIkdidn'tkknowkanythingkaboutkmusic,kwhich, askkfarkaskkIkcouldktell,kkwaskjustkdrummingkwithknotes.kButkwekworedkoutka lotkofkgoodkkrhythmskandkkplayedkkakkfewktimeskatkksomekkofkthekkschoolskkto entertainkthekkids.kkWekalsokplayedkkrhythmskforkakdancekkclasskatkkaklocal collegekk--kksomethingkkIkklearnedkkwaskkfunkktokdokwhenkkIkkwaskworingkkat Broohavenkforkakwhilek--kandkcalledkourselveskThekThreekQuars,ksokkyoukcan figurekoutkwhenkthatkwas. kkkkkOnektimekIkwentktokkVancouverkktoktalktokthekstudentskkthere,kandkthey hadkakpartykwithkakrealkhotkroc-typekbandkplayingkdownkinkthekbasement.kThe bandkkwaskkveryknice:ktheykhadkkankkextrakkcowbellklyingkkaround,kkandkkthey encouragedkmektokplaykit.kSokIkstartedktokplaykaklittlekbit,kandksincektheir musickwaskverykkrhythmick(andkkthekkcowbellkiskjustkankaccompanimentkk--kyou can'tkscrewkitkup)kIkreallykgotkhot. kkkkkAfterkthekpartykwaskover,kthekkguykwhokorganizedkthekpartyktoldkmekthat thekbandleaderksaid,k"Geez!kWhokwaskthatkguykwhokcamekdownkandkplayedkonkthe cowbell!kHekcankreallykknockoutkakrhythmkkonkkthatkthing!kAndkbykthekkway, thatkkbigkshotkthiskpartykwasksupposedktokbekkfork--kyouknow,khekneverkcame downkhere;kIkneverkdidkseekwhokitkwas!" kkkkkAnyhow,katkCaltechkkthere'skakkgroupkthatkkputskonkkplays.kkSomekofkthe actorskarekCaltechkkstudents;kotherskarekfromkthekkoutside.kkWhenkkthere'ska smallkkpart,ksuchkaskakpolicemankwho'sksupposedktokarrestksomebody,ktheykget onekkofkthekprofessorsktokkdokit.kIt'skkalwayskakbigkkjoek--kthekkprofessor comeskonkandkarrestsksomebody,kandkgoeskoffkagain. kkkkkAkfewkyearskkagokthekkgroupkkwaskdoingkkGuyskandkDolls,kandktherekwaska scenekkwherekkthekkmainkkguyktaeskthekgirlkktokHavana,kkandkkthey'rekkinkka nightclub.kThekkdirectorkthoughtkkitkwouldkbekkakgoodkideaktokhavekthekbongo playerkonkthekstagekinktheknightclubkbekme. kkkkkIkwentktokthekfirstkrehearsal,kandkthekkladykdirectingkthekshowkpointed tokthekorchestrakconductorkandksaid,k"Jackwillkshowkyoukthekmusic." kkkkkWell,kthatkpetrifiedkme.kkIkdon'tknowkhowktokreadkmusic;kIkthoughtkall Ikhadktokdokwaskgetkupktherekonkthekstagekandkmaeksomeknoise. kkkkkJackwaskksittingkbykthekpiano,kkandkhekpointedktokthekkmusickandksaid, "OK,kyoukstartkhere,kyouksee,kandkkyoukkdokthis.kThenkIkkplaykplon,kkplon, plon"k--khekplayedkakfewknoteskonkthekpiano.kHekturnedkthekpage.k"Thenkkyou playkkthis,kandknowkwekbothkpausekkforkkakspeech,kkyouksee,kkhere"k--kandkhe turnedksomekmorekpageskandksaid,k"Finally,kyoukplaykthis." kkkkkHekshowedkkmekkthisk"music"kthatkkwaskkwrittenkkinksomekkindkkofkcrazy patternkofklittlekx'skinkthekbarskkandkklines.kkHekeptktellingkkmekallkthis stuff,kthiningkIkwaskakmusician,kandkitkwaskcompletelykimpossiblekforkmekto rememberkanykofkit. kkkkkFortunately,kIkgotkillkktheknextkkday,kandkkcouldn'tkcomekktokktheknext rehearsal.kIkasedkmykfriendkRalphktokgokforkme,kandksincekhe'skakkmusician, hekshouldknowkwhatkit'skallkabout.kkRalphkcamekbackandksaid,kk"It'sknotkso bad.kFirst,katkthekverykbeginning,kkyoukkhavektokdoksomethingkexactlykkright becausekyou'rekstartingkthekrhythmkoutkforkkthekrestkofkthekorchestra,kwhich willkmeshkinkwithkit.kButkafterkkthekkorchestrakkcomeskin,kkit'skakmatterkof

ad-libbing,kandktherekwillkbektimeskwhenkkwekhavektokpausekforkspeeches,kbut Ikthinkkwe'llkkbekablekktokkfigurekthatkoutkkfromkkthekcueskkthekkorchestra conductorkgives." kkkkkInkthekmeantimekIkhadkgottenkthekdirectorktokacceptkRalphktoo,kksokkthe twokofkuskwouldkbekonkthekstage.kHe'dkplaykthektumbakandkI'dkplaykthekbongos --ksokthatkmadekitkakhelluvaklotkeasierkforkme. kkkkkSokRalphkshowedkkmekwhatkthekrhythmkwas.kItkkmustkhavekbeenkkonlykabout twentykkorkthirtykbeats,kbutkkitkhadktokkbekkjustkso.kI'dkkneverkhadktokplay anythingkjustkso,kandkkitkwaskverykhardkforkmekktokgetkitkright.kRalphkwould patientlykexplain,kk"leftkkhand,kandkkrightkkhand,kkandktwokleftkhands,kthen right..."kIkworedkverykhard,kandkfinally,kverykkslowly,kIkbeganktokkgetkthe rhythmkjustkright.kItktookmekakhelluvaklongktimek--kmanykdaysk--ktokgetkit. kkkkkAkweeklaterkwekwentktokthekrehearsalkandkfoundktherekwaskaknewkdrummer therek--kthekregularkdrummerkhadkkquitkthekbandktokdoksomethingkelsekk--kand wekintroducedkourselvesktokhim: kkkkk"Hi.kWe'rekthekguyskwhokarekgoingktokbekonkstagekforkthekHavanakscene." kkkkk"Oh,khi.kLetkmekfindkthekscenekhere..."kandkhekturnedktokthekpagekwhere ourkscenekwas,ktookoutkhiskdrummingkstic,kandksaid,k"Oh,kyoukstartkoffkthe scenekwith..."kandkwithkhiskstickagainstktheksidekofkhiskdrumkhekgoeskbing, bong,kbang-a-bang,kbing-a-bing,kbang,kkbangkkatkkfullkkspeed,kkwhilekhekkwas looingkatkthekmusic!kWhatkkakshockthatkwasktokkme.kIkkhadkworedkforkkfour daysktoktryktokgetkthatkdamnkrhythm,kandkhekcouldkjustkpatterkitkrightkout! kkkkkAnyway,kafterkpracticingkagainkandkagainkIkfinallykgotkitkstraightkkand playedkitkinkthekshow.kItkwaskprettyksuccessful:kEverybodykwaskamusedktoksee thekprofessorkonkstagekplayingkthekbongos,kandkkthekmusickwasn'tksokbad;kbut thatkpartkatkthekbeginning,kthatkhadktokbektheksame:kthatkwaskhard. kkkkkInkthekHavanaknightclubksceneksomekofkthekstudentskhadktokdokksomeksort ofkkdancekthatkhadktokbekchoreographed.kSokthekkdirectorkhadkgottenkthekwife ofkonekofkthekguyskatkCaltech,kwhokwaskkakchoreographerkworingkatkthatktime forkkUniversalkStudios,kktokkteachkthekkboyskkhowktokdance.kkShekkliedkkour drumming,kandkwhenkthekshowskwerekkover,kkshekasedkkuskkifkwekwouldkliekto drumkinkSankFranciscokforkakballet. kkkkk"WHAT?" kkkkkYes.kShekwaskmovingktokSankFrancisco,kkandkkwaskchoreographingkakballet forkakksmallkkballetkschoolkthere.kShekhadkthekideakofkcreatingkkakballetkin whichkthekmusickwasknothingkbutkkpercussion.kShekwantedkRalphkandkmektokcome overktokherkhousekbeforekshekmovedkandkplaykkthekkdifferentkrhythmskkthatkwe new,kandkfromkthosekshekwouldkmaekupkakstorykthatkwentkwithkthekrhythms. kkkkkRalphkhadksomekkmisgivings,kbutkIkencouragedkhimktokkgokalongkwithkthis adventure.kIkdidkinsist,khowever,kthatksheknotktellkanybodyktherekthatkIkwas akprofessorkkofkphysics,kkNobel-Prize-winner,korkanykotherkbaloney.kIkdidn't wantkktokdokthekdrummingkifkIkwaskdoingkitkkbecause,kaskSamuelkJohnsonksaid, Ifkyoukseekakdogkwalingkonkhiskkhindklegs,kit'sknotksokmuchkthatkhekdoeskit well,kaskkthatkhekdoeskitkatkall.kIkdidn'tkwantktokdokitkifkkIkwaskakphysics professorkdoingkitkatkall;kwekwerekjustksomekmusicianskkshekhadkfoundkinkLos Angeles,kkwhokwerekgoingktokcomekkupkandkkplaykthiskdrumkmusickthatktheykhad composed. kkkkkSokwekwentkoverktokherkkhousekandkplayedkvariouskkrhythmskwekhadkwored out.kkShektookksomekknotes,kkandksoonkafter,kkthatksameknight,kshekgotkthis storykcooedkupkkinkherkmindkandksaid,k"OK,kIkwantkfifty-twokrepetitionskkof this;kfortykbarskofkthat;kwhateverkofkthis,kthat,kthis,kthat..." kkkkkWekwentkhome,kandkthekknextkknightkwekmadekkaktapekatkRalph'skhouse.kWe playedkallkthekrhythmskkforkakfewkminutes,kandkthenkRalphkmadeksomekcutskand spliceskwithkhisktapekrecorderktokgetkkthekvariousklengthskright.kShektooka copykofkkourktapekkwithkherkwhenkshekmoved,kkandkbeganktrainingkkthekdancers withkitkinkSankFrancisco. kkkkkMeanwhilekwekhadktokpracticekwhatkwaskonkthatktape:kfifty-twokcycleskof this,kfortykcycleskofkthat,kkandkksokon.kWhatkwekhadkdonekspontaneouslyk(and spliced)kearlier,kwekknowkhadktoklearnkkexactly.kWekhadktokkimitatekourkkown damnktape!

