Einstein the geographer? A hoax.

Date:June 22, 2007 / year-entry #227
Tags:non-computer
Orig Link:https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20070622-01/?p=26293
Comments:    6
Summary:Perhaps you've seen this quote attributed to Albert Einstein: As a young man, my fondest dream was to become a geographer. However, while working in the Customs Office, I thought deeply about the matter and concluded that it was far too difficult a subject. With some reluctance, I then turned to physics as an alternative....

Perhaps you've seen this quote attributed to Albert Einstein:

As a young man, my fondest dream was to become a geographer. However, while working in the Customs Office, I thought deeply about the matter and concluded that it was far too difficult a subject. With some reluctance, I then turned to physics as an alternative.

Well, it's a fake. The original research and debunking came from Jerry Dobson, then was picked up (with extensive excerpts—recommended) by Sharon Burnside and then Regret the Error, which is where I found it.


Comments (6)
  1. Erzengel says:

    FYI: The first two links are not found, only the last link points to an article. Which was an intersting read, btw.

  2. Merus says:

    This sounds like a story spread by geographers.

  3. Dewi Morgan says:

    Yes, he was misheard. What he actually said was "programmer".

  4. Being an Einstein myself I read about about Albert. I’ve never seen that quote but there are lots of hoaxes or misunderstandings  such as the idea that he failed math in school or was mentally retarded.

    Geographer… ha! If not for physics, he probably would have been a decent musician.

  5. Poochner says:

    "Albert, you can’t count!"

  6. incher says:

    As a geographer I can, for sure, tell I got my potentional in the lower regions. I think it was that Einstein referred to.

Comments are closed.


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