- #1
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If you could ask Einstein one question what would it be?
Ask Einstein: What Would You Like to Know?
- Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
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Discussion Overview
The thread explores hypothetical questions participants would pose to Albert Einstein, covering a range of personal, philosophical, and scientific inquiries. The scope includes personal reflections, theoretical physics, and societal implications of his work.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express curiosity about Einstein's personal life, asking questions like why he made fun of Gödel or how he viewed his own intelligence.
- Others propose questions related to scientific theories, such as inquiries about quantum gravity, string theory, and the implications of extra dimensions.
- Several participants raise philosophical questions, including the meaning of life and Einstein's beliefs about God.
- Humorous or light-hearted questions are also presented, such as asking about his biggest blunder or why he never combed his hair.
- One participant references the AdS/CFT duality in string theory and questions its relevance to the real world, citing a critique from Abhay Ashtekar.
- There are repeated inquiries about time travel, with multiple participants asking how Einstein might have traveled forward in time to 2017.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the type of questions to ask, with a variety of personal, scientific, and humorous inquiries presented. The discussion remains open-ended and exploratory.
Contextual Notes
Some questions reflect personal curiosity while others delve into complex scientific theories, indicating a range of interests and assumptions about Einstein's legacy and contributions.
Who May Find This Useful
Readers interested in the intersection of personal insights and scientific inquiry, as well as those curious about Einstein's impact on both physics and society.
- #2
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What is it, that you always make fun of Gödel?
(Probably not the kind of question meant to be, but it's really the one I would ask. Something personal.)
(Probably not the kind of question meant to be, but it's really the one I would ask. Something personal.)
- #3
Ddddx
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what is the meaning of life?
- #4
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I'd learn something about quantum gravity theories. Then I'd ask something insightful about his views on them. You're going to have to give me notice on this one...
- #5
ironidas
I suppose I will ask him something like.. What is the most important question of your existence ? Something like that. 
- #6
dkotschessaa
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"Many consider you the icon of genius. What is your assessment of your own intelligence?"
- #7
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How come you were such a lousy husband and father ?
- #8
russ_watters
Mentor
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Have you met him and does he play dice?
- #9
aheight
- 318
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Do you believe in God?
- #10
julian
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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What was your second biggest blunder? For example have you ever farted in an empty elevator only for other people to walk in a moment later?
Last edited:
- #11
Andy SV
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Why did you let god into your science
- #12
Zephyr007
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What do you want to say to society today?
- #13
Farang
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Not sure, depends... If I met the man face-to-face, I'd get so excited, probably end up asking something irrelevant and regret later :)
- #14
Evo
Staff Emeritus
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What is your biggest regret?
- #15
jedishrfu
Mentor
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What do you think about String Theory?
- #16
RonL
Gold Member
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You helped build a refrigerator, would you help me build a Maxwell's Demon machine ?? 
- #17
mpresic
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How did you travel forward in time to 2017?
- #18
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Hey, he's only 138.mpresic said:
- #19
jedishrfu
Mentor
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Maybe we could interview GeofreyRush since he's playing Einstein in the new National Geographic documentary.
http://www.channelguidemag.com/tv-n...lays-a-deliciously-human-einstein-on-nat-geo/
counterpoint:
http://www.salon.com/2017/04/24/not...es-isnt-as-great-as-the-grand-idea-behind-it/
http://www.channelguidemag.com/tv-n...lays-a-deliciously-human-einstein-on-nat-geo/
counterpoint:
http://www.salon.com/2017/04/24/not...es-isnt-as-great-as-the-grand-idea-behind-it/
- #20
XZ923
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I'd ask him why he never combed his hair. Anything else he might have to say would probably be way over my head so there would be no point in asking.
- #21
julian
Science Advisor
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You liked the idea of extra dimensions, then you rejected the idea, then string theory came along requiring extra dimensions - what now?
String theory people put forward the AdS/CFT duality as a "success" at attempting a non-pertrubative forumulation, however Abhay Ashtekar says: "But here, in AdS/CFT duality, they need the radius of the internal dimensions to be the same as the cosmological radius. If so, if I try to look up I should see these ten dimensions; I don’t. So, it can’t have much to do with the real world that we actually live in."
How do you feel about this?
String theory people put forward the AdS/CFT duality as a "success" at attempting a non-pertrubative forumulation, however Abhay Ashtekar says: "But here, in AdS/CFT duality, they need the radius of the internal dimensions to be the same as the cosmological radius. If so, if I try to look up I should see these ten dimensions; I don’t. So, it can’t have much to do with the real world that we actually live in."
How do you feel about this?
- #22
deskswirl
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Which is your true love: classical music or physics?
- #23
EnumaElish
Science Advisor
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Follow up, "which fast spaceship"? Or, "gravity well, where"? Depending on the context.mpresic said:
More seriously, how did you deal with the initial rejection of, or indifference toward your theories?
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