The 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's "annus mirabilis" has not passed quietly. Newspapers, magazines and TV documentaries have all trumpeted the year in which Einstein published five papers fundamentally rethinking the laws of time and space. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the former patent clerk's death.

Yet lying between these two dates is a less well-known anniversary. It is 74 years since Einstein attended the only seance of his life. What could have persuaded Einstein, harbinger of the scientific age, to attend such an unscientific event?

It would appear after decades of purported contact with the dead, those on the other side remain no more intelligent than when they were alive, perhaps less. Other than comfort, the knowledge possessed by the dead has produced nothing of substantial scientific value to the living. This has caused some skepticism.

# posted by Gerry Canavan @ 7:47 PM  |