When I started reading Alan Alda's essay and he started describing Richard Feynman, I realized that he reminded me exactly of Felix Hoenikker. Hoenikker is a fictional character from a book that I read entitled Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut.
There are many similarities between the two of them. For example, they're both phsyicists that aid in the development of the atomic bomb. Also, they follow their curiosity and have fun while they do so. When Feynman spends months trying to decipher why a plate wobbles as it spins, it's just like the time that Hoenikker develops a fascination for turtles, and it becomes his obsession. Neither of them lose their sense of curiosity or adolescence, constantly experimenting with new things and exploring new ideas. Comparing the two is almost like comparing the same person.
The two scientists inform one another by demonstrating a lack of normality in one area. Hoenikker, unlike Feynman, is unable to present himself as a normal guy. Hoenikker was always a little weird. He's very quiet and not great at relating to other people. However, Alda describes in his essay that Feynman was capable of being just another man, though his mind was so much more extensive than most's.
These two closesly related men provide insight on the minds of brilliant people. I think it is so important to know that these two extremely intelligent men can come off as lunatics, at times. I know that sounds harsh, but I mean it in a positive way. Our perception of smart people is not that of someone who plays with toys and acts on impulse. However, these two incredibly ingenius men happen to do both of these things. Therefore, I think that these men teach a very important lesson, which is that sometimes our perception is off, and often people are not who they seem to be.
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