"I believe there are 15, 747, 724, 136, 275, 002, 577, 605, 653, 961, 181, 555, 468, 044, 717, 914, 527, 116, 709, 366, 231, 425, 076, 185, 631, 031, 296 protons in the universe and the same number of electrons."
-Sir Arthur Eddington, The Philosophy of Physical Science. Cambridge, 1939.
Yeah, it is a great quote and sheds light on Eddington.
ReplyDeleteThere is another quote that similarly shows Eddington's character:
A journalist said to him "Is it true only 3 men on earth understand general relativity and you are one of them?" Eddington replied "Who's the third?"
It's not true!! There are only 15, 747, 724, 136, 275, 002, 577, 605, 653, 961, 181, 555, 468, 044, 717, 914, 527, 116, 709, 366, 231, 425, 076, 185, 631, 031, 295! I counted this morning!
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ReplyDeleteWow! Do you realize what this means?!? That last proton must have decayed!!! In only 15, 747, 724, 136, 275, 002, 577, 605, 653, 961, 181, 555, 468, 044, 717, 914, 527, 116, 709, 366, 231, 425, 076, 185, 631, 031, 295 x 70 years, we are all DOOMED!!! (You better email those guys in Hawaii so that they can get a jump on the proper litigation.)
ReplyDeleteYes, now the Hawaii guys have something good to fight.
ReplyDelete