Saturday, March 14, 2009

If this dude had trouble in math, there's really no hope for me

Today in 1879, this guy:

was born in Germany.

I appreciate his contribution to the field of physics, but since I don't understand physics, here's a bunch of things he said that I get a kick out of.

Like his observations of the way we are:
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

"Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love? Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity."

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

Or one that appeals to me especially in the midst of a spring break that will be filled with midterms studying and essay-writing:
"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education."

And the significance of creativity:
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

"Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking."

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity."

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