July

[Editor's Note: I would have had this in earlier, but I have been in Florida with limited internet, which made things a little harder; nevertheless, here it is...]

Let us assume you met a rudimentary magician. Let us assume he can do five simple tricks--he can pull a rabbit out of his hat, he can make a coin disappear, he can turn the ace of spades into the Joker card, and two others in a similar vein. These are his only tricks and he can't learn any more; he can only do these five. HOWEVER, it turns out he's doing these five tricks with real magic. It's not an illusion; he can actually conjure the bunny out of the ether and he can move the coin through space. He's legitimately magical, but extremely limited in scope and influence.Would this person be more impressive than Albert Einstein?


Many individuals have been described as extraordinary, influential, and brilliant in the past century, but collectively, these words easily describe one of the most significant people in recorded history: Albert Einstein. "His name is synonymous with genius and he's a recognizable celebrity even now, many years after his death. The contributions he made to science were far reaching and turned this introspective scientist into a legend" (Leong).Einstein was also known for his philosophical views and his opinions regarding politics, religion, and the arts. Consequently, even with the ability to utilize “real magic”, a simple magician who only can perform five tricks, could not have as much influence on culture as the prominent figure that was Einstein. Therefore, Albert Einstein would be considered more impressive, not only because of his brilliance and contributions to the scientific world, but also because of his significant scope and major influence world-wide in the realms of politics and philosophy.

Einstein’s early and young adult life reminds one that Albert Einstein was a real person; he was not a being unlike us, even with his advanced mind. Unable to “fluently speak until he was almost nine years old”, Albert “did not like school and would often cut classes so he could study physics on his own or play the violin” (Leong, B.). Later in life, he seemed to “have….a problem with monogamy, perceiving all marriages as ‘dangerous’. His dalliances with women other than his wives are well documented” (Leong). So, even though his brilliance may form a disconnection between Einstein and ourselves, he was still a human being with hopes, feelings, and fears, which makes his feats and accomplishments in life all the more impressive.

Einstein proved his genius in mathematics and science countless times with his theories and ideas regarding modern science. “Einstein's researches are, of course, well chronicled and his more important works include Special Theory of Relativity (1905), Relativity (English translations, 1920 and 1950), General Theory of Relativity (1916), Investigations on Theory of Brownian Movement (1926), and The Evolution of Physics (1938)…” (Albert Einstein: Nobel Peace Prize in Physics 1921). “Albert Einstein received honorary doctorate degrees in science, medicine and philosophy from many European and American universities. During the 1920's he lectured in Europe, America and the Far East and he was awarded Fellowships or Memberships of all the leading scientific academies throughout the world. He gained numerous awards in recognition of his work, including the Copley Medal of the Royal Society of London in 1925, and the Franklin Medal of the Franklin Institute in 1935” (Albert Einstein: Nobel Peace Prize in Physics 1921).These experiments, papers, and lectures have contributed a great deal to our understanding and extent of our knowledge of modern physics.

Einstein’s political views were evident early in his adult life and were a large part of his contributions to the public’s viewpoint. “At the start of the Second World War, Einstein quickly left Germany for the United States, in fear of Hitler’s reign” (B.), a decision made by many other Germans soon after. “After World War II, Einstein was a leading figure in the World Government Movement; he was offered the Presidency of the State of Israel, which he declined…”, proving that not only were Einstein’s political opinions and ideas weighed on an international level, but they were also favored by many (Albert Einstein: Nobel Peace Prize in Physics 1921).

Einstein’s work on the atomic bomb was also controversial politically. Although it would be a great advancement in molecular science, many feared could lead to such turmoil the Earth would not be able to withstand its force. Einstein also feared the power of the Atomic bomb, saying, “The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem. It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one.” President Roosevelt was greatly influenced by Einstein in his decisions regarding the study and development of the bomb, which may have changed how history transpired during that time.

Philosophically, Albert Einstein had the ability to compress profound thoughts into simpler terms and “relate to minds simpler than his own” (Leong). These thoughts concerned many aspects of existence: knowledge, teaching, love, human interaction, the arts, religion, the universe, or his own scientific theories and ideas. Einstein was able to explain his theory of relativity by simply stating, “You sit on a hot stove for two minutes, and it feels like two hours; you sit with a pretty girl for two hours, and it seems like two minutes. That’s relativity.” The ability to verbalize these ideas into uncomplicated, often humorous terms allowed the masses to appreciate, and be very much influenced by, Einstein’s theories and beliefs.

These quotations and thoughts have also been known to make frequent appearances in society today. They are repeatedly found in our cultural means of expression: clothing, posters, coffee mugs, computer mouse pads, graffiti, and the like. Illustrated perfectly by the attention still paid to his teachings, Einstein is obviously still a driving force in society even after his death, which is a great feat in itself.

In comparison, a magician who can only perform five tricks could not influence humanity in so many ways. This man of magic could easily be compared to a blind individual driving a car. The sightless person could physically manage the feat of basic driving, but their abilities would be extremely limited without the capability to see where they are or what is happening around them; they most likely could not manage an excursion without incident. Similarly, the magician could perform his tricks, but his abilities would be so hindered by his blindness of how the tricks are truly accomplished and why he can make such things happen, or proverbially, where he was driving on the road. He could not “drive” anywhere by himself to make any lasting impressions without adding a few more cheap tricks and illusions to his arsenal of five. Therefore, the magician’s scope and influence are nearly nonexistent, making him, at most, an individual with a unique, but trivial ability.

Albert Einstein influenced history scientifically, politically, and philosophically. This rudimentary magician could not influence anything more than the entertainment at children’s birthday parties or the opening for a show in Las Vegas. This magician could never win awards for his genius, influence international politics, or even inadvertently change the course of history itself. He could, at most, be admired for his given ability to influence space and molecules on a very small scale. Thus, Albert Einstein’s teachings, contributions to science, and abilities are far more impressive than a magician with very limited scope and influence. As Einstein himself said, “It is right in principle that those should be the best loved who have contributed most to the elevation of the human race and human life” (B.)



Bibliography


"Albert Einstein." Wikipedia 26 July 2009 Web.21 Jul 2009. .

"Albert Einstein: Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921." Les Prix Nobel, Nobel Lectures 1967 Web.22 Jul 2009. .

Leong M.D., Kristie. "8 Little Known Albert Einstein Facts & Trivia!." Associated Content 28 June 2007 1-2. Web.28 Jul 2009. .

Moncur, Michael. "Albert Einstein Quotes." QuotationsPage.com 1994-2007 Web.27 Jul 2009. .


B., W.. "Albert Einstein." History and Thought of Western Man 23 April 2003 Web.29 Jul 2009. .