Pondering the larger issues of life makes for lively
thinking and discussion. At times they become imponderable. Multiple answers to
overlapping questions form on our lips and minds. And keep the discussion going
to where we don’t really know!
From time to time Albert Einstein pops to mind – a fellow of
enormous intellect, one who could unravel complex thought toward simple ideas
and rediscover truer meanings. The famed
physicist is quoted as having said:
“Everybody is a genius. But if
you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life
believing that it is stupid.”
Well that is a fresher view! Placing thoughts in odd places
makes us see more clearly. It is not the fish that is incapable of climbing a
tree that is the central point. It is that we judge another being on what it
cannot do and it reflects not on the other but on ourselves. Boom! The fish is
perfectly fine. It has its role in the universe. We have our role. Let us not
confuse the two.
Einstein was a scientist who pressed the boundaries of the
known world, the world we had in our minds and on paper, in books, all of our
combined knowledge and understanding of the universe. He was able to see beyond
what had been barriers to logic. He discovered new thought and laws of science.
He shared his knowledge so he could learn more, how to apply his discoveries in
more ways. Along this journey he taught many students to fresh edges of
brilliance in scientific discovery.
Albert Einstein was a generous person. He received help and
inputs from many, working on these things as fuel for fresh findings, and
shared what he learned with the rest of the world. A spirit of oneness with the
universe was his trademark. He did not view himself as an island.
Oh the rest of us felt he was unreachable because of his
intellectual might. He would not have said that, though. Here’s one thought that may have escape your
attention:
“I consider it important, indeed
urgently necessary, for intellectual workers to get together, both to protect
their own economic status and also, generally speaking, to secure their
influence in the political field.” – Albert Einstein, union member
You see Einstein saw himself as a worker in scientific
pursuits. It was a job to him. He applied his abilities to accomplishing
something – research, new knowledge, teaching material for students to ponder
and learn from – and to make something of the new knowledge. Over time these
discoveries led to many new inventions, whole new chapters of scientific
departments of study, new schools of thought, expanded military defense
initiatives, manufacturing materials and methods, you name it and Einstein was
part of the background of making those things possible. He and his cohorts. Not
alone but together in an ever changing amalgam of minds intent on discovering
the unknown.
This work he did, alone and with others, benefited mankind
enormously. And they deserved to be valued not manipulated by institutions or
employers. They were a team not a tool. A resource not a labor pool.
Einstein teamed his mind with others. He shared. He taught.
He brought fresh young minds along on the journey. And he enabled them to
journey on beyond his findings.
Today’s blog suggests the value of education, public works,
scientific method and sharing are linked, even inseparable. They seem to have
understood the big picture whether we always get it or not.
As the Dali Lama said:
“Our prime purpose in this life
is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
And that leads to another topic to cover another day!! But
they are related.
November 12, 2013
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