A long 'chat' with Albert Einstein dealing with man’s place in the universe and the way we treat our world.

I was fortunate enough to spend the day enjoying the thoughts of Albert Einstein. As a marine ecologist, I have been puzzled by the actions of man and our inability to change the disastrous path we are on. As I posed the questions Albert Einstein's words (from other sources) provided the answers.

Our tiny blue planet is experiencing a period of change more rapid than at any time in its history. Global warming rages out of control, species extinction rates are growing exponentially, and there are more and more signs that our ecosystem is about to cross a 'tipping point'. Nothing will be this way again.



Gerald Goeden-
"When I was young I believed that technology was the answer to all of man's problems. We all believed that hunger and war could be wiped out and that the world could be a kind of Utopia. Do you see technology as the God-send it was deemed to be or has it failed us"?

Albert Einstein
“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” 

Gerald Goeden
"So you don't believe that technology has failed us but that man has failed himself. Is this because our perspective is inherently selfish and we have little respect for others? By others, I mean the others can be people or even other species?"

Albert Einstein

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.” 

Gerald Goeden
" So you are saying that we are self-limiting and therefore we can't escape the limited way we see the world and our own futures."

Albert Einstein

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” 

Gerald Goeden
"It seems to me that there is a kind of popular thinking that sets the parameters for change. If the majority believe the way they treat the Earth is acceptable then isn't it right by definition?"

Albert Einstein

“What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.” 

Gerald Goeden
" I along with many others have tried to change the way people interact with the ocean. We treat it both as an unlimited supply of resources and as a garbage dump. We're not succeeding. What should we be doing?"


Albert Einstein

“Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and it's beauty.” 

Gerald Goeden
"How do you feel about the way we treat the more sentient, more intelligent of Earth's species? Have you seen the photos of the harvesting of whales and dolphins?"

Albert Einstein

“The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.” 

Gerald Goeden

"Recent research is pointing to an environmental 'tipping point' in the near future. Do you think that man has the ability to continue on re-making the world as it suits him or will Mother Nature step in and take over?"

Albert Einstein

“Everything is determined, the beginning as well as the end, by forces over which we have no control. It is determined for the insect, as well as for the star. Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper.” 

Gerald Goeden

"Thanks for your most helpful words. We'll speak again soon."


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