I'd like to say thank you for two items
PHYSICS TODAY has published recently: Don Howard's "Albert Einstein as a Philosopher of Science"
(December 2005, page 34) and Lee Smolin's "Why No 'New Einstein'?" (June 2005, page 56). Both of
these pieces have resonated with me.
As the recent recipient
of a bachelor's degree in physics, I read in these articles an encapsulation of my frustration with
my undergraduate experience. I came into physics expecting that creativity and independent thinking
would be celebrated virtues, but to my disappointment I learned that this was not the case. I came
to assume that the problem was my young idealistic naiveté. However, on reading Smolin's
and Howard's articles, I learned I was not alone in my early expectations. I now hope that during
my career I can contribute to and encourage a greater respect for creative and independent thought
in physics.
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