The Sword and Laser discussion

I'm nearing the end of part 2, but Jiang's role had me thinking for the group, are there any teachers/professors who were eccentric or unusual but who greatly influenced you?

In real life no, but my first encounter with an eccentric teacher in fiction was very memorable: Hong Qi (or Hong Qigong) leader of the Beggars Sect in Jin Yong's wuxia novel Legend of the Condor Heroes. A happy-go-lucky old guy, he once severs one of his fingers to remind himself to be more time conscious as he has once failed a mission after overindulgence in fine cuisine.

I can't really think of any in real life at the moment, but I do really like Jiang's portrayal. I appreciate he wasn't just inscrutable or completely above human concerns. The part where he practically begs Rin to become his student because he's so afraid his discipline will die out--that was a really human moment.