Science

April 25, 2007

Albert Einstein, Ecologist?

Gelf gets to the bottom of a dubious quote about bees attributed to the great physicist.

Vincent Valk

Albert Einstein was probably the greatest physicist of the 20th century. He was not, however, an alien visitor, nor a professional basketball player, nor president of the United States. Nor a biologist. Nor an entomologist. Nor an ecologist. Nor a beekeeper. So Gelf thought it was strange when the following quotation—attributed to Einstein—appeared widely in recent media coverage of a mysterious bee-massacring phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder.

"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."






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- Science
- posted on Apr 26, 07
Sid Johnson

It should be noted that in no way would the death of all bees ever lead to man's death. In fact, other than bees, Wasps, Beetles, Ants, Caterpillars, Moths and Hummingbirds also pollinate flowers. Additionally, all Corn is pollinated by the wind, not by bees or any other insect.
Of course, we can also pollinated via artificial means.
Our 'Bee' in America was in fact brought here from European explorers, and our native 'feral' bee certainly was able to pollinate things without the honey bee.

- Science
- posted on May 04, 07
Chris Schultz

thank you, thank you, thank you for going after that alleged quote by Albert Einstein. When I first heard it, I couldn't believe it. Then I started reading it everywhere. Einstein said many things both profound and not so profound. I doubt he ever addressed the issue of bees. As for CCD, a Canadian beekeeper, inspired by the Einstein quote, said he knows what's causing the problem. The bees are making crop circles and its working them to death.

- Science
- posted on May 17, 07
Amy Valens

Your article and Sid Johnson's comments are much appreciated. Environmentalists have many important things to warn us about, but they must not exaggerate or their real claims won't be taken seriously. Most grasses are wind pollinated--that means wheat (the staff of life) and rye among other foodstuffs. Besides the numerous pollinators that Mr. Johnson mentions, remember that there are many many kinds of native bees who are not being jeopardized by the maladies that strike honeybees. While I can't quote any studies, I know that scientists at UC Berkeley have been studying their pollination habits. During my 20 years of amateur beekeeping, I saw more and more diseases and parasites attacking honeybees. Like canaries in mines, we should not dismiss the importance of the wake up call this disappearance is giving us to the state of nature's "immune system". But nor should we imagine that all our food sources would go unpollinated if the role of honeybees diminishes.

- Science
- posted on Oct 16, 07
Maurice Kuyckx

Only this: Read "Der Spiegel" and not "Der Speigel"
Greetings from Belgium
Maurice

- Science
- posted on Dec 05, 07
Brother Chuck

I am a beekeeper, and it really does not make any difference whither Brother Albert said it or not. The writing is on the wall. Even though the Honeybee is disapearing, keep in mind all pollinators are under stress now..even the butterflies which contribute to some pollination along with humming birds and sweat bees.

There is a difinite change coming, famine is on the horizon, and the end of this world as mankind knows it is coming to an end.

Why, are we so alarmed when Christ told us that these things would come. What has been predestinely ordained of God is the order inwhich things will come, no one can stop it , nor slow it down.

As Chirst said, If GOd does not cut short these days for the sake of the elect mankind will destroy himself.

God has even given to us confirmation after confirmation of what is coming upon the entire face of the earth. And the honeybee is one of God's gifts and God's tool of pollination inwhich God feeds us all. The honeybee tasted the fruit of Eden long before Adam and Eve did. And the Mayan Calendar is one of those things also that mankind should take heed now and prepare his self spiritually to meet his Maker.....

The countdown has begun...and Praise God..this is what many generations of believers have hoped for..And this is the blessed generation to see it come to pass..

The majority will believe and will scoff at the mention of the name Jesus Christ...But, I tell you as God's word says...

Every Knee will bowdown before God..

I am waiting for the first report of a Polar Bear appearing in Down town New York.. wonder what they will say then...

- Science
- posted on Jan 28, 08
RIDWAN RUFAI

Reason not clealy explained.Add more if you have any please!.

- Science
- posted on Feb 27, 08
elizabeth

i think that this blog was helpful i am doing research on this quote albert made i hope i discover the truth

- Science
- posted on May 10, 08
Eric

Hmmmmmmmmmm

- Science
- posted on May 19, 08
sicence kid

How did you get your information? It looks kinda fishy. You should make sure ever thing is spelled right and is the right word in meaning.