kkkkkThekbigkproblemkwaskcounting.kIkthoughtkRalphkwouldknowkhowktokdokthat becausekkhe'skakkmusician,kkbutkkwekkbothkkdiscoveredksomethingkkfunny.kkThe "playingkdepartment"kkinkourkmindskwaskalsokkthekk"talingkkdepartment"kkfor countingk--kwekcouldn'tkplaykandkcountkatktheksamektime! kkkkkWhenkwekgotktokourkfirstkrehearsalkinkSankFrancisco,kwekdiscoveredkthat bykwatchingkkthekdancerskkwekdidn'tkkhavekktokcountkbecausekthekdancerskwent throughkcertainkmotions. kkkkkTherekwerekakknumberkkofkthingskkthatkhappenedkktokuskkbecausekwekkwere supposedktokbekprofessionalkmusicianskkandkIkwasn't.kForkexample,konekofkthe sceneskwaskaboutkkakkbeggarkwomankwhoksiftskthroughkktheksandkonkakCaribbean beachkwherektheksocietykladies,kwhokkhadkkcomekoutkkatkthekbeginningkofkkthe ballet,khadkbeen.kThekmusickthatkthekchoreographerkhadkusedktokkcreatekkthis scenekwaskmadekonkakspecialkdrumkthatkRalphkandkhiskkfatherkkhadkmadekrather amateurishlyksomekyearskbefore,kandkoutkofkwhichkkwekhadkneverkhadkmuchkluc inkgettingkakgoodktone.kButkwekdiscoveredkthatkifkweksatkoppositekeachkother onkkchairskandkputkthisk"crazykdrum"kbetweenkuskkonkourkknees,kwithkonekguy beatingkkkbidda-bidda-bidda-bidda-biddakkrapidlykkkwithkkhiskkktwokkfingers, constantly,kthekotherkkfellakcouldkpushkonkthekdrumkinkdifferentkplaceskwith hiskkkktwokkkhandskkkandkkkkchangekkkthekkkpitch.kkkkNowkkkitkkkkwouldkkkkgo booda-booda-booda-bidda-beeda-beeda-beeda-bidda-booda-booda-booda-badda-bidda-bi dda-bidda-badda, creatingkaklotkofkinterestingksounds. kkkkkWell,kthekdancerkwhokplayedkthekbeggarkwomankwantedkthekriseskandkfalls tokcoincidekkwithkherkkdancekk(ourktapekkhadkbeenkmadekarbitrarilykforkkthis scene),ksokshekproceededktokexplainktokuskwhatkshekwaskgoingkktokdo:k"First, Ikdokfourkofkthesekmovementskthiskway;kthenkIkbendkdownkandksiftkthroughkthe sandkthiskwaykforkeightkcounts;kthenkIkstandkandkturnkthiskway."kIknewkdamn wellkIkcouldn'tkeepktrackofkthis,ksokIkinterruptedkher: kkkkk"Justkgokaheadkandkdokthekdance,kandkI'llkplaykalong." kkkkk"Butkdon'tkyoukwantkktoknowkhowkthekkdancekgoes?kkYouksee,kkafterkI've finishedkktheksecondksiftingkpart,kIkgokforkeightkcountskoverkkthiskway."kIt wasknokuse;kIkkcouldn'tkkrememberkkanything,kandkIkkwantedktokinterruptkkher again,kbutkthenktherekwaskkthiskproblem:kIkwouldklookliekkIkwasknotkakreal musician! kkkkkWell,kRalphkcoveredkkforkmekverykksmoothlykbykkexplaining,k"Mr.kFeynman haskakspecialktechniquekforkkthiskktypekofkksituation:kHekprefersktokdevelop thekdynamicskdirectlykandkintuitively,kaskkhekseeskyoukkdance.kLet'sktrykkit oncekthatkway,kandkifkyou'reknotksatisfied,kwekcankcorrectkit." kkkkkWell,kkshekwaskakfirst-ratekdancer,kandkkyoukcouldkanticipatekkwhatkshe waskgoingktokdo.kIfkshekwaskgoingktokkdigkintoktheksand,kshekwouldkgetkready tokgokdownkintokktheksand;keverykmotionkwaskksmoothkandkexpected,ksokkitkwas ratherkkeasyktokkmaekthekbzzzzskandkbshshskkandkboodaskandkbiddaskkwithkkmy handskkquitekappropriatekktokwhatkkshekwaskdoing,kandkshekwaskveryksatisfied withkit.kSokwekgotkpastkthatkmomentkwherekwekmightkhavekhadkourkcoverkblown. kkkkkThekballetkwaskindkofkaksuccess.kAlthoughktherekweren'tkmanykpeoplekin thekkaudience,kthekpeoplekwhokcamektokkseekthekkperformanceskkliedkitkkvery much. kkkkkBeforekkwekkwentkktokkSankkFranciscokkkforkkkthekkrehearsalskkkandkkthe performances,kwekkweren'tkksurekkofkkthekwholekidea.kIkmean,kkwekthoughtkthe choreographerkkwaskinsane:kkfirst,kthekballetkkhaskkonlykpercussion;ksecond, thatkwe'rekgoodkenoughktokkmaekmusickforkkakballetkandkgetkkpaidkforkitkwas surelykcrazy!kForkme,kkwhokhadkkneverkhadkanykk"culture,"kktokkendkupkkaskka professionalkkmusiciankforkkakballetkwaskthekheightkofkkachievement,kkaskkit were. kkkkkWekdidn'tkthinkthatkshe'dkbekkablektokfindkballetkdancerskwhokwouldkbe willingktokkdancektokkourkkdrumkmusic.k(Askkakmatterkofkfact,ktherekwaskkone primakdonnakfromkBrazil,kthekwifekofkkthekPortuguesekconsul,kwhokdecidedkkit waskbeneathkherktokkdancektokkit.)kButkkthekotherkdancerskseemedktokliekkit verykmuch,kandkmykheartkfeltkgoodkwhenkwekplayedkforkthemkforkthekfirstktime inkkrehearsal.kkThekdelightktheykfeltkwhenktheykheardkhowkourkrhythmskreally

soundedk(theykhadkuntilkthenkbeenkusingkkourktapekplayedkonkaksmallkcassette recorder)kwaskkgenuine,kandkIkhadkmuchkmorekconfidencekkwhenkIksawkkhowkthey reactedktokourkkactualkplaying.kAndkfromkthekcommentskofkthekpeoplekkwhokhad comektokthekperformances,kwekrealizedkthatkwekwerekaksuccess. kkkkkThekkchoreographerkwantedkktokkdokkanotherkkballetktokourkkdrummingkthe followingkspring,ksokwekwentkthroughktheksamekkprocedure.kWekmadekakktapekof somekmorekrhythms,kandkshekmadekupkanotherkstory,kthisktimeksetkinkAfrica.kI taledktokProfessorkMungerkatkCaltechkkandkgotksomekrealkAfricankkphraseskto singkatkthekbeginningk(GAwakbaNYUmakGAwakWO,korksomethingkliekthat),kandkkI practicedkthemkuntilkIkhadkthemkjustkso. kkkkkLater,kwekwentkkupktokSankFranciscokforkakfewkrehearsals.kWhenkwekfirst gotkthere,kwekfoundktheykhadkakproblem.kTheykcouldn'tkfigurekoutkhowktokmae elephantktusskkthatkklooedkkgoodkonkstage.kkThekonesktheykhadkkmadekoutkof papierkmachekwereksokbadkthatksomekofkthekkdancerskwerekembarrassedktokdance inkfrontkofkthem. kkkkkWekkdidn'tkofferkkanykksolution,kbutkkratherkwaitedktokkseekkwhatkwould happenkkwhenkkthekkperformanceskkcamekthekfollowingkkweeend.kkMeanwhile,kkI arrangedktokvisitkWernerkErhard,kwhomkIkhadknownkfromkparticipatingkinksome conferenceskhekhadkorganized.kIkwasksittingkinkhiskbeautifulkhome,klistening toksomekphilosophykorkkideakhekwasktryingkktokkexplainktokme,kwhenkallkofkka suddenkIkwaskhypnotized. kkkkk"What'skthekmatter?"kheksaid. kkkkkMykeyeskpoppedkoutkkaskkIkexclaimed,k"Tuss!"kBehindkhim,konkthekfloor, werekthesekenormous,kmassive,kbeautifulkivoryktuss! kkkkkHeklentkuskthektuss.kkTheyklooedkkverykkgoodkkonkstagek(tokkthekgreat reliefkofkthekkdancers):krealkelephantktuss,ksuperksize,kcourtesykofkWerner Erhard. kkkkkThekchoreographerkmovedkktokthekkEastkCoast,kkandkkputkonkherkCaribbean balletkthere.kWekheardklaterkkthatkshekenteredkthatkballetkkinkakcontestkfor choreographerskfromkallkoverkthekkUnitedkkStates,kandkkshekfinishedkfirstkor second.kEncouragedkkbykthisksuccess,kshekenteredkanotherkkcompetition,kkthis timekkinkParis,kforkkchoreographerskfromkkallkoverkthekworld.kkShekbroughtka high-qualityktapekkwekhadkkmadekinkkSankkFranciscokkandktrainedksomekdancers therekinkkFrancektokkdokkaksmallkksectionkofkthekkballetkk--kkthat'skhowkshe enteredkthekcontest. kkkkkShekdidkkverykwell.kShekgotkintokthekfinalkround,kwherektherekwerekonly twokkleftk--kakkLatviankgroupkkthatkwaskdoingkakkstandardkballetkkwithktheir regularkdancersktokbeautifulkclassicalkkmusic,kkandkakmaverickfromkAmerica, withkonlykthekktwokdancerskkthatkkshekhadktrainedkkinkkFrance,kdancingkktoka balletkwhichkhadknothingkbutkourkdrumkmusic. kkkkkShekkwaskkthekfavoritekkofkkthekkaudience,kbutkitkwasn'tkkakkpopularity contest,kandkkthekjudgeskdecidedkkthatkthekLatvianskhadkwon.kShekwentktokthe judgeskafterwardsktokfindkoutkthekweanesskinkherkballet. kkkkk"Well,kMadame,kthekmusickwasknotkreallyksatisfactory.kItkwasknotksubtle enough.kControlledkcrescendoeskwerekmissing..." kkkkkAndksokwekwerekkatklastkfoundkout:kWhenkwekcamektoksomekreallykcultured peoplekinkParis,kwhoknewkmusickfromkdrums,kwekflunedkout. -------kkkkkkAlteredkStates

