Re: Second rate programmers and my confession

If you can't explain something to a six year-old, you don't understand it yourself

Yeah, he also said at one moment that only 4 or 5 people in the world understood his general theory of relativity. I don't think Einstein meant he had explained his theory to the kids in the neighbourhood.

Would you think that Einstein himself didn't understand his theories?

Abigail

Comment on Re: Second rate programmers and my confession

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Re: Re: Second rate programmers and my confession by ignatz (Vicar) on Jun 06, 2002 at 14:24 UTC
I for one would love to hear Einstein explain his work to a six year old. It's the height of academic gaul to think that anyone "understands" how things work in the universe. Einstein went to his grave grasping at the true significance of his ideas. Just because you can express complex ideas does not mean that you understand all their implications or are above those who don't. If a person can't step back and explain what they are doing to another person then they need to reassess their work and how it relates to the rest of the world. Both Einstein and Steven Hawkins have been very capable of expressing their ideas in "plain" English. If you can't, you aren't as smart as you think. ADDED: Note, the "you" I'm refering to is a generic one, and not Abigail-II with whom I have nothing but the highest of respect for. ()-() \"/ `	[reply]
Re: Re: Second rate programmers and my confession by davis (Vicar) on Jun 06, 2002 at 14:36 UTC
I not saying Einstein would have explained his theories to neighbourhood kids either, but I think he was capable of expressing the ideas in language that the kids could understand. (ok, it would have taken some time :-) ). davis Is this going out live? No, Homer, very few cartoons are broadcast live - it's a terrible strain on the animator's wrist	[reply]