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Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by rg111 on Saturday October 09, 2021 @11:35AM (#28810753)
I used to think this way once. But not any more.

Some people might do or were something that I won't like. I have learned to not let that influence me in way, and be comfortably ambivalent.

I especially felt bad after I came to know that Richard Feynman slept with many of his friends' wives and tried to sleep with even more of them. He burnt a lot of bridges this way. One Physicist had told me that Feynman hit on his wife twice, and when discouraged by the wife, he let it go as a perfect gentleman.

Despite this, Feynman remains one of my most revered icons and his picture still hangs on my wall.

I don't overlook what he did or try to find some naive justification. I know he was this way and that does not make his mind less fascinating to me.

Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by everybodyknows on Saturday October 09, 2021 @04:55PM (#28813216)
Not doubting this, but can you point us to a source?
Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by rg111 on Sunday October 10, 2021 @12:34AM (#28815770)
I read about this mainly in The Life and Science of Richard Feynman by James Gleick.

Also in some blogs and articles. I cannot find these now.

Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by oingodoingo on Saturday October 09, 2021 @12:40PM (#28811283)
I mean you could appreciate his achievements but it does seem weird to have a photo of him on the wall, for some women it might be a red flag
Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by iamtedd on Saturday October 09, 2021 @08:30PM (#28814660)
God, what's with all this silent judgement? Have you ever heard of a 'conversation-starter'? How about you ask before you assume?

Having a picture of von Neumann is in no way a red flag as much as having a picture of, or the name of a particular past US President would.

Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by WalterBright on Saturday October 09, 2021 @02:24PM (#28812014)
> Richard Feynman slept with many of his friends' wives and tried to sleep with even more of them.

If you're going to indict people for having immoral sex, you'll have to indict probably 90%. If you include trying to have immoral sex, how many would pass your test?

Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by rg111 on Saturday October 09, 2021 @03:57PM (#28812714)
For me personally it's not sex or even immoral sex, it's betraying one's friends.

I know the wives were equally guilty. He seduced but never ever forced to anyone's knowledge.

He often committed these acts of adultery when he was welcomed as a guest at someone's home.

Having adventures on the bed with the wives of the people who invited you in their homes- pretty low to me.

The women were adult and consenting, but it is still betraying the trust of people.

If all these were to happen with the consent of the husbands, although it would be extremely weird and unnatural, not to mention- immoral, by the standard of the stark majority of any society, I wouldn't have given it any thought at all.

Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by WalterBright on Saturday October 09, 2021 @06:54PM (#28814084)
This kind of amoral sexual behavior among charismatic celebrities is commonplace.
Re:A new biography of John von Neumann by lsiq on Sunday October 10, 2021 @03:11AM (#28816435)
When I read posts like this I just think, life teaches only some learn.