Letter 6 Did you see the recent television programme on Einstein's
E=MC2 We all know energy is matter, It's common sense. For example, I used to love watching cowboy films when I was about fourteen or fifteen (still do). When a stick of dynamite exploded with a flash as part of the action on screen it make me think that if I squeezed the flash black together again I'd end up with the original stick of dynamite. So, it's obvious that energy is matter. But why C2? ('C'onstancy of light in Vacuo.) But we exist in a three-dimensional universe - up, down and sideways! So, shouldn't C2 be C3? Andrew (my adopted son) made a delightfully incisive comment the other day. He said "When you're satisfied you stop thinking." Obvious when you pause to think. But how often do we pause for common sense? It was 'common sense' for me to glide down the stairs in our council house when I was about fifteen. There was no banister to slide down. (I always thought walking up and down stairs a waste of time.) So, I'd stand at the top with feet together and glide down without touching the treads. My father caught me the third time I descended in such a manner. The look of astonishment in his face changed immediately to "you come down the stairs like everyone else" I did from that day on. (Excuse my writing. No table. I sit on the edge of my bed with the writing pad on my knee.) This letter will be the last! Photocopy. I'm being snowed under with paper. I trust no future corespondence goes astray. I will discuss physics, even metaphysics. Einstein: "Metaphysics is simply one step beyond physics." But I will not enter into a pointless discussion on religion. You admit to being a Christian. Well read about Mithras, the deity of ancient Persia, birthday December 25th; "last supper" with a bread and wine sacrement; on third day rose from the dead, etc. My opinion on religion and all those other nutty beliefs? Father Christmas for grown ups. JW PS Don't forget C2 back to homepage |