Being more human

I wanted to conclude my reading on the book, Albert Einstein The Human Side. The question he raised, not only of relativity, but also of the human condition is still relevant to our present day.

From the little that I have read about the Shanghai World Expo, it seems to be overrated, overpriced and not as overwhelming as it should be.

According to The Hong Kong Economic Journal. Most Chinese province pavilions were about the success of local governance, the construction of roads and erection of buildings. While countries such as New Zealand, Luxemberg, Denmark and Thailand take their points of view from the bottom up, starting with the individuals.
The Thailand pavilion in particular had a phrase that I think all people, especially those living in the city should ponder, 'If you ask us what is most important, the answer is human, it will always be human'.

But being human does not entail simply material or technological comforts, Einstein placed it very nicely that 'our time is distinguished by wonderful achievements in the fields of scientific understanding and the technical application of those insights. Who would not be cheered by this? But lets us not forget that knowledge and skills alone cannot lead humanity to a happy and dignified life. Humanity has every reason to place the proclaimers of high moral standards and values above the discoverers of objective truth. What humanity owes to personalities like Buddha, Moses, and Jesus ranks for me higher than all the achievements of the inquiring and constructive mind.
What these blessed men have given us we must guard and try to keep alive with all our strength if humanity is not to lose its dignity, the security of its existence, and its joy in living'.

With the little knowledge I have with regards to the questions of morals and humanity. This I hold true to, that the 'study and in general the pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives'.

I have been fortunate enough to meet an amazing teacher who has also been child-like in his pursuit to truth and beauty. He is my Einstein. Although our paths may not cross in the future. His kindness and eagerness to spread his knowledge amongst young people remain an inspiration that I will not forget.

When Einstein died in Princeton on 18 April 1955. Cornelius Lanczos, a friend of his sent Einstein's daughter Margot the following words:

...One feels that such a man lives forever, in the sense that a man like Beethoven can never die. But there is something forever lost: his sheer joy of living, which was so much a part of his being. It is hard to realise that this man, so unbelievably modest and unassuming, abides with us here no longer. He was aware of the unique role that Fate had bestowed on him, and aware, too, of his greatness. But precisely because this greatness was so towering, it made him modest and humble - not as a pose, but as an inner necessity....

More than anything, my great friend, mentor, teacher has taught me to be more human. And I thank him for that.