There are only two infinite things, the universe and human stupidity, and I am not sure about the former?

Question

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I am not sure about the former." Albert Einstien.

Why?

Please (if possible) prove example to back up your statement.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I think over time we will come to learn about the limits of the universe. We are an arrogant species that professes to be intelligent we are not. On this, Einstein gets my support.

Examples.

We pollute our own environment.

We procreate even when there are not enough resources to provide for our young resulting in disease and death.

We live in nations with billions and trillions of dollars of debt. Our great grand children have no hope of ever paying off the debt that we have accumulated.

We have the knowledge to improve the quality and quantity of our lives and still we engage in behaviours that are detriments to our health -- drugs, alcohol, poor diet, fast food, no exercise, etc.

Those who have the opportunity for education often forsake it.

We have children of 16 or 17 who think that will be suitable parents to children with no way of providing for those children.

We are a foolish society that believes that love conquers all. Love does not end starvation. Love does not end disease. Love does not end poverty. Love does not end HIV.

Answer 2

Poor Einstein...he really led a rough life. It must be hard to be that smart. Remember intelligence is on a circle. The more brilliant you are, the more like a child you are intellectually. He was creative and brilliant, but also lonely and mystified constantly. A mind constantly at work without the belief that someday he would exist past this world because of his religion. Remember he was Jewish, so he was brought up by that spirituality and you have to understand the Judaism way of thinking to understand what he meant by the universe perhaps not being infinite. Yet, scientist more recently have determined that the universe is still growing. (I watch a lot of discovery channel.) Unfortuntely, not being a genious, it kind of bored me (the show) so I switched the station. I like to be entertained by stupid comedies that make me laugh. Guess that makes me one of those stupid humans.

Answer 3

Because sooner or later, the later is going to end up screwing up the former. That's what Einstein was afraid of. Pax - C