An
Interview with Albert Einstein
by
Sheri Grutz
Mr.
Einstein, you have lived and traveled all over the world, why did you
decide to become a resident of the United States?
War.
Europe was divided. But you must remember there were not too many
Jews in colleges in America when I was lecturing and teaching, all
the while I did my part to save over a thousand Jewish scientists
souls in Germany, I did feel like an outsider here, but felt the
Americans were the most cheerful and positive force to make my stay.
Talk
about your faith for a moment. You've said you consider yourself an
agnostic, is that still true?
I
was wrong about that.
One
of the few times you've been wrong?
I've
been wrong many times. I've nearly failed out of colleges on many
occasions in certain subjects. I've been on panels with philosophers
who have put me to shame.
What
is the greatest award you ever received?
Too
many to name. But at one point, you must understand, I wanted to
just live my life, consult with others, even did so with the
president, and I did not want to be honored or giving so many
lectures and speeches. I appreciate all of it, but truly it got to
be too much.
In
your personal life, you have a son with schizophrenia. Tell us how
that impacted you.
The
illness has come a long way. At the time, we did not have solid ways
of treating it, so my son was intstitutionalized. The greatest thing
happened while he was there, he taught himself to play piano. He was
a great young man, and lifted the spirits of those around him.
Speaking
of which, you taught yourself to play the violin, is that right?
I
took lessons at a young age, but was turned off. I picked up again
in my late teens, yes, I was a dedicated learner. I've often thought
if I hadn't excelled in mathematics, I would have been a musician.
Coming
back today, you make no bones about the fact that you want peace and
justice for the Palestinians. How do you think that should happen?
Plurocratic
governments have pitted brother against brother of their faiths and
lands, and I think it is about time to lay down the weapons and give
the Palestinians their sovereign state. It would be much better to
have peace police, look, we're talking about religion, there should
be no killing there at all.
Hmm.
Many of us would like to know if your wife collaborated on certain
papers you've done. Is it true or not?
Absolutely
not. She was a learned woman, by no means, but the computation just
wasn't there. I'm afraid I influenced her to try to be more like me,
which happens often in relationships, many times in child/parent
relationships, but the only main thing she did was the typing.
You've
been honored by the African American community for your views on
racism, saying it's the ugliest thing about society. What are your
thoughts on White Supremacy today?
Any
color, creed, race, disability, sex or religion can use his or her
brain and ability to benefit society, it's just a matter of growing,
nuturing, find your niche. It seems that White Supremacy is based
loosely of non-thinking set of principles that don't add up in the
end to a true picture of human beings.
You
will forever be known for E=mc squared, is that okay with you?
Yes,
I was a very young man with that formula, and probably did my best
work in my 20's and 30's. The encouragement I got in academia and
being able to pursue my studies at my own pace really set the rest of
my life for exploring more and more.
So
it's good to know all the answers?
I
don't have all the answers, but you can prove your theories, and then
become known for them.
Do
you think there will ever be another Albert Einstein the way we know
of you today?
Certainly,
there's already many of them. The engineering degree and mathematics
is still one of the hardest and best to get. I'm thrilled when young
girls say their favorite subject is math.
Do
you think you've taught us all how to use our brains to the fullest?
I
hope so. But sometimes it's as easy as putting two and two together.
It's been a century of great discovery. I wouldn't have wanted to
live in another.
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