I think it’s much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. I have approximate answers, and possible beliefs, and different degrees of uncertainty about different things, but I am not absolutely sure of anything. There are many things I don’t know anything about, such as whether it means anything to ask “Why are we here?” I might think about it a little bit, and if I can’t figure it out then I go on to something else. But I don’t have to know an answer. I don’t feel frightened by not knowing things, by being lost in the mysterious universe without having any purpose - which is the way it really is, as far as I can tell.
Oh thank you. Feynman’s up there with Sagan for me as an easy listen that brings insight and joy.
Currently working my way through Cosmos again (the book). I genuinely marvel at these minds that have such deep, deep insight and understanding yet manage to convey it with such ease.
edit: I am 4 minutes in and smiling. What an incredible mind.
edit 2: I’m at the magnets section and just realised I’ve seen this before a very long time ago. Long enough ago to be fortunate enough to not remember most of it and get the joy a second time.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. I love how he seems to occasionally just bubble over with joy when talking about these things–he can’t sit still he’s so giddy. The idea of burning a wood fire as “releasing stored sunlight” is one cool idea that stuck with me.