2005-04-23
ALBERT EINSTEIN
We know him mostly for the famous equation, noted on the left | But the E=mc2 mathematician / philosopher Albert Einstein was also known as "The Hell-Raiser of Saranac Lake" thanks to his semi-reckless strafing
of the shores with his powerboat; creating large wakes and soaking all who were within range | He was, then, loveable prankster as well as an icon | 2
Einstein was also a humanitarian | I don't know if his having closely escaped from Nazi Germany's clutches was the impetus for his beliefs, but I no doubt played a part | He had a lot to say about the state of the world, on knowledge and humanity |
The US FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover, kept a 1,427 page file on his activities and recommended that he be barred from immigrating to the United States, alleging that Einstein "...believes in, advises, advocates, or teaches a doctrine which, in a legal sense, as held by the courts in other cases, 'would allow anarchy to stalk in unmolested' and result in 'government in name only'" | Were he alive today I have few doubts of what he would have to say about the erosion of civil discourse, the abandonment of scientific inquiry, the wholesale decimation of critical thinking |
Einstein opposed tyrannical forms of government and after World War II, Einstein lobbied for nuclear disarmament and a world government | Effectively, he has said it already | Here are some of his quotes:
We know him mostly for the famous equation, noted on the left | But the E=mc2 mathematician / philosopher Albert Einstein was also known as "The Hell-Raiser of Saranac Lake" thanks to his semi-reckless strafing
of the shores with his powerboat; creating large wakes and soaking all who were within range | He was, then, loveable prankster as well as an icon | 2 Einstein was also a humanitarian | I don't know if his having closely escaped from Nazi Germany's clutches was the impetus for his beliefs, but I no doubt played a part | He had a lot to say about the state of the world, on knowledge and humanity | The US FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover, kept a 1,427 page file on his activities and recommended that he be barred from immigrating to the United States, alleging that Einstein "...believes in, advises, advocates, or teaches a doctrine which, in a legal sense, as held by the courts in other cases, 'would allow anarchy to stalk in unmolested' and result in 'government in name only'" | Were he alive today I have few doubts of what he would have to say about the erosion of civil discourse, the abandonment of scientific inquiry, the wholesale decimation of critical thinking |
Einstein opposed tyrannical forms of government and after World War II, Einstein lobbied for nuclear disarmament and a world government | Effectively, he has said it already | Here are some of his quotes:
• Do not pride yourself on the few great men who, over the centuries, have been born on your earth through no merit of yours. Reflect, rather, on how you treated them at the time, and how you have followed their teachings.This year is the 50th anniversary of Einstein's passing | He died on 18 April 1955 at the age of 76 | He obtained his doctorate 100 years ago | 90 years ago the famous theorem on Relativity was published | This year is also an Einstein Centenary Celebration | Read more about Einstein
• It is a mistake often made in this country (USA) to measure things by the amount of money they cost.
• We are faced with the dismaying fact that the politicians, the practical men of affairs, have become the exponents of international ideas.
• Force always attracts men of low morality, and I believe it to be an invariable rule that tyrants of genius are succeeded by scoundrels.
• Democratic institutions and standards are the result of historic developments to an extent not always appreciated in the lands which enjoy them.
• It may affront the military-minded person to suggest a regime that does not maintain any military secrets.
• Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
• All of us who are concerned for peace and the triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field.
• One misses the elementary reaction against injustice and for justice - that reaction which in the long run represents Man's only protection against a relapse into barbarism.
• In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself.
• One is born into a herd of buffaloes and one must be glad if one is not trampled underfoot before one's time.
• One has been endowed with just enough intelligence to be able to see clearly how utterly inadequate that intelligence is when confronted with what exists. If such humility could be conveyed to everybody, the world of human activities would be more appealing.
THANKS TO: Stuart Savory |
¶ 15:02
