Einstein’s work started with his “thought experiments”, like when he imagined what would happen if one could actually travel at the speed of light. This eventually led (after years of work) to his General Theory of Relativity. But he never did any actual experiments like other physicists; his work was entirely in the use of his mind.
What’s fascinating to me about Einstein, as a physicist, is that Einstein is famous among physicists for his lack of imagination about the nature of quantum mechanics, despite the fact that his Nobel Prize was awarded for work that functionally kicked off the quantum mechanical revolution (a description of the photoelectric effect, which requires accepting some very fundamentally quantum mechanical features of reality, which are things that were not universally accepted when he proposed them).
“The more you know, the more you can imagine.”- Frank C. Rutledge, Chairman, Dept. of Theater, Michigan State University.
Einstein knew a great deal about physics, and thereby could imagine a great deal about it. Other than that, his knowledge and ideas were typical of a well-educated liberal-minded person of his time, including racist, xenophobic and misogynistic ones. His fame as a scientist gave him a classic “bully pulpit”.
Einstein was brilliant in a particular field of study. He may well have been a total dunce about, say, crocheting or how to vulcanize rubber or effective use of counterpoint in musical composition. One observation I ran across a couple of years ago that I’ve since had many opportunities to pass along is: “Absolutely everybody is absolutely ignorant about almost everything.”
Bilan about 1 year ago
Who could imagine more than Einstein? He never meet Trump.
Rhetorical_Question about 1 year ago
Knowledge is finite and imagination has no limits!
Ceeg22 Premium Member about 1 year ago
Mrs Einstein
steveh64 about 1 year ago
Einstein’s work started with his “thought experiments”, like when he imagined what would happen if one could actually travel at the speed of light. This eventually led (after years of work) to his General Theory of Relativity. But he never did any actual experiments like other physicists; his work was entirely in the use of his mind.
goboboyd about 1 year ago
I imagine more than I know. I also know more than I understand. Lost in imagination. Not so much lost in thought.
ddjg about 1 year ago
Let’s see, J. S. Bach, Hector Berlioz . .
derrelldurrett Premium Member about 1 year ago
What’s fascinating to me about Einstein, as a physicist, is that Einstein is famous among physicists for his lack of imagination about the nature of quantum mechanics, despite the fact that his Nobel Prize was awarded for work that functionally kicked off the quantum mechanical revolution (a description of the photoelectric effect, which requires accepting some very fundamentally quantum mechanical features of reality, which are things that were not universally accepted when he proposed them).
DM2860 about 1 year ago
He is imagining lighters?
DaBump Premium Member about 1 year ago
Meh. Einstein is overrated. He’s become an icon of intelligence far beyond his genius, impressive as that was.
Jeffin Premium Member about 1 year ago
He invented the Zippo lighter? Imagine that!
rugeirn about 1 year ago
“The more you know, the more you can imagine.”- Frank C. Rutledge, Chairman, Dept. of Theater, Michigan State University.
Einstein knew a great deal about physics, and thereby could imagine a great deal about it. Other than that, his knowledge and ideas were typical of a well-educated liberal-minded person of his time, including racist, xenophobic and misogynistic ones. His fame as a scientist gave him a classic “bully pulpit”.
Rotary12 Premium Member about 1 year ago
Caldwell is imagining a clown??!? How does that relate to Einstein?
Ignatz Premium Member about 1 year ago
Maybe. Zippo was supposedly the funniest Marx Brother when he wasn’t performing.
T Smith about 1 year ago
Zeppo? He wasn’t even the funniest brother.
poppacapsmokeblower about 1 year ago
Zippo? I was thinking Groucho, Harpo, and Chico. They were imaginative.
eced52 about 1 year ago
or Zeppo.
Richard S Russell Premium Member about 1 year ago
Einstein was brilliant in a particular field of study. He may well have been a total dunce about, say, crocheting or how to vulcanize rubber or effective use of counterpoint in musical composition. One observation I ran across a couple of years ago that I’ve since had many opportunities to pass along is: “Absolutely everybody is absolutely ignorant about almost everything.”
sergioandrade Premium Member about 1 year ago
“There is nothing on Earth to compare with pure imagination.” Anthony Newley
Charlie Tuba about 1 year ago
Newton could! He created calculus on a dare in his early 20s.
MissionLDB about 1 year ago
I just thought Zippo made their lighters with many imaginative images engraved.