Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-21
|E|NSTE|N WRONG
ABOUT AMERICANS
BY KENNETH W. PAYNE,
Editor Of Popular Science Monthly

BY KENNETH W. PAYNE,
Editor Of Popular Science Monthly
NEW YORK.-Einstein is wrong.
Not about relatively. but about the
American public. American scien-
lists say so.
Einstein has been quoted in cabled
dispatches as saying that we were a
nation Of lowbrows and that our
scientific life didn't compare with
Europe s-this observation being
based on his recent visit to this
country.
Einstein's outburst has caused a
storm among American men of sci
ence. l have these communications
from some of them:
by Thomas A. Edison
It is probable that Einstein never
Sgave the alleged interview just pub
#lished. If he did. he should be ex-
cused on the ground that ultra
mathematical minds are wholly i'm
Epractical. Most of them should have
Wallets to prevent them from being
rum over by automobiles.
BY Michael 7. Pupin
My first impression is that Elm
Estein has been misquoted. If not he
misunderstanding criticized Ameri-
can life and science from the view
point of the continental European.
1t really is nonsense to compare
a the science of America with that Of
Europe, but not in the sense DR..
Einstein implies. Europe's roads and
3telegraphs are completed. we live In
q o country only partially developed,
kand our national problems of trans
Sportation and communication force
THE American scientist to spend most
Af his time in practical engineering
development. III which we lead the
world. 1t would not be right for an
american to investigate such COM
sparatively impractical theory as rela-
&tivity.
The American public has an in
sinitely greater interest in science
than that of Europe.
BY M. %. Hutchinson
Greatest credit should go to the
scientist who makes an invention
available for the use Of the world,
land in this field American engineers
land inventors are supreme. Theorists
hike Einstein look down on the prac-
The general average of scientific
is higher ink America
than in continental Europe.
BY Prof. John J. Cass
Efnstein undoubtedly came more
Ia contact with sensation lovers than
the large section Of the American
bubble which mas a genuine interest
In science. 1t is true that the aver
|age audience of visiting men OF
7science have more enthusiasm than
understanding.
He has almost certainly been ms
|uuoted regarding the comparative
merits of American and European
BY HUDSON MAXIM
I agree with Einstein regarding
1.-The relatively of American men,
women and puppy dogs. -,u.. +ba+
1.-The incomprehensibility of his thoe-
|ries made the strongest appeal 70
Americans.
Europe does not, however, lead us
lin science, invention or discovery;
In American esteem because Amer
|fcans dearly love what 1s genulnely
Imported, whether it be nobIemen,
merchandise. art, science, or mon
key. WAN
crate most what they least under
stand.
aY fRvING FISHER
7 think that probably Einstetn was
hone SO. T am sure he did not mean
10 aslann" American men OF science,
for while IN America he spoke IN the
highest terms of them.
In a brief talk had with Einstein
me said that he was puzzled TO ex-
plain the popular interest In America
IA his theories. My own view is that
this interest comes from a genuine
scientific curiosity among the gen
raj American public regarding the
Fundamentals is nature. Such a
deep interest is sure to be displayed
whenever the public is given access
to the results of scientific study
through adequate publicity such as
was Afforded in this instance.
Doubtless the average American IS
net as we'll educated on relatlxity
or ON science in general as are Elm
stems students and his home public
because education there is more gen
eral than it is here; but our native
Interest in science is just as keen or
keener.