Murray Gell-Mann angered [Feynman's] family at a memorial service by asserting 'He surrounded himself with a cloud of myth, and he spent a great deal of time and energy generating anecdotes about himself.' These were stories, Gell-Mann added, 'in which he had to come out, if possible, looking smarter than anyone else.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A colleague criticizes Feynman for creating self-aggrandizing stories. It questions the authenticity of his public persona.
- In plain terms
- Gell-Mann said Feynman told stories to look smarter.
- What can you take from it?
- Question the stories people tell about themselves.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much of a story is true?
- Who tells your story?
Another view
Personal anecdotes can still be valuable even if embellished.
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