[coconutt2000]

I prefer to think that Einstein's understanding of relativity was based on an incorrect assumption of certain absolutes... I think that if he was alive today, he'd be leading the way on quantum mechanics.

He had an incredible intuition about the structure of matter and the universe, and he made huge leaps based on small amounts of inormation.

I think that is rather incredible, and he would certainly be a great scientist today if he was alive.

[Physicist]

I prefer to think that Einstein's understanding of relativity was based on an incorrect assumption of certain absolutes

What assumption is that?

[djf]

Interesting that because of the work of Bell and others, some ideas that were dumped because of general/special relativity are coming back in a certain vogue, even though no scientist would ever publicly admit it.

The quantum flux, the ZPE could be considered to be "ether".

There does indeed seem to be some kind of absolute space/time, ie a true, positive, though possibly not preferred, inertial system.

Whatever the next revelation in physics, it's almost to the point where it will be called a "philosophy", not a "hard science".

[mjp]

prefer to think that Einstein's understanding of relativity was based on an incorrect assumption of certain absolutes

Damn the Absolute

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

These physicists, Einstein included, have an overblown sense of their intellectual powers. They think they can understand how our Universe works. They will only ever be able to understand a small fragment of it.