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 12 months ago
Who could imagine more than Einstein? He never meet Trump.
Rhetorical_Question 12 months ago
Knowledge is finite and imagination has no limits!
Ceeg22 Premium Member 12 months ago
Mrs Einstein
steveh64 12 months 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 12 months ago
I imagine more than I know. I also know more than I understand. Lost in imagination. Not so much lost in thought.
ddjg 12 months ago
Let’s see, J. S. Bach, Hector Berlioz . .
derrelldurrett Premium Member 12 months 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 12 months ago
He is imagining lighters?
DaBump Premium Member 12 months ago
Meh. Einstein is overrated. He’s become an icon of intelligence far beyond his genius, impressive as that was.
Jeffin Premium Member 12 months ago
He invented the Zippo lighter? Imagine that!
rugeirn 12 months 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 12 months ago
Caldwell is imagining a clown??!? How does that relate to Einstein?
Ignatz Premium Member 12 months ago
Maybe. Zippo was supposedly the funniest Marx Brother when he wasn’t performing.
T Smith 12 months ago
Zeppo? He wasn’t even the funniest brother.
poppacapsmokeblower 12 months ago
Zippo? I was thinking Groucho, Harpo, and Chico. They were imaginative.
eced52 12 months ago
or Zeppo.
Richard S Russell Premium Member 12 months 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 12 months ago
“There is nothing on Earth to compare with pure imagination.” Anthony Newley
Charlie Tuba 12 months ago
Newton could! He created calculus on a dare in his early 20s.
MissionLDB 12 months ago
I just thought Zippo made their lighters with many imaginative images engraved.