[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Hi! > > ... - I'm not a fanatic physicist, but do know > that the point of Einstein's relativity theory is that the speed of light is > constant (i.e., /not/ relative), and I'm generally tired of cases of science > reduced to some nice-sounding crap. > ... > > Do anybody else agree with me? :-) > Actually, I do. The concept of relativity goes back to Gallileo (the mathematical device for converting from one frame of reference to another is called a "Gallilean transform"). The key insight of Einstein's theories is the identification of WHAT IT IS that every- thing else is relative to. I have read that Einstein considered calling his theory "The Theory of Absolutes" precisely because the central issue is that the speed of light (and NOT some priveleged spacetime coordinate system) is the absolute for the issues he was investigating. Enough rant. The real point is that the phrase "everything is relative" has been so abused by our short-attention-span popular culture that many thoughtful people of my acquaintance find it annoying or distasteful. By analogy, the concept of separation of authority between federal and local government is fundamental to the U.S. Constitution. However, the phrase "states' rights" became so thoroughly associated with a particular position -- opposition to the civil rights movement -- that its connotations outweigh its literal meaning and it has almost disappeared from common use. Just my $0.02; now back to hacking REBOL... -jn-
