
Issue No 26		13 August 1999

Letters to the Editor

Some Views Of Einstein

"Private capitalists inevitably control, directly or indirectly, the main source of information (press, radio, education). It is thus extremely difficult, and indeed in most cases quite impossible, for the individual citizen to come to objective conclusions and to make intelligent use of political rights."

"Although I am a convinced democrat I know well that the human community would stagnate and even degenerate without a minority of socially conscious and upright men and women willing to make the sacrifices for their convictions. Under present circumstances that holds true to a higher degree than in normal times." 1954

* * *

"The most important human endeavour is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depends on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life. To make this a living force and bring it to clear consciousness is perhaps the foremost task of education."

* * *

"I can think of nothing more objectionable than the idea of science for scientists. It is almost as bad as art for the sake of artists and religion for priests."

* * *

On the mystery of the universe:-

"It is enough for me to divine and have a shot at this astonishing riddle, and humbly to grasp a small mental image of the sublime structure of that which exists."

* * *

"No one, it may be presumed, can deny the progress made in the realm of knowledge and in the field of technological invention; but we have experienced the disillusioning fact that all these advancements have not essentially alleviated the hardships of man's destiny; nor have they ennobled his actions."

He expressed his disappointment in the existing order in his famous letter. Placed in a capsule in the grounds of the New York Worlds Fair to be opened in the year 6939. :

"Our time is rich in inventive minds, the inventions of which could facilitate our lives considerably. We are crossing the seas by power and utilize power also in order to relieve humanity from all tiring muscular work. We have learned to fly and we are able to send messages and news without any difficulty over the entire world with electric waves.

However, the production and distribution of commodities is entirely unorganized, so that everybody must live in fear of being eliminated from the economic cycle, in the way suffering for the want of everything. Furthermore, people live in different countries kill each other at regular intervals so that also for this reason any one who thinks about the future must live in fear and terror.. I trust that posterity will read these statements with a feeling of proud and justified superiority."

* * *

"Natural occurrences seem to be so broadly determined that not but also even the initial state is broadly governed by law only the succession in time."

Ian Ferguson

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 26 contents

Republic: Looking Forward
With the Republic referendum threatening to run off the rails, supporters of an Australian Head of State need to reclaim the debate from the lawyers.

Interview: Chatting With Kate
Workers Online�s first ever Net night was held in the Yap chatroom this week. Labor IT spokeswoman Kate Lundy stepped up to the plate to talk Politics in a Wired World.

Unions: Simply the Best!
A major international study has ranked Australian seafarers the world's best.

Technology: Unions Log In to Online Yap
A Conference on Unions and Information Technology for the Australasian Region will be held in Melbourne: November 15-17.

History: Edmund Who?
John Passant lifts the veil on Our first Prime Minister, a bloke called Barton.

International: Turkish Miners' Leader Murdered
Semsi Denizer, President of the Turkish miners' union Genel Maden-Is, was shot dead outside his home last Friday evening.

Labour Review: What's New at the Organising Centre
Read the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's resource for students and activists.

Review: Working Class Boys
silverchair might have a new sound, but they�re part of a rich Australian music tradition.

» Workers to Star in Second Wave Rally

» Oakdale Injustice: Six Weeks Is All It Takes

» Chook War Widens - Woman Who Walked Wants Job Back

» Rural Council Workers Push to Quit ALP

» Push for Action on Millennium Leave Bug

» Pay Equity Inquiry Sidelined

» NRMA Candidates Address Union Concerns

» Ceiling Dust a Deadly Cocktail

» Sex Discrimination Head Warns Against Complacency

» DIR Launches Indigenous Employment Unit

» "Big Drum Up" For East Timor

» Eric Lee Public Forum

» STOP PRESS: Fire Bans Lifted But Dispute Not Over

» Guest Report

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Piers Watch

» Piers Fans Fires

» Some Views Of Einstein

» Group Homes Sell-Off Fears

» Privatisation Of Prince Of Wales Hospital Maintenance Department

» Call for Wage Freeze Action

Notice Board
- Check out the latest events

Latest Issue

View entire latest issue
- print all of the articles!

Previous Issues

Subject index

Search all issues

Workers Online - 2nd place Labourstart website of the year

LaborNET is a resource for the labour movement provided by the Labor Council of NSW

URL: http://workers.labor.net.au/26/letters1_einstein.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005

[ Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | Credits ]

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW