LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Einstein and Company
To the Editors:
I commend Tony Rothman for "Lost in Einstein's Shadow"
(Marginalia, March-April). The pursuit of science is a
grand endeavor, but as in any human enterprise, egos and passions
frequently play a significant role. Although most scientists
probably adhere to the rules of fair play, meaning they readily
acknowledge the work of others in determining much of their own
progress, there are always a few that do not, or do so only
partially. The case of Einstein is perhaps the most egregious, and
most of his public persona has been generated by a fawning press
that did not care to look deeply at some of the sources of his
ideas. I admire Dr. Rothman's courage in tackling such a major,
iconic figure, one that in most people's minds seems to be behind
nearly every scientific and engineering achievement of the past century.
Zen Antoniak
Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory
Richland, WA