Relativity
by Albert Einstein · first published 1992
6mentions
5recommended by
6HN commenters
2010–2017first – last mentioned
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Written by Einstein for interested non-specialists, it explains special and general relativity in plain language with limited math, offering a direct, accessible account from the theory's creator.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Yeah, the whitepaper is very approachable. It's amazing how simple it is. Along similar lines (complex topics explained beautifully and simply by their creators), I recommend Relativity: The Special and General Theory[1] by the man himself. It's a great explanation of relativity without the need to have a strong math background. He explains it in the form of thought experiments, as only…
on “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System (2008) [pdf]” ↗Supposed to be a good exposition, although not entirely easy; for modern editions you can buy: http://www.amazon.com/Relativity-Special-General-Masterpiece... http://www.amazon.com/Relativity-Special-General-Classic-Rep...
on “Relativity: The special and general theory” ↗The first half of this is from the excellent book: Relativity: The Special and General Theory by Albert Einstein It's written for the interested layman, the article is from part 3 of the book where Einstein explains this.
on “How big is the entire universe?” ↗…represent many thousands of years of collected intelligence and wisdom many written by the intellect that created the ideas underlying today's society. Check out Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin or Relativity by Albert Einstein.
on “Our IQs have never been higher – but it hasn’t made us smart” ↗http://www.amazon.com/Relativity-Special-General-Masterpiece...
on “Ask HN: How do geniuses think? How do you think?” ↗…thought experiments, which communicated tremendously complex ideas with analogies so simple and elegant that someone with less than a secondary school education could grasp them. Einstein even wrote Relativity: The Special and General Theory as a "popular" science text, so that as many scientists in as many fields as possible could understand the implications of his theories. As has often been said on HN,…
on “0.0% of Icelanders 25 years or younger believe God created the world” ↗