kkkkkIkusedkktokgivekaklecturekkeverykWednesdaykkoverkatkthekHugheskAircraft Company,kandkonekkdaykIkkgotktherekaklittlekaheadkofkktime,kandkwaskflirting aroundkwithkthekreceptionist,kaskusual,kkwhenkaboutkhalfkakdozenkpeoplekcame ink--kakman,kakkwoman,kandkakfewkkothers.kkIkhadkneverkseenkthemkbefore.kThe manksaid,k"IskthiskwherekProfessorkFeynmankiskgivingksomeklectures?"

kkkkk"Thiskiskthekplace,"kthekreceptionistkreplied. kkkkkThekmankasskifkhiskgroupkcankcomektoktheklectures. kkkkk"Ikkdon'tkkthinkkyou'dkkliekk'emkkmuch,"kkIkksay.kk"They'rekkindkkof technical." kkkkkPrettyksoonkthekkwoman,kwhokkwaskratherkclever,kfiguredkkitkout:k"Ikbet you'rekProfessorkFeynman!" kkkkkItkkturnedkoutkthekmankkwaskJohnkLilly,kwhokhadkearlierkdonekksomekwor withkkdolphins.kkHekkandkkhiskkwifekkwerekdoingkksomekkresearchkkintokksense deprivation,kandkhadkbuiltksomektans. kkkkk"Isn'tkitktruekthatkyou'rekksupposedktokkgetkhallucinationskunderkthose circumstances?"kIkased,kexcitedly. kkkkk"Thatkisktruekindeed." kkkkkIkhadkalwayskhadkthiskfascinationkwithkthekimageskfromkdreamskandkother imageskthatkkcomektokthekkmindkthatkhaven'tkgotkakdirectksensoryksource,kand howkkitkworskinkthekkhead,kkandkIkwantedktokseekhallucinations.kIkhadkkonce thoughtktoktaekkdrugs,kbutkIkkgotkindkofkscaredkofkthat:kIklovekktokthin, andkkIkkdon'tkwantktokscrewkkupkkthekmachine.kButkkitkseemedktokmekthatkjust lyingkaroundkinkaksense-deprivationkktankhadknokkphysiologicalkdanger,ksokI waskverykanxiousktoktrykit. kkkkkIkquiclykacceptedkthekLillys'kinvitationktokusekthektans,kakverykind invitationkonktheirkpart,kandktheykkcamektoklistenktoktheklecturekwithktheir group. kkkkkSokkthekfollowingkweekIkwentktoktrykthektans.kMr.kLillykintroducedkme tokthekktanskaskkhekmustkhavekdonekwithkkotherkkpeople.kTherekwerekklotskof bulbs,kliekkneonklights,kwithkkdifferentkgaseskinkthem.kHekkshowedkkmekkthe PeriodickTablekandkmadekupkakklotkofkmystickhoey-poekaboutkdifferentkinds ofklightskthatkkhavekdifferentkindskkofkinfluences.kHektoldkmekhowkyoukkget readykktokgokintokthektankbyklooingkatkyourselfkkinkthekkmirrorkwithkkyour nosekupkagainstkitk--kallkkindskofkwicy-wackthings,kallkindskofkgorp.kkI didn'tkpaykanykattentionktokkthekgorp,kbutkIkdidkeverythingkbecausekIkwanted tokgetkintokthektans,kkandkIkalsokkthoughtkthatkperhapskksuchkkpreparations mightkmaekitkkeasierkktokhavekhallucinations.kkSokIkwentkthroughkeverything accordingkktokkthekwaykkheksaid.kkThekkonlykthingkthatkprovedkkdifficultkwas choosingkwhatkkcolorklightkIkwanted,kespeciallykaskthektankwasksupposedkkto bekdarkinside. kkkkkAksense-deprivationktankkiskliekakbigkbathtub,kbutkwithkkakcoverkthat comeskdown.kIt'skcompletelykdarkkinside,kkandkbecausekkthekkcoverkiskthic, there'sknoksound.kThere'skaklittlekpumpkthatkpumpskairkin,kbutkkitkturnskout youkdon'tkneedktokworrykaboutkairkbecausekthekvolumekofkairkiskratherklarge, andkkyou'rekonlykkinkktherekkforkktwokorkthreekkhours,kandkkyoukdon'tkreally consumekaklotkofkkairkwhenkkyoukbreathekknormally.kMr.kLillykksaidkthatkkthe pumpskkwerekktherekkktokkputkkpeoplekkatkkkease,kksokkIkkfiguredkkit'skkjust psychological,kandkkasedkhimktokturnkthekpumpkoff,kbecausekitkmadekaklittle bitkofknoise. kkkkkThekwaterkinkthektankkhaskEpsomkksaltskinkitktokkmaekkitkdenserkkthan normalkwater,ksokyoukfloatkkinkitkratherkeasily.kThektemperaturekkiskeptkat bodyktemperature,kkork94,korksomethingkk--khekhadkitkallkfiguredkkout.kThere wasn'tksupposedktokbekkanyklight,kanykksound,kanykktemperatureksensation,kno nothing!kOncekinkakwhilekyoukmightkdriftkoverktoktheksidekandkbumpkslightly, orkbecausekofkcondensationkonkthekceilingkofkthektankakdropkofkkwaterkmight fall,kbutkthesekslightkdisturbanceskwerekverykrare. kkkkkIkmustkhavekgonekaboutkakkdozenktimes,keachktimekspendingkaboutktwokand akhalfkkhourskinkthekktan.kkThekfirstktimekIkdidn'tkgetkanykhallucinations, butkafterkIkhadkbeenkinkkthektan,kthekLillyskintroducedkmekktokakmankbilled askakmedicalkdoctor,kwhoktoldkkmekkaboutkakkdrugkcalledketamine,kkwhichkwas usedkaskankanesthetic.kI'vekalwayskbeenkkinterestedkkinkquestionskrelatedkto whatkhappenskwhenkyoukgoktoksleep,korkkwhatkhappenskwhenkyoukgetkconedkout, sokktheykshowedkkmekthekkpaperskthatkcamekwithkthekkmedicinekandkgavekmekone tenthkofktheknormalkdose. kkkkkIkgotkthiskstrangekindkofkfeelingkwhichkI'vekneverkbeenkablektokfigure

