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donate Summary for Gegenworte 15 (2005)
Disputing
The 15th volume of Gegenworte deals not with Einstein, but with the hype and ubiquitous promotion strategies that have become visible during Einsteinjahr 2005, a science festival in Germany celebrating the 100th anniversary of Einstein's sweeping discoveries. The event as such comes up with strange enough things: apart from various exhibitions and conferences held all over the country, Einstein's quotations also decorate official buildings in Berlin – as well as taxis, carpets, and sweets wrappers. Under the title "EINSTEINereien, EINSTEINitis, VerEINSTEINerungen", authors of all disciplines, experts in the arts and natural sciences, practitioners, and mere observers, question and comment on this way of presenting science.
Is imagination – or, in the German translation, Phantasie – indeed more important than knowledge, as Einstein is frequently quoted as saying? Is it possible to arouse interest in science by means of impressive pictures? Now that the Einsteinjahr has been officially opened, is it not about time to think of how to end it adequately? How much do we view Einstein as a saint although he opposed any fuss about himself? Or does he rather represent an "over-celebrated" anti-hero? Which role does Einstein the Jew play – who left Berlin as soon as Hitler took over – in Germany's making amends for the atrocities of the Third Reich? And does it really make sense to romanticize Einstein's alleged childishness and proclaim queer Einstein as an innovative model for today's science?
This issue also looks at the fact that Einstein's ideas have already been dealt with in literature before, and it takes a look into the presentation of light in modern paintings. Additionally, exhibition designers and marketing experts allow insight into their work concerning Einsteinjahr 2005.
Published 2005-06-06
Original in English
Contributed by Gegenworte
© Gegenworte
© Eurozine
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