Azhir Mahmood  🚀 🤖 🧬 🧠 🪐

He was notorious for having affairs with the partners of his postdocs. "Flawed" seems like a pretty mild description.

His Russian counterpart Lev Landau was pretty similar. Maybe it’s something in theoretical physics.

I think we need to disconnect ideas/discoveries from individuals. Idealising someone is a mistake. His achievements don't excuse his behaviour. We will never know the amazing things that could have been discovered had others not been discouraged and had he been accommodating.

I don't disagree, but my position is slightly more nuanced. First, the asshole part if all hearsay. Even that hearsay doesn't accuse him of anything criminal. He's dead and cannot defend himself. We don't know the final balance of the people he encouraged vs. those he discouraged

The public character has encouraged many . But the individual... Well, in 1968 and 1978 there were protests over his alleged sexism. (I mean that's pretty convincing to me.) Mary Bell, his wife, was frightened by his violent temper - divorcing due to extreme cruelty.

I'm not against discussing these allegations (as well as his hygiene habits) but I really don't know how much of this is true and I don't like smearing a person who cannot have a fair trial. Perhaps let's agree that the public image he managed to create deserves admiration.

The good that men do lives after them; The evil is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Nobel Feynman.

Agree w/ Barak. We don’t use the argument they’re dead so can’t defend themselves to Columbus. I think private interacts is more important than public persona. Dialogues is important b/c who we hold up as heroes shape our perception. Plus literally has no bearing on his career