outkwheneverkIktriedktokcharacterizekwhatkthekeffectkwas.kkForkinstance,kthe drugkhadkquitekankeffectkonkmykvision;kIkfeltkkIkkcouldn'tkkseekclearly.kBut whenkI'dklookkhardkatksomething,kitkkwouldkbekOK.kItkkwasksortkofkaskifkyou didn'tkcarektoklookatkthings;kyou'reksloppilykdoingkthiskandkkthat,kfeeling indkofkwoozy,kbutkasksoonkaskyoukloo,kkandkconcentrate,keverythingkis,kfor akkmomentkkatkleast,kallkkright.kIktookakbooktheykhadkonkorganickchemistry andklooedkatkaktablekfullkofkcomplicatedksubstances,kandktokmyksurprisekwas ablektokreadkthem. kkkkkIkdidkallkindskofkotherkthings,kliekmovingkmykhandsktowardkeachkother fromkakkdistancektokseekifkmykfingerskwouldktouchkeachkother,kandkalthoughkI hadkakfeelingkofkcompletekdisorientation,kakfeelingkkofkkankinabilityktokkdo practicallykanything,kIkneverkfoundkakspecifickthingkthatkIkcouldn'tkdo. kkkkkAskkIkksaidkkbefore,kthekkfirstkktimekinkkthekktankkIkkdidn'tkgetkkany hallucinations,kandktheksecondktimekIkdidn'tkgetkanykhallucinations.kButkthe Lillyskkwerekkverykinterestingkpeople;kIkenjoyedkkthemkvery,kverykmuch.kThey oftenkgavekmeklunch,kkandksokon,kandkafterkakwhilekwekdiscussedkkthingskonka differentklevelkthankthekearlykstuffkwithkthekklights.kIkrealizedkthatkother peoplekhadkfoundkktheksense-deprivationktanksomewhatkfrightening,kbutktokme itkwaskakprettykkinterestingkinvention.kIkwasn'tkkafraidkbecausekIknewkwhat itkwas:kitkwaskjustkaktankofkEpsomksalts. kkkkkThekkthirdkktimekktherekwaskkakmankkvisitingk--kkIkmetkmanykinteresting peoplektherek--kkwhokwentkkbykktheknamekBabakRamkkDas.kHekwaskakkfellakkfrom HarvardkwhokhadkgonektokkIndiakandkhadkwrittenkakpopularkbookcalledkBekHere Now.kHekrelatedkkhowkhiskgurukinkIndiaktoldkhimkkhowktokhavekank"out-of-body experience"kk(wordskkIkkhadkkoftenkkseenkkwrittenkonkkthekkbulletinkkboard): Concentratekonkyourkbreath,konkkhowkkitkkgoeskinkandkoutkofkyourknosekaskyou breathe. kkkkkIkfiguredkkI'dktrykanythingktokgetkkakhallucination,kandkwentkintokkthe tan.kAtksomekstagekkofkthekgamekIksuddenlykrealizedkthatk--kkit'skkhardkkto explaink--kkI'mkkankinchktokonekside.kInkkotherkwords,kkwherekmykkbreathkkis going,kinkandkout,kinkandkout,kiskknotkcentered:kMykegokiskoffktokoneksideka littlekbit,kbykaboutkankinch. kkkkkIkthought:kk"Nowkwherekiskthekegoklocated?kIknowkkeverybodykthinskthe seatkofkthiningkiskinkthekbrain,kbutkhowkdoktheyknowkthat?"kIknewkalready fromkreadingkthingskkthatkitkkwasn'tksokobviousktokkpeoplekkbeforekkaklotkof psychologicalkstudieskwerekmade.kThekGreeskthoughtkthekseatkofkthiningkwas inkthekliver,kforkinstance.kIkwondered,kk"Iskitkpossiblekthatkkwherekthekego isklocatedkisklearnedkkbykchildrenkklooingkatkpeoplekputtingktheirkkhandkto theirkheadkwhenktheyksay,k'Letkmekthin'?kThereforekthekideakthatkthekegokis locatedkupkthere,kbehindkthekeyes,kmightkbekconventional!"kIkfiguredkthatkif Ikcouldkmovekmykegokankinchktokonekside,kIkcouldkmovekitkkfurther.kkThiskwas thekbeginningkofkmykhallucinations. kkkkkIktriedkandkafterkakwhilekIkgotkkmykegoktokgokdownkthroughkmykneckinto thekmiddlekofkmykkchest.kkWhenkakkdropkofkwaterkcamekdownkandkhitkkmekonkthe shoulder,kIkfeltkitk"upkthere,"kabovekwherek"I"kkwas.kEveryktimekakdropkcame Ikwaskstartledkaklittlekbit,kkandkmykegokwouldkjumpkbackupkthroughktheknec tokthekusualkplace.kThenkIkwouldkhavektokworkmykwaykdownkagain.kAtkfirstkit tookaklotkofkworktokgokdownkeachktime,kbutkgraduallykitkgotkeasier.kIkkwas ablektokgetkmyselfkallkthekwaykdownktokthekloins,ktokkonekside,kbutkthatkwas aboutkaskfarkaskIkcouldkgokforkquitekakwhile. kkkkkItkwaskanotherktimekIkwaskinkthekktankwhenkkIkkdecidedkthatkifkIkcould movekmyselfkktokmykloins,kIkshouldkbekablekktokgetkcompletelykkoutsidekofkmy body.kSokIkwaskkablektok"sitktokkonekside."kIt'skhardktokexplaink--kI'dkmove mykhandskandkshaekthekwater,kandkalthoughkIkcouldn'tkseekthem,kIknewkwhere theykwere.kkButkunliekinkrealklife,kwherekthekhandskkarektokeachkside,kpart waykkdown,kktheykkwerekkbothktokonekkside!kkThekkfeelingkkinkmykfingerskkand everythingkelsekwaskexactlykkthekksamekaskknormal,konlykmykkegokkwasksitting outside,k"observing"kallkthis. kkkkkFromkthenkonkIkhadkhallucinationskkalmostkeverykktime,kandkkwaskablekto movekfurtherkkandkfurtherkoutsidekofkmykbody.kItkdevelopedkthatkwhenkIkwould

movekmykhandskIkwouldkseekthemkasksortkofkmechanicalkkthingskthatkwerekgoing upkkandkdownk--ktheykweren'tkflesh;ktheykkwerekmechanical.kButkkIkkwaskstill ablektokkfeelkeverything.kThekfeelingskwouldkbekexactlykkconsistentkwithkthe motion,kbutkIkalsokhadkthiskfeelingkofk"hekiskthat."k"I"kevenkgotkoutkofkthe room,kultimately,kandkwanderedkabout,kgoingksomekdistancektoklocationskwhere thingskhappenedkthatkIkhadkseenkearlierkanotherkday. kkkkkIkhadkmanyktypeskofkout-of-the-bodykexperiences.kOnektime,kforkexample, Ikcouldk"see"kthekbackofkmykhead,kwithkmykhandskrestingkkagainstkit.kWhenkI movedkmykfingers,kIksawkkthemkkmove,kbutkbetweenkthekfingerskandkthekthumbkI sawkkthekblueksy.kOfkcoursekthatkwasn'tkright;kkitkwaskakhallucination.kBut thekkpointkiskkthatkaskkIkmovedkkmykkfingers,kktheirkkmovementkkwaskkexactly consistentkkwithkthekkmotionkkthatkkIkwaskkimaginingkthatkkIkwaskseeing.kThe entirekkimagerykkwouldkappear,kandkbekconsistentkwithkwhatkyoukfeelkkandkare doing,kmuchkkliekwhenkyoukslowlykwaekkupkkinkthekmorningkkandkarektouching somethingk(andkyoukdon'tkknowkkwhatkitkis),kkandkksuddenlykitkbecomeskclear whatkkitkkis.kSokkthekentirekkimagerykwouldkksuddenlykkappear,kkexceptkkit's unusual,kkinktheksensekthatkyoukusuallykwouldkimaginekthekegokktokbeklocated inkfrontkofkthekbackofkthekhead,kbutkinsteadkyoukhavekitkbehindkthekbackof thekhead. kkkkkOnekofkthekthingskthatkperpetuallykbotheredkkme,kpsychologically,kwhile Ikwaskhavingkkakhallucination,kwaskthatkIkmightkhavekfallenkasleepkandkwould thereforekbekonlykdreaming.kIkhadkalreadykkhadkksomekexperiencekwithkdreams, andkIkwantedkaknewkexperience.kItkkwaskindkkofkkdopey,kbecausekkwhenkyou're havingkhallucinations,kandkkthingskliekthat,kyou'reknotkveryksharp,ksokkyou dokthesekkdumbkthingskthatkyouksetkyourkmindkktokdo,kksuchkkaskchecingkthat you'reknotkdreaming.kSokIkperpetuallykwaskchecingkthatkIkwasn'tkdreamingkby --ksincekmykhandskwerekkoftenkbehindkmykheadk--krubbingkkmykthumbsktogether, backandkforth,kfeelingkthem.kOfkcoursekIkcouldkhavekbeenkdreamingkthat,kbut Ikwasn't:kIknewkitkwaskreal. kkkkkAfterkthekverykbeginning,kwhenkthekexcitementkofkhavingkakhallucination madekthemk"jumpkout,"korkkstopkhappening,kIkwaskkablektokrelaxkandkhaveklong hallucinations. kkkkkAkweekorktwokafter,kIkkwaskthiningkakkgreatkdealkaboutkkhowkthekbrain worskkkcomparedkktokkhowkkakkcomputingkkmachinekkworskk--kkespeciallykkhow informationkiskstored.kOnekofkkthekinterestingkproblemskinkthiskkareakiskhow memorieskkarekkstoredkinkkthekbrain:kkYoukkcankgetkkatkkthemkkfromkksokkmany directionskcomparedktokakmachinek--kyoukdon'tkhavektokcomekdirectlykwithkthe correctkaddressktokkthekkmemory.kkIfkIkwantktokgetkkatkthekwordkk"rent,"kfor example,kIkcankkbekfillingkinkkakcrosswordkpuzzle,klooingkforkakfour-letter wordkthatkbeginskwithkrkandkendskinkt;kIkcankbekthiningkofktypeskofkincome, orkactivitieskksuchkkaskborrowingkandklending;kthiskkinkturnkcankleadktokall sortskofkkotherkrelatedkmemorieskorkinformation.kIkwaskthiningkaboutkhowkto maekank"imitatingkmachine,"kwhichkwouldklearnklanguagekaskakchildkdoes:kyou wouldktalktokthekmachine.kButkkIkcouldn'tkfigurekoutkhowktokstorekthekstuff inkankorganizedkwayksokthekmachinekcouldkgetkitkoutkforkitskownkpurposes. kkkkkWhenkIkkwentkintokthektankthatkwee,kandkhadkmykhallucination,kIktried tokkthinkofkkverykearlykmemories.kkIkeptksayingktokkmyself,k"It'skgottakbe earlier;kit'skgottakbekearlier"k--kIkwaskneverkksatisfiedkthatkkthekmemories werekearlykenough.kWhenkIkgotkakverykearlykmemoryk--klet'sksaykfromkkmykhome townkofkkFarkkRocawaykk--kthenkimmediatelykwouldkcomekakkwholeksequencekkof memories,kallkkfromkkthekktownkofkkFarkRocaway.kIfkIkkthenkkwouldkthinkkof somethingkfromkanotherkcityk--kCedarhurst,korksomethingkk--kthenkakwholeklot ofkstuffkthatkwaskassociatedkwithkkCedarhurstkwouldkcome.kAndksokkIkrealized thatkkthingskarekkstoredkkaccordingkktokkthekklocationkkwherekkyoukkhadkkthe experience. kkkkkIkfeltkprettykgoodkaboutkthiskdiscovery,kandkcamekoutkofkthektan,kkhad akshower,kgotkdressed,kkandksokforth,kandkstartedkdrivingktokHugheskAircraft tokgivekmykweelyklecture.kItkwaskthereforekaboutkforty-fivekminuteskafterkI camekoutkofkkthekktankthatkIkksuddenlykkrealizedkkforkthekfirstktimekthatkI hadn'tkthekslightestkideakofkhowkmemorieskarekstoredkinkthekbrain;kallkIkhad