- Science
- posted on Jun 15, 08
christina g

It is true that we will die off without bees because they DO pollinate our food. it doesn't matter who said it but it does matter what we do about this problem. I am only 14 but i know that we can be in deep trouble with out our bees. up to 1/3 of our food comes from pollinating bugs. 85% of that 1/3 comes from honey bees the other 15% comes from hornets and bumble bees. they DO NOT even make enough for all of us. of course not all of us will die off but the vast majority of us will and life will be really hard. so people wake up and look at the bees cause they might not bee here tomorrow.

- Science
- posted on Jun 15, 08
christina g

oh and all of you who don't believe in the death of bees well think about this CCD mites pesticides oh and i don't know they put stuff on corn now a days that when bees go to pollinate, oh yes bees pollinate corn too, it they cant find their way back to the hive and starve to death. people stop all of this the native Americans didn't do this when they stopped being nomadic they just let it grow with a little help here and there we should do as they did and stop all of the pesticides
please listen to me we need to help the bees.

- Science
- posted on Jun 16, 08
tracibeth

M. Night Shalyman just used the quote in his new movie, the happening. It opens with the question of what is happening to the bees. I'm not marketing, although now it likely looks that way... but that guy does a lot of research himself, and likely would have several additional pieces for you, since you asked. i was a reporter once (military) and from journalist to writer, i'm sure he'd actually even share with you what he's got -- especially since the movie is hitting mixed reviews... M. Night Shalyman just used the quote in his new movie, the happening. It opens with the question of what is happening to the bees. I'm not marketing, although now it likely looks that way... but that guy does a lot of research himself, and likely would have several additional pieces for you, since you asked. i was a reporter once (military) and from journalist to writer, i'm sure he'd actually even share with you what he's got -- especially since the movie is hitting mixed reviews... Valk, thanks for this, i've been curious for a bit, since reading "Secret Life of Bees" and the idea they bring piece among disorder, or hard times. [This case, 60's equal rights era]. Good selection of blog posts as well... you forget for a minute how to weigh in with all of this.

Personally, i think it has something to do with the pollen itself. If it turns toxic, could it dehydrate you enough to evaporate? turning the bee into pollen and the pollen into poison killing even more around it.... that even begins to make the crop circle sound like it makes more sense.... and in the true scientific element of the article... likely none of us will actually get to the answer. I would really like to see that chart next species around; where were we in the red line when we realized, with the bees, we were going extinct?

if i had known the rumor about cell phone signals... well, all of it, i guess... i would have seen through the movie sooner, surely. thanks again. tracibeth hope thanks for this, i've been curious for a bit!

if i had known the rumor about cell phone signals... well, all of it, i guess... i would have seen through the movie sooner, surely. thanks again. tracibeth hope

- Science
- posted on Jun 16, 08

And of course, the signals of the internet which change the spellings and duplicate an entire paragraph... Peace among Disorder... and all of its implications. To think, the flowers like the sound of our buzzing into our cell phones even less than than that of a honeybee!

I can see that. ;) Keep your gossip out of public parks! Thanks, M. Knight!

- Science
- posted on Jul 10, 08
Latrice N.

How About Leave the rsin forest alone stop chopping down the trees to make things we really can live without do you people really care about Bees.The earth is yous mine and ours

- Science
- posted on Jul 20, 08
DR. M

What a bunch of garbage!! Einstein, more than likely, never said this!! Even if he did, we could discard it as easily as if a bored internet blogger had conjured this statement. EINSTEIN WAS A PHYSICIST!!

- Science
- posted on Nov 05, 08
lolo

i belive the world will end december 12 2012 so live life to the fullest vincent and all:(

- Science
- posted on Feb 03, 09
anoymous

I think the world will end in 2012. I'M REALLY SCARED ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!! Is there any way we can protect ourselves? Or will we all perish? Does Nibiru exist?

- Science
- posted on Jul 21, 10
D Lynn Kisken

Thank for the the discernment that is lacking in the minds of many.

- Science
- posted on Oct 29, 10
vijay

sir, I heard about bee pollen is used by Lord jesus chirst for health purpose. In which bible I can read it.where can I get that information. pls do the needful in this matter.

- Science
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Article by Vincent Valk

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