This item was briefly on Google’s news page this morning:
Roundup: Germany wants more innovation as it commemorates Einstein
BERLIN, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet)– A year of activities to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the passing away of physicist Albert Einstein started Wednesday in Germany amid hopes that the commemoration will strengthen Germany’s innovative spirit. ?
Germany has a long history as a nation of innovation and invention and has played a leading role in many fields like machinery production, engineering and chemistry. But the country, which has long prided itself on being the homeland of some of the world’s most outstanding philosophers and scientists, is becoming less attractive to innovative people in recent years.
How ironic that Germany honors the innovative spirit of Einstein, wants more like him, but strenuously?opposes the way he was taught:
Although he got generally good grades (and was outstanding in mathematics), Einstein hated the academic high school he was sent to in Munich, where success depended on memorization and obedience to arbitrary authority. His real studies were done at home with books on mathematics, physics, and philosophy. A teacher suggested Einstein leave school, since his very presence destroyed the other students’ respect for the teacher.
Go figure.