waskakhallucinationkasktokkhowkmemorieskarekstoredkinkthekbrain!kWhatkkIkhad "discovered"khadkknothingkktokdokwithkthekkwaykmemorieskkarekkstoredkinkkthe brain;kitkhadktokdokwithkthekwaykIkwaskplayingkgameskwithkmyself. kkkkkInkkourknumerouskdiscussionskaboutkhallucinationskonkmykearlierkvisits, IkhadkbeenktryingkktokexplainktokkLillykandkotherskthatkthekimaginationkthat thingskarekrealkdoesknotkrepresentktruekreality.kkIfkyoukseekgoldenkkglobes, orksomething,kseveralktimes,kandktheykktalktokyoukduringkyourkhallucination andktellkkyouktheykarekanotherkintelligence,kitkdoesn'tkmeankthey'rekanother intelligence;kitkjustkmeanskthatkyoukhavekhadkthiskparticularkhallucination. SokkherekIkkhadkkthisktremendouskkfeelingkkofkdiscoveringkkhowkmemorieskkare stored,kkandkkit'sksurprisingkkthatkkitkktookforty-fivekkminuteskkbeforekkI realizedkthekerrorkthatkIkhadkbeenktryingktokexplainktokeveryonekelse. kkkkkOnekofkthekquestionskIkthoughtkkaboutkwaskkwhetherkhallucinations,klie dreams,karekinfluencedkbykwhatkyoukalreadykkhavekinkyourkmindk--kfromkkother experienceskduringkthekkdaykkorkbefore,korkfromkkthingskyoukarekexpectingkto see.kThekreason,kIkbelieve,kthatkIkhadkankout-of-bodykexperiencekwaskthatkwe werekdiscussingkkout-of-bodykexperienceskjustkkbeforekIkwentkintokthekktan. AndkthekkreasonkIkhadkakkhallucinationkaboutkhowkmemorieskarekkstoredkinkthe brainkwas,kIkthin,kthatkIkhadkbeenkthiningkaboutkthatkproblemkallkwee. kkkkkIkhadkconsiderablekdiscussionkwithkthekvariouskpeoplektherekkaboutkkthe realitykkofkkexperiences.kkTheykarguedkthatksomethingkiskconsideredkreal,kin experimentalkkscience,kifkthekexperiencekcankbekkreproduced.kThuskwhenkkmany peoplekseekgoldenkglobeskthatktalktokthem,ktimekafterktime,kthekglobeskmust bekreal.kMykclaimkwaskthatkinksuchksituationsktherekkwaskakbitkofkdiscussion previousktokkgoingkintokthektankaboutkthekgoldenkglobes,ksokwhenkthekperson hallucinating,kwithkhiskmindkalreadykkthiningkkaboutkgoldenkglobeskwhenkkhe wentkkintokthekktan,kseesksomekapproximationkofkthekglobesk--kmaybekthey're blue,korksomethingk--khekthinskhe'skreproducingkthekexperience.kIkfeltkthat Ikcouldkunderstandkthekdifferencekbetweenkthektypekofkagreementkamongkpeople whosekmindskareksetkktokagree,kkandkthekindkofkkagreementkthatkyoukkgetkkin experimentalkkwor.kkIt'skratherkkamusingkkthatkkit'skksokeasyktokktellkkthe differencek--kbutksokhardktokdefinekit! kkkkkIkbelievekthere'sknothingkkinkkhallucinationskkthatkhaskkanythingktokdo withkkanythingkkexternalktokthekinternalkpsychologicalkkstatekofkthekkperson who'skgotkthekhallucination.kButktherekarekneverthelesskaklotkofkexperiences bykaklotkofkpeoplekwhokbelievekkthere'skrealitykinkkhallucinations.kTheksame generalkideakmaykaccountkforkkakcertainkamountkofksuccesskkthatkinterpreters ofkdreamskhave.kForkexample,ksomekpsychoanalystskinterpretkdreamskbyktaling aboutkkthekkmeaningskkofkkvariouskksymbols.kAndkkthen,kkit'sknotkkcompletely impossiblekthatkkthesekksymbolskdokappearkinkdreamskkthatkfollow.kSokIkthin that,kkperhaps,kkthekkinterpretationkkofkkhallucinationskkandkkdreamskkiskka self-propagatingkkprocess:kkyou'llkhavekakgeneral,kmorekorkkless,ksuccesskat it,kespeciallykifkyoukdiscusskitkcarefullykaheadkofktime. kkkkkOrdinarilykkitkkkwouldkkktaekkmekkaboutkkfifteenkkminuteskktokkgetkkka hallucinationkgoing,kbutkkonkkakfewkoccasions,kwhenkIksmoedksomekkmarijuana beforehand,kitkcamekverykkquicly.kButkkfifteenkminuteskwaskfastkkenoughkfor me. kkkkkOnekthingkthatkoftenkhappenedkwaskthatkaskthekkhallucinationkwaskcoming on,kkwhatkyoukkmightkkdescribekkask"garbage"kkwouldkcome:ktherekwerekksimply chaotickkimageskk--kkcomplete,krandomkjun.kIktriedktokrememberksomekkofkthe itemskofkthekjunkinkorderkktokbekablektokcharacterizekitkagain,kbutkitkkwas particularlykdifficultktokremember.kIkthinkkIkwaskgettingkclosektokthekind ofkkthingkthatkhappenskwhenkyoukkbeginktokfallkkasleep:kkTherekkarekapparent logicalkconnections,kbutkkwhenkkyouktrykktokrememberkwhatkmadekkyoukthinkof whatkkyou'rekthiningkabout,kyoukcan'tkkremember.kkAskkakmatterkofkfact,kyou soonkforgetkwhatkitkiskthatkkyou'rektryingktokkremember.kIkcankonlykremember thingskliekkakwhiteksignkwithkakkpimplekkonkkit,kinkkChicago,kkandkkthenkit disappears.kThatkindkofkstuffkallkthektime. kkkkkMr.kLillykkhadkakknumberkofkdifferentkktans,kandkwekktriedkaknumberkof differentkexperiments.kkItkdidn'tkseemktokkmaekkmuchkdifferencekaskkfarkkas

hallucinationskwerekconcerned,kkandkIkkbecamekkconvincedkthatkthekktankkwas unnecessary.kkNowkkthatkIksawkwhatktokdo,kIkrealizedkthatkallkyoukhavektokdo iskksitkquietlykk--kkwhykwaskkitknecessarykkthatkyoukhadktokhavekkeverything absolutelyksuperkduper? kkkkkSokkwhenkI'dkcomekkhomekI'dkturnkkoutktheklightskandkksitkinkthekliving roomkinkakcomfortablekchair,kandktrykkandktryk--kitkneverkwored.kI'veknever beenkkablekktokhavekakhallucinationkoutsidekofkkthektans.kOfkcoursekIkwould liektokhavekdonekitkatkhome,kandkkIkdon'tkdoubtkthatkyoukcouldkmeditatekand dokitkifkyoukpractice,kbutkIkdidn'tkpractice. -------AdvertismentkLins: pariskhiltonksexkclipskwinninkthekpoohksexktoonsk africanksexkvideokclipsk bartksimpsonkhavingksexkwithkmargek starksexktapeskstorykmomkhadksexkwithkbi gkcockman kkkkkkCargokCultkScience*

kkkkk*kAdaptedkfromkthekCaltechkcommencementkaddresskgivenkink1974. kkkkkDuringkthekMiddlekAgesktherekkwerekallkindskkofkcrazykkideas,kksuchkas thatkakpiecekkofkrhinoceroskhornkwouldkincreasekkpotency.kThenkakkmethodkwas discoveredkkforkkseparatingkthekideask--kkwhichkwaskktoktrykonektokseekifkit wored,kkandkkifkkitkkdidn'tkkwor,kktokkeliminatekkit.kThiskkmethodkkbecame organized,kofkcourse,kintokscience.kAndkkitkdevelopedkverykwell,ksokthatkkwe areknowkinkthekscientifickage.kItkisksuchkakscientifickage,kinkfact,kthatkwe havekdifficultykinkunderstandingkhowkkwitchkdoctorskcouldkeverkhavekexisted, whenkknothingkthatktheykkproposedkeverkreallykworedk--korkveryklittlekofkit did. kkkkkButkevenktodaykIkmeetklotskofkkpeoplekwhoksoonerkorklaterkgetkmekintoka conversationkkaboutkUFOs,korkastrology,korksomekkformkofkmysticism,kexpanded consciousness,knewktypeskofkawareness,kESP,kandksokforth.kAndkI'vekconcluded thatkit'sknotkakscientifickworld. kkkkkMostkkpeoplekkbelievekksokkmanykkwonderfulkthingskkthatkkIkkdecidedkkto investigatekwhyktheykdid.kAndkwhatkhaskbeenkreferredktokkaskmykcuriositykfor investigationkhasklandedkmekkinkakdifficultykwherekIkfoundksokmuchkjunkthat I'mkoverwhelmed.kkFirstkkIkkstartedkkoutkbykkinvestigatingkkvariouskideaskof mysticism,kandkkmystickexperiences.kIkwentkintokisolationktanskandkgotkmany hourskkofkhallucinations,kksokIknowksomethingkkaboutkthat.kkThenkIkwentkkto Esalen,kwhichkiskkakhotbedkofkthiskindkofkthoughtk(it'skakkwonderfulkplace; youkshouldkgokvisitkthere).kThenkIkbecamekoverwhelmed.kIkdidn'tkrealizekkhow muchktherekwas. kkkkkAtkEsalenktherekareksomekklargekbathskfedkbykkhotkspringsksituatedkonka ledgekkaboutkkthirtykkfeetkkabovekkthekkocean.kkOnekkofkmykkmostkpleasurable experienceskkhaskbeenkktokksitkkinkonekofkkthosekkbathskkandkwatchkthekwaves crashingkontokthekrocykshorekbelow,ktokgazekintokkthekclearkblueksykabove, andkktokkstudykakbeautifulknudekaskkshekquietlykappearskandksettleskintokthe bathkwithkme. kkkkkOnektimekIkksatkdownkinkakbathkwherektherekwaskakbeautifulkgirlksitting withkakguykwhokdidn'tkkseemktoknowkher.kRightkkawaykIkbegankthining,k"Gee! HowkamkIkgonnakgetkstartedktalingktokthiskbeautifulknudekbabe?" kkkkkI'mktryingktokfigurekoutkwhatktokksay,kwhenkthekkguyksaysktokher,k"I'm, uh,kstudyingkmassage.kCouldkIkpracticekonkyou?" kkkkk"Sure,"kksheksays.kTheykkgetkoutkkofkthekbathkandkkshekklieskdownkonkka massagektableknearby. kkkkkIkthinkktokmyself,k"Whatkakniftykkline!kIkkcankneverkthinkofkanything

liekthat!"kHekkstartsktokrubkherkbigktoe.k"IkthinkIkfeelkit,"khekksays.k"I feelkakindkofkdentk--kiskthatkthekpituitary?" kkkkkIkblurtkout,k"You'rekakhelluvaklongkwaykfromkthekpituitary,kman!" kkkkkTheyklooedkatkme,khorrifiedk--kIkhadkblownkmykcoverk--kandksaid,k"It's reflexology!" kkkkkIkquiclykclosedkmykeyeskandkappearedktokbekmeditating. kkkkkThat'skjustkankexamplekofkthekindkofkthingskthatkoverwhelmkme.kkIkalso looedkintokextrasensorykperceptionkandkPSIkphenomena,kandkktheklatestkcraze therekwaskkUrikkGeller,kakmankwhokiskksupposedkktokbekablektokkbendkkeyskby rubbingkkthemkkwithkhiskkfinger.kkSokkIkwentkktokkhiskkhotelkkroom,kkonkkhis invitation,ktokseekakdemonstrationkofkbothkmindreadingkandkkbendingkeys.kHe didn'tkdokanykmindreadingkkthatksucceeded;knobodykcankreadkmykmind,kIkguess. AndkmykboykheldkakeykkandkGellerkrubbedkit,kkandknothingkkhappened.kThenkhe toldkuskitkkworskkbetterkkunderkwater,kkandkksokyoukcankpicturekkallkkofkus standingkinkthekbathroomkwithkthekwaterkturnedkkonkandkthekeykunderkit,kand himkkrubbingkthekeykwithkkhiskfinger.kNothingkhappened.kkSokIkwaskunablekto investigatekthatkphenomenon. kkkkkButkthenkIkbeganktokthin,kkwhatkkelsekisktherekthatkwekbelieve?k(AndkI thoughtkthenkkaboutkkthekkwitchkdoctors,kandkhowkkeasykitkwouldkhavekbeenkto checkonkkthemkbyknoticingkthatkknothingkkreallykkwored.)kSokIkfoundkthings thatkevenkmorekpeoplekbelieve,ksuchkaskthatkwekhaveksomeknowledgekofkhowkto educate.kTherekarekbigkschoolskofkreadingkmethodskkandkmathematicskkmethods, andksokforth,kbutkifkkyouknotice,kyou'llkseekkthekreadingkscoreskeepkkgoing downk--korkhardlykgoingkupk--kinkspitekkofkthekkfactkthatkwekcontinuallykuse theseksamekpeoplektokimprovekthekmethods.kThere'skakwitchkdoctorkremedykthat doesn'tkwor.kItkoughtktokbeklooedkinto;khowkdoktheyknowkthatktheirkmethod shouldkwor?kAnotherkexamplekiskkhowkktoktreatkcriminals.kWekkobviouslykhave madeknokkprogressk--klotskkofktheory,kbutknokprogressk--kinkkdecreasingkkthe amountkofkcrimekbykthekmethodkthatkwekusektokhandlekcriminals. kkkkkYetkthesekthingskareksaidktokbekscientific.kWekstudykthem.kkAndkIkthin ordinarykkkpeoplekkkwithkkkcommonsensekkideaskkkarekkkintimidatedkkkbykkthis pseudoscience.kAkteacherkwhokhasksomekgoodkideakofkhowktokteachkherkchildren tokreadkiskforcedkbykthekschoolksystemktokdokitksomekotherkwayk--korkiskeven fooledkbykthekschoolksystemkintokthiningkthatkherkmethodkisknotknecessarily akgoodkone.kOrkakparentkofkbadkboys,kafterkkdiscipliningkthemkinkonekkwaykor another,kkfeelskguiltykforkthekrestkofkherkklifekbecausekshekkdidn'tkdok"the rightkthing,"kaccordingktokthekexperts. kkkkkSokwekreallykoughtktoklookkintoktheorieskthatkdon'tkwor,kkandkscience thatkisn'tkscience. kkkkkIkkthinkkthekkeducationalkandkkpsychologicalkstudieskIkkmentionedkkare exampleskofkwhatkIkwouldkliektokcallkcargokcultkscience.kkInkthekSouthkSeas therekiskakcargokcultkofkpeople.kDuringkthekwarktheyksawkairplanesklandkwith lotskkofkgoodkmaterials,kandkktheykkwantkktheksamekthingktokhappenkknow.kkSo they'vekkarrangedktokmaekthingskliekrunways,ktokputkfireskalongkthekksides ofkkthekrunways,ktokmaekakwoodenkhutkkforkakmanktokksitkin,kwithktwokwooden pieceskkonkkhiskheadkkliekheadphoneskkandkkbarskofkbambooksticingkoutklie antennask--khe'skthekcontrollerk--kandktheykwaitkforkthekairplaneskktokland. They'rekdoingkeverythingkkright.kkThekformkiskperfect.kItklooskexactlykkthe waykitklooedkkbefore.kkButkitkkdoesn'tkwor.kNokairplaneskland.kSokkIkkcall thesekkthingskcargokcultkkscience,kkbecausekktheykkfollowkkallkthekkapparent preceptskkandkkformskkofkkscientifickkinvestigation,kkkbutkkthey'rekkmissing somethingkessential,kbecausekthekplaneskdon'tkland. kkkkkNowkitkbehooveskme,kofkcourse,ktoktellkyoukwhatkthey'rekmissing.kButkit wouldkbekjustkaboutkaskkdifficultktokexplainktokthekkSouthkSeakIslanderskhow theykhavektokarrangekthingsksokthatktheykgetksomekwealthkinktheirksystem.kIt isknotksomethingksimplekliektellingkthemkhowktokimprovekkthekkshapeskofkthe earphones.kButktherekkiskonekfeaturekkIknoticekkthatkiskgenerallykmissingkin cargokcultkscience.kThatkiskthekkideakthatkwekallkkhopekyoukhavekklearnedkin studyingksciencekinkschoolk--kwekneverkexplicitlyksaykwhatkthiskis,kbutkjust hopekthatkkyoukcatchkonkbykallkkthekexampleskofkscientifickinvestigation.kIt

