Theory of relativity

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Albert Einstein's genius was so unique that his name has become synonymous with intelligence par excellence. The story is told, whether true or not, that on one occasion Einstein was on a lecture tour from university to university where he discussed his theory of relativity. Einstein did not drive, so he had a chauffeur who drove him from place to place. As they were driving along one day the chauffeur said to the brilliant scientist, "You know, I've heard this lecture so many times now that I could give it myself." Einstein accepted the challenge. "The people at the next university have never seen me," said Einstein, "so they won't know who I am. You put on my clothes and I'll wear your uniform and cap. You introduce me as your chauffeur and I will introduce you as Dr Einstein." Everything went according to plan. The chauffeur delivered the speech on relativity flawlessly. Einstein, sitting at the back of the lecture hall, enjoyed it immensely. Then, something happened that the two had not planned on. The moderator said, "We have fifteen more minutes, just enough time for some of you to ask Dr. Einstein a question." A mathematics professor asked a complicated, technical question involving mathematical formulas and language the chauffeur did not understand. Lacking the intellectual knowledge, he nevertheless had the practical wisdom to get out of the jam, for he responded to the question like this: "Sir, the solution to that problem is so simple that I am really surprised you would even ask me to answer it. Anybody can answer that simple question. To prove it, I am going to have my chauffeur come up and answer it!"

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