Re: BBC analogies

[Jose Julio Rozental <joseroze@netvision.net.il>]

Dear Mike, and colleagues, that have commented this issue.



With due respect these analogies look like the anecdote of Albert Einstein

and his blind friend



This story shows how complex Einstein could be. Not long after his arrival

in Princeton he was invited, by the wife of one of the professors of

mathematics at Princeton, to be guest of honor at a tea. Reluctantly,

Einstein consented. After the tea had progressed for a time, the excited

hostess, thrilled to have such an eminent guest of honor, fluttered out into

the center of activity and with raised arms silenced the group. Bubbling out

some words expressing her thrill and pleasure, she turned to Einstein and

said:



"I wonder, Dr. Einstein, if you would be so kind as to explain to my guests

in a few words, just what is relativity theory ? "



Without any hesitation Einstein rose to his feet and told a story. He said

he was reminded of a walk he one day had with his blind friend. The day was

hot and he turned to the blind friend and said,

"I wish I had a glass of milk."

"Glass," replied the blind friend, "I know what that is. But what do you

mean by milk ?"

"Why, milk is a white fluid," explained Einstein.

"Now fluid, I know what that is," said the blind man. "but what is white ?"

"Oh, white is the color of a swan's feathers."

"Feathers, now I know what they are, but what is a swan ?"

"A swan is a bird with a crooked neck."

"Neck, I know what that is, but what do you mean by crooked ?"

At this point Einstein said he lost his patience. He seized his blind

friend's arm and pulled it straight. "There, now your arm is straight," he

said. Then he bent the blind friend's arm at the elbow. "Now it is crooked."



"Ah," said the blind friend. "Now I know what milk is."

And Einstein, at the tea, sat down.



Jose

joseroze@netvision.net.il

Israel