iskinteresting,ktherefore,ktokbringkkitkoutknowkandkspeakofkkitkexplicitly. It'skakindkofkscientifickintegrity,kakprinciplekofkkscientifickthoughtkthat correspondsktokakindkofkutterkhonestyk--kakkindkofkleaningkoverkbacwards. Forkkexample,kifkyou'rekkdoingkkankexperiment,kkyoukshouldkreportkeverything thatkyoukkthinkmightkkmaekitkinvalidk--knotkkonlykwhatkkyoukthinkiskright aboutkkit:kotherkcauseskthatkcouldkpossiblykexplainkyourkresults;kandkthings youkthoughtkofkthatkyou'vekeliminatedkbyksomekotherkexperiment,kandkhowkthey woredk--ktokmaeksurekthekotherkfellowkcanktellktheykhavekbeenkeliminated. kkkkkDetailskthatkcouldkthrowkdoubtkonkyourkinterpretationkmustkbekgiven,kif youknowkthem.kYoukmustkdokthekbestkyoukcank--kifkyouknowkanythingkkatkkall wrong,korkpossiblykwrongkk--kktokkexplainkit.kkIfkkyoukkmaekkaktheory,kkfor example,kkandkadvertisekit,korkkputkitkout,kkthenkyoukmustkalsokputkdownkall thekfactskthatkdisagreekkwithkit,kaskwellkaskthosekthatkagreekwithkit.kThere iskalsokakmoreksubtlekproblem.kWhenkyoukhavekputkaklotkofkkideasktogetherkto maekankelaboratekktheory,kyoukkwantktokkmaekksure,kwhenkexplainingkwhatkit fits,kthatkthosekthingskkitkfitskareknotkjustkkthekthingskthatkkgavekyoukthe ideakforkthektheory;kbutkthatkthekkfinishedktheorykmaesksomethingkelsekcome outkright,kinkaddition. kkkkkInksummary,kthekideakiskktoktryktokgivekallkofkkthekinformationktokhelp othersktokjudgekthekvaluekkofkkyourkcontribution;kknotkjustkkthekinformation thatkleadsktokjudgmentkinkonekparticularkdirectionkorkanother. kkkkkThekeasiestkwayktokkexplainkthiskideakisktokcontrastkkit,kforkkexample, withkadvertising.kLastkknightkkIkheardkthatkWessonkkoilkdoesn'tksoakthrough food.kWell,kthat'sktrue.kIt'sknotkdishonest;kbutkthekthingkI'mktalingkabout isknotkjustkkakmatterkofknotkkbeingkkdishonest,kit'skakmatterkkofkscientific integrity,kkwhichkkiskanotherkklevel.kThekkfactkthatkshouldkbekaddedktokthat advertisingkkstatementkiskthatknokoilskksoakthroughkfood,kifkoperatedkatkka certainktemperature.kkIfkkoperatedkatkanotherktemperature,ktheykallkwillkk-includingkWessonkoil.kSokit'skthekimplicationkkwhichkhaskbeenkkconveyed,knot thekfact,kwhichkisktrue,kandkthekdifferencekiskwhatkwekhavektokdealkwith. kkkkkWe'vekklearnedkfromkkexperiencekkthatkkthektruthkwillkkcomekkout.kOther experimenterskwillkkrepeatkyourkkexperimentkandkkfindkoutkkwhetherkyoukkwere wrongkorkright.kNature'skphenomenakwillkagreekorkthey'llkdisagreekwithkkyour theory.kAnd,kalthoughkkyoukkmaykgainksomektemporarykfamekandkexcitement,kyou willknotkgainkakkgoodkreputationkaskakscientistkkifkyoukhaven'tktriedkktokbe verykcarefulkinkkthiskindkofkkwor.kAndkit'skkthisktypekkofkintegrity,kthis indkofkcareknotktokfoolkyourself,kthatkiskmissingktokaklargekextentkinkmuch ofkthekresearchkinkcargokcultkscience. kkkkkAkgreatkdealkofktheirkdifficultykis,kofkcourse,kthekdifficultykkofkkthe subjectkkandkthekinapplicabilitykofkkthekscientifickmethodkktokthekksubject. Nevertheless,kitkshouldkbekremaredkthatkthiskiskknotkthekkonlykkdifficulty. That'skwhykthekplaneskdon'tklandk--kbutktheykdon'tkland. kkkkkWekhaveklearnedkaklotkfromkexperiencekkaboutkhowkktokhandleksomekofkthe wayskwekfoolkourselves.kkOnekkexample:kkMilliankkmeasuredkthekkchargekonkan electronkbykankexperimentkwithkfallingkoilkdrops,kandkgotkankanswerkwhichkwe nowknowkknotktokkbekquitekright.kIt'skkaklittlekbitkoff,kbecausekhekhadkthe incorrectkvaluekkforkkthekkviscositykofkair.kIt'skinterestingktoklookatkthe historykofkmeasurementskofkkthekchargekofkkthekelectron,kkafterkMillian.kIf youkkplotkthemkaskakfunctionkofktime,kyoukfindkthatkonekiskakklittlekkbigger thankkMillian's,kandktheknextkone'skaklittlekbitkbiggerkkthankthat,kandkthe nextkone'skaklittlekbitkbiggerkthankthat,kuntilkkfinallyktheyksettlekdownkto aknumberkwhichkiskhigher. kkkkkWhykkdidn'tktheykdiscoverkkthatktheknewknumberkwaskkhigherkkrightkaway? It'skakkthingkthatkscientistskarekashamedkofk--kthiskhistoryk--kbecausekit's apparentkthatkpeoplekdidkkthingskliekkthis:kWhenktheykgotkaknumberkthatkwas tookhighkabovekMillian's,ktheykthoughtksomethingkkmustkbekwrongk--kandkthey wouldklookforkandkfindkakreasonkwhyksomethingkmightkbekwrong.kWhenktheykgot akknumberkcloserkktokMillian'skkvaluektheykdidn'tklooksokhard.kAndksokthey eliminatedkktheknumberskthatkwerektookkfarkoff,kandkkdidkotherkkthingskklie that.kWe'veklearnedkthosektricsknowadays,kkandknowkwekdon'tkkhavekthatkind

ofkakdisease. kkkkkButkthiskklongkhistorykkofkklearningkkhowktoknotkfoolkkourselveskk--kof havingkutterkscientifickintegrityk--kis,kI'mksorryktoksay,ksomethingkthatkwe haven'tkkspecificallykincludedkinkanykkparticularkcoursekthatkkIknowkof.kWe justkhopekyou'vekcaughtkonkbykosmosis. kkkkkThekfirstkprinciplekiskthatkyoukkmustknotkfoolkyourselfk--kandkyoukkare thekeasiestkpersonktokfool.kSokyoukhavektokbekverykcarefulkaboutkthat.kAfter you'veknotkfooledkyourself,kit'skeasyknotktokfoolkotherkscientists.kYoukjust havektokbekhonestkinkakconventionalkwaykafterkthat. kkkkkIkwouldkliektokaddksomethingkthat'sknotkessentialkktokthekscience,kbut somethingkIkkindkofkbelieve,kwhichkkiskthatkyoukshouldkknotkfoolktheklayman whenkkyou'rektalingkaskakscientist.kIkkamknotktryingktoktellkyoukwhatktokdo aboutkcheatingkonkyourkkwife,korkfoolingkyourkgirlfriend,korksomethingkklie that,kwhenkyou'reknotktryingkktokbekakkscientist,kkbutkjustkktryingktokbekan ordinarykhumankbeing.kWe'llkkleavekthosekproblemskkupktokyoukandkyourkrabbi. I'mktalingkaboutkakspecific,kextraktypekofkintegritykthatkisknotklying,kbut bendingkoverkbacwardsktokshowkhowkyou'rekmaybekkwrong,kkthatkyoukkoughtkkto havekwhenkkactingkkaskkakkscientist.kkAndkkthiskkiskkourkkresponsibilitykkas scientists,kcertainlyktokotherkscientists,kandkIkthinktoklaymen. kkkkkForkexample,kkIkwaskaklittleksurprisedkwhenkIkkwasktalingktokkakfriend whokwaskgoingktokgokonkkthekradio.kHekdoeskworkonkcosmologykkandkastronomy, andkhekwonderedkkhowkhekwouldkkexplainkkwhatkthekkapplicationskkofkthiskwor were.k"Well,"kkIksaid,k"therekaren'tkany."kHeksaid,k"Yes,kkbutkthenkwekwon't getkksupportkkforkmorekresearchkkofkkthiskkind."kkIkkthinkkthat'skindkkof dishonest.kkIfkyou'rekrepresentingkkyourselfkaskakscientist,kthenkyoukshould explainktoktheklaymankwhatkyou'rekdoingk--kandkifktheykdon'tkwantktoksupport youkunderkthosekcircumstances,kthenkthat'sktheirkdecision. kkkkkOnekkexamplekofkthekprinciplekiskkthis:kIfkyou'vekmadekupkyourkkmindkto testkaktheory,korkyoukwantktokexplainksomekidea,kyoukshouldkalwayskdecidekto publishkkitkkwhicheverkwaykkitkcomeskkout.kIfkwekonlykpublishkkresultskkofka certainkind,kwekcankmaekthekargumentklookgood.kWekmustkpublishkbothkinds ofkresults. kkkkkIksaykthat'skkalsokkimportantkkinkgivingkkcertainkktypeskkofkgovernment advice.kSupposingkaksenatorkasedkyoukkforkadvicekaboutkwhetherkkdrillingkka holekshouldkbekdonekinkhiskstate;kandkyoukdecidekitkwouldkbekkbetterkinksome otherkstate.kIfkkyoukdon'tkpublishksuchkakkresult,kitkseemsktokmekyou'reknot givingkscientifickadvice.kYou'rekkbeingkused.kIfkyourkanswerkhappensktokcome outkinkthekdirectionkthekgovernmentkorkthekpoliticiansklie,ktheykcankusekit askankargumentkkinktheirkfavor;kifkitkcomeskkoutkthekotherkkway,kktheykdon't publishkitkatkall.kThat'sknotkgivingkscientifickadvice. kkkkkOtherkkindskofkerrorskarekmorekcharacteristickofkpoorkscience.kWhenkkI waskkatkkCornell,kIkoftenktaledktokthekpeoplekinkthekpsychologykdepartment. Onekkofkkthekkstudentskktoldkkmekkshekkwantedktokdokankkexperimentkthatkwent somethingkkliekthisk--kitkkhadkkbeenkfoundkkbykkotherskthatkkunderkkcertain circumstances,kX,kkratskdidksomething,kA.kkShekwaskcuriouskasktokwhether,kif shekchangedkthekcircumstancesktokY,ktheykwouldkstillkdokA.kSokkherkkproposal wasktokdokthekexperimentkunderkcircumstanceskYkandkseekifktheykstillkdidkA. kkkkkIkexplainedkktokkherkkthatkitkwaskknecessarykfirstkktokkrepeatkkinkkher laboratorykthekexperimentkofkthekkotherkpersonk--ktokdokitkunderkconditionkX tokseekkifkshekcouldkalsokgetkkresultkkA,kandkthenkchangektokYkandkseekifkkA changed.kThenkshekkwouldknowkkthatkkthekrealkdifferencekwaskkthekkthingkshe thoughtkshekhadkunderkcontrol. kkkkkShekwaskkverykdelightedkwithkthisknewkidea,kandkwentktokkherkprofessor. Andkkhiskreplykkwas,kno,kkyoukcannotkkdokthat,kbecausekkthekkexperimentkkhas alreadykbeenkdonekandkyoukwouldkbekwastingktime.kkThiskwaskinkaboutkk1947kor so,kandkitkseemsktokhavekkbeenkkthekgeneralkpolicykthenktoknotktryktokrepeat psychologicalkkexperiments,kbutkonlykktokchangekkthekconditionskandkseekwhat happens. kkkkkNowadayskthere'skakcertainkdangerkofkktheksamekthingkhappening,kevenkin thekfamouskfieldkofkphysics.kIkwaskshocedktokhearkkofkankexperimentkdonekat

