Arthur Ashkin
Physicist; Nobel laureate in physics for the invention of optical tweezers
I can be cranky,
Which trait do you most dislike in yourself?
Question
What would you like to be remembered for?
Death & what remains
Question
When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
Question
What is your greatest fear?
Identity & self
Question
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Time & hindsight
Question
Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Money & investment
Question
What happens when we die?
Death & what remains
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's The Q&A has retained this Proust-derived prompt from at least 2007 through 2026, and ABC independently put it to the Obamas in 2011.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
I don’t say that I’m perfect but there’s nothing that I deplore.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 August 2025 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 257 →When I ruin someone else’s story because I think mine is better, so butt in before they’ve finished theirs.
Sometimes I follow my instincts more than my reason.
I’m judgmental.
More from Su Pollard
View profile →For bringing positivity to people.
Getting my full Equity card as a professional performer.
Dying too young, and spiders.
Stay out of other people’s business.
A hand-painted beaded dress from New York. It weighs about 16lb and cost me £4,000, 30 years ago.
We drift off to a beautiful place where we live a better, fuller life than what we’ve left.
More on identity & self
Also answered this
Guy Pearce, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Caroline Lucas, Toni Collette, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Hugh Grant
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