Some Pictures From Today. The Weather Was Absolutely Beautiful; The Sun, Warm And Felt Rejuvenated Even

ALBERT EINSTEIN AND ACADEMIA

The Liberty of Doctrine—Á Propos of the Gumbel Case

ACADEMIC CHAIRS ARE MANY, but wise and noble teachers are few; lecture-rooms are numerous and large, but the number of young people who genuinely thirst after truth and justice is small. Nature scatters her common wares with a lavish hand, but the choice sort she produces but seldom.

We all know that, so why complain? Was it not ever thus and will it not ever thus remain? Certainly, and one must take what Nature gives as one finds it. But there is also such a thing as a spirit of the times, an attitude of mind characteristic of a particular generation, which is passed on from individual to individual and gives a society its particular tone. Each of us has to do his little bit towards transforming this spirit of the times.

Compare the spirit which animated the youth in our universities a hundred years ago with that prevailing to-day. They had faith in the amelioration of human society, respect for every honest opinion, the tolerance for which our classics had lived and fought. In those days men strove for a larger political unity, which at that time was called Germany. It was the students and the teachers at the universities who kept these ideals alive.

To-day also there is an urge towards social progress, towards tolerance and freedom of thought, towards a larger political unity, which we to-day call Europe. But the students at our universities have ceased as completely as their teachers to enshrine the hopes and ideals of the nation. Anyone who looks at our times coolly and dispassionately must admit this.

We are assembled to-day to take stock of ourselves. The external reason for this meeting is the Gumbel case. This apostle of justice has written about unexpiated political crimes with devoted industry, high courage, and exemplary fairness, and has done the community a signal service by his books. And this is the man whom the students, and a good many of the staff, of his university are to-day doing their best to expel.

Political passion cannot be allowed to go to such lengths. I am convinced that every man who reads Herr Gumbel’s books with an open mind will get the same impression from them as I have. Men like him are needed if we are ever to build up a healthy political society. Let every man judge according to his own standards, by what he has himself read, not by what others tell him. If that happens, this Gumbel case, after an unedifying beginning, may still do good.

I’ve been collecting the quotes from celestial tea

Confessions from a Chemistry Academic

I was thinking about the scientists from the scientific revolution the other day. And I wonder what drove their passion for science. I am guessing it's their thirst to know more about the world and know why it works the way it does. I think the same applies to modern scientists. But, why do teachers and professors make it so dull? It is almost as if science does not apply to every aspect of our lives, which is far from the truth. But where is the poetry of science? Where is the passion and inspiration? Stem shouldn't just be about Formulas and equations and getting high grades on the MCATs. Concepts are not meant to be only memorized. We are tested so heavily that we forget that there is beauty in science. Scientists from the past were romantics and actually took the time to understand and not just memorize concepts for an exam. We don't have the time to really understand. We are always rushed now. Professors also try to weed us out and give up on our dreams. That could be my golden age thinker bias talking, but what if it's not? I really like chemistry, but how on earth do I learn to love it? As much as I find STEM dark academia posts on Tumblr beautiful, the energy shown in the classroom isn't the same. Take the Dead Poets Society, for example. The students were able to love poetry because of their teacher, who emanated such passion that it inspired so many individuals. I am looking for a John Keating that teaches chemistry, physics, biology, and math. If I cannot find such a person I aspire to be that person. I want to inspire and radiate genuine love for stem. I want to be a chemistry romantic.

So...I found this lovely bookshop and now I’m obsessed!!!!!

Hot espresso with a small slice of lemon peel and a hint of anisette liqueur, warm flaky buttery croissant, small batch of tart raspberries, dark chocolate bar with sprinkles of hazelnut, and amethyst coloured figs straight off the tree.

Finally came in the post!

William Wordsworth, Book VI: The Church-Yard Among the Mountains, from The Excursion (1814)

*me making my seventh tea / coffee of the day* maybe this little beverage will motivate me to finish my work

Ah I love this

Hamlet’s Vision by Pedro Américo (1893)

A couple confessions from your favorite romantic Chemistry academic….

Is there anything more Dark Academia than Nietzche and Schnabel commenting on Mozart’s music?

Also, is there such a thing as thrift shopping in your father’s closet? If not, I just made it a thing.

I was heading home from University on a rather grey day and whilst walking, a vintage looking barber shop caught my eye. The door was open and on the bottom right corner was a small picture of Ernest Hemingway…my favorite writer. Though it may be nothing really special to anyone else, I thought it was quite brilliant.