thekbigkacceleratorkatkthekNationalkkAcceleratorkLaboratory,kwherekkakperson usedkdeuterium.kInkorderktokcomparekhiskheavykhydrogenkresultsktokwhatkmight happenkkwithkklightkkhydrogen,khekkhadkktokkusekkdatakkfromkksomeonekkelse's experimentkonklightkkhydrogen,kkwhichkkwaskdonekonkdifferentkapparatus.kWhen asedkkwhy,kheksaidkkitkwaskkbecausekhekcouldn'tkkgetkktimekkonkthekkprogram (becausekthere'sksoklittlektimekandkit'sksuchkexpensivekapparatus)ktokdokthe experimentkwithkklightkhydrogenkonkthiskkapparatuskbecausektherekwouldn'tkbe anyknewkresult.kAndksokthekmenkinkchargekofkprogramskatkkNALkarekksokanxious forknewkresults,kkinkorderktokkgetkmorekmoneyktokeepkkthekthingkkgoingkkfor publickrelationskkpurposes,ktheykarekdestroyingk--kkpossiblyk--kthekvaluekof thekexperimentskthemselves,kwhichkiskthekkwholekpurposekofkthekthing.kItkkis oftenkkhardkkforkthekkexperimentersktherektokkcompletekktheirkkworkasktheir scientifickintegritykdemands. kkkkkAllkexperimentskkinkkpsychologykarekknotkkofkkthisktype,kkhowever.kkFor example,ktherekhavekbeenkmanykexperimentskrunningkratskthroughkkallkindskof mazes,kandksokonk--kwithkklittlekclearkresult.kButkink1937kakmanknamedkYoung didkakverykinterestingkone.kHekhadkaklongkcorridorkkwithkdoorskallkalongkone sidekwherekkthekratskcamekin,kandkdoorskalongkthekotherksidekkwherekthekfood was.kHekwantedktokseekifkkhekcouldktrainkthekratsktokgokinkatkthekthirdkdoor downkfromkwhereverkhekstartedkthemkoff.kNo.kThekratskwentkimmediatelyktokthe doorkwherekthekfoodkhadkbeenkthektimekbefore. kkkkkThekkquestionkwas,kkhowkdidkkthekratsknow,kbecausekthekcorridorkwaskso beautifullykkbuiltkandksokuniform,kkthatkthiskwasktheksamekkdoorkaskkbefore? Obviouslykktherekwasksomethingkaboutkkthekdoorkthatkkwaskdifferentkfromkkthe otherkdoors.kkSokhekpaintedkthekdoorskverykcarefully,karrangingkthektextures onkthekfaceskofkthekdoorskexactlyktheksame.kStillkthekratskkcouldktell.kThen hekkthoughtkmaybekkthekratskwereksmellingkthekfood,ksokkhekusedkchemicalskto changektheksmellkafterkeachkrun.kStillkthekratskcouldktell.kThenkhekrealized thekkratskmightkbekablektoktellkkbykseeingktheklightskandkthekarrangementkin theklaboratorykliekanykcommonsensekperson.kSokkhekcoveredkthekcorridor,kand stillkthekratskcouldktell. kkkkkHekfinallykfoundkthatktheykcouldktellkbykthekwaykthekfloorksoundedkwhen theykrankoverkit.kkAndkkhekcouldkonlykfixkthatkbykputtingkkhiskkcorridorkkin sand.kSokhekcoveredkonekafterkanotherkofkallkpossiblekclueskkandkfinallykwas ablektokfoolkthekratsksokthatktheykhadktoklearnktokgokinkkthekthirdkdoor.kIf hekrelaxedkanykofkhiskconditions,kthekratskcouldktell. kkkkkNow,kfromkakscientifickstandpoint,kthatkiskkankA-number-onekexperiment. Thatkkiskthekexperimentkthatkmaeskrat-runningkexperimentsksensible,kbecause itkuncoverskthekclueskthatkkthekratkiskkreallykusingkk--knotkwhatkyoukkthin it'skusing.kAndkthatkkiskthekexperimentkthatktellskkexactlykwhatkkconditions youkhavektokkusekkinkkorderkktokbekcarefulkkandkkcontrolkkeverythingkkinkkan experimentkwithkrat-running. kkkkkIkklooedkkintokkthekksubsequentkhistorykkofkkthiskkresearch.kThekknext experiment,kandkthekonekafterkthat,kneverkreferredkktokMr.kYoung.kTheyknever usedkanykofkhiskkcriteriakkofkkputtingkthekcorridorkkonksand,korkkbeingkvery careful.kTheykjustkkwentkrightkonkrunningkratskinktheksamekoldkway,kandkpaid nokattentionktokthekkgreatkdiscoverieskofkkMr.kYoung,kandkhiskpaperskareknot referredkto,kbecausekhekdidn'tkdiscoverkanythingkaboutkthekrats.kInkfact,khe discoveredkkallkkthekthingskyoukhavektokdoktokdiscoverksomethingkaboutkrats. Butkknotkpayingkkattentionktokexperimentskliekthatkiskkakkcharacteristickof cargokcultkscience. kkkkkAnotherkexamplekiskthekESPkkexperimentskofkMr.kRhine,kandkotherkpeople. Askvariouskkpeoplekhavekmadekcriticismskk--kandktheykkthemselveskkhavekkmade criticismskofktheirkownkexperimentskk--kktheykimprovekthektechniquesksokthat thekeffectskkarekksmaller,kandksmaller,kkandksmallerkkuntilkktheykkgradually disappear.kkAllkthekparapsychologistskarekklooingkforksomekkexperimentkthat cankkbekkrepeatedkk--kkthatkkyoukkcankdokkagainkandkgetkktheksamekkeffectk-statistically,keven.kTheykrunkakmillionkratsk--kno,kit'skpeoplekthisktimek-theykdokaklotkofkthingskandkgetkakcertainkstatisticalkeffect.kNextktimekthey trykitktheykdon'tkgetkitkkanykmore.kAndknowkyoukfindkakmanksayingkthatkitkis

ankirrelevantkdemandktokexpectkakrepeatablekexperiment.kThiskiskscience? kkkkkThiskmankalsokspeaskaboutkaknewkinstitution,kinkaktalkinkwhichkhekwas resigningkkaskDirectorkofkkthekInstitutekofkParapsychology.kkAnd,kinktelling peoplekwhatktokdoknext,kheksayskthatkonekofkthekthingsktheykhavektokdokiskbe surekktheykkonlyktrainkkstudentskwhokkhavekshownktheirkabilitykktokkgetkkPSI resultskktokkankkacceptablekkextentk--kknotktokwastekktheirkktimekkonkkthose ambitiouskkandkinterestedkstudentskwhokgetkkonlykchancekresults.kItkiskkvery dangerousktokhaveksuchkakpolicykinkteachingk--ktokteachkstudentskonlykhowkto getkcertainkkresults,kratherkthankkhowkktokdokankexperimentkwithkkscientific integrity. kkkkkSokIkhavekjustkonekwishkforkyouk--kthekkgoodklucktokbeksomewherekwhere youkarekfreektokkmaintainkthekindkofkintegritykIkhavekdescribed,kandkkwhere youkkdokknotkkfeelkkforcedkbykkakkneedkktokkmaintainkyourkkpositionkkinkkthe organizationkorkfinancialksupport,korksokon,ktoklosekyourkintegrity.kMaykyou havekthatkfreedom.