Bern, Switzerland,

Patent office.

"The potential difference, or potential difference, is a physical quantity that measures the difference in energy between a unit charge in an electrostatic field due to different potentials. The size from one point to another......"

In the small conference room, a young man was talking,

Whenever he talked about the key point, he would involuntarily frown, causing a few horizontal furrows to appear on his forehead.

But when he stretched, his forehead was large and bare, like a smooth wall.

"Stop!"

The interviewer, who was sitting across from the young man, raised his hand and interrupted, "Mr. Einstein, please pause for a moment." ”

Albert Einstein: "Huh? "sighed, a little helpless,

"Sir, from May to July of this year, my energy was focused on completing this paper on the thermodynamic theory of electric potential difference, which is the result of my work during this time, and I think it is important to elucidate it."

The interviewer smiled,

"I understand. Of course it's important. We need people like you in our patent office. ”

Einstein was silent.

With a history dating back to 1836, the Berne Patent Office is one of the oldest patent offices in the world and one of the largest in the world.

Working here, you can see the world's most cutting-edge technology and scientific research results.

That's why he sought to work here.

The interviewer smiled gently,

"I have some questions about your resume, I wonder if you can answer them?"

Albert Einstein nodded,

"Please."

The interviewer glanced at the paper materials in his hand and said, "First of all, I noticed that you have taken the entrance exam to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology twice?" ”

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Zurich) is actually ETH Zurich.

I didn't expect to ask this,

Einstein gave an embarrassed expression.

He nodded,

"Yes."

This answer is obviously not satisfactory,

The interviewer's expression remained unchanged and he continued to look at Einstein.

Silence is better than sound at this point.

Albert Einstein was helpless,

"I have to admit that the entrance exam to ETH is very difficult and I have failed. At the time, I had just taught myself calculus and was not yet proficient in its application...... The word "application" here refers to doing problems, not scientific research. ”

The interviewer said "um",

His body leaned back, sunk in the armchair, and his face was hidden in the shadows, unable to see his expression,

His hands pressed against each other with the tips of his five fingers, facing each other in a void.

Albert Einstein's heart was in trouble,

"Sir?"

The interviewer ponders,

After a moment, he said, "It's not a good record. ”

Albert Einstein quickly explained: "Sir, I graduated from the Aarau State High School the following year, and then I took the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology again, and I succeeded. ”

The interviewer didn't pick up the stubble, as if he was considering.

After a while, he said, "You don't need to be nervous, like I just said, I'm just a little confused. ”

Einstein was speechless,

“……”

Can you not be nervous?

No matter how much you like scientific research, you can't live by drinking dew.

He needed a stable job.

The interviewer also seemed to notice that the young man had not let go of his nervousness, so he comforted: "It's not a big deal. I read your transcript and your dissertation was a success and was published in the journal Annals of Physics in Leipzig. ”

Speaking of this, Einstein was a little proud,

"Inferences from the Capillary Phenomenon are a good article."

The interviewer chuckled,

"Haha, I study chemistry."

Einstein touched his nose and scolded himself for getting carried away.

The interviewer changed his serious voice and said, "Now is the second question. You seem to have officially acquired federal citizenship only this year? ”

Albert Einstein said: "Things in March. ”

The interviewer said "um",

"Let's talk."

Einstein swallowed a mouthful of saliva and whispered, "First of all, I'm Jewish. I was born in Ulm, Germany, and moved to Munich with my parents, where I began to study advanced mathematics on my own because of my passion for mathematics. ”

The interviewer is lost in thought,

After a long time, he said, "You have to wait." Your time for naturalization is too short. ”

This is equivalent to a promise,

Albert Einstein was surprised,

"That is to say......"

The interviewer waved his hand and said, "I'll give you a note, and I'll apply after March next year." ”

As he spoke, he tore up a piece of paper and wrote his last name on it.

"Whew~"

Albert Einstein let out a sigh of relief,

"Thank you."

The interviewer shook his head and said, "Don't thank me, I didn't promise anything." ”

As he spoke, he waved his hand and motioned for Einstein to leave.

Einstein quickly put the note in his pocket, said goodbye to the other party, pushed the door and left the small conference room, and then walked quickly out of the door of the patent office.

In Bern in October, the weather is gradually getting cooler, and the fresh air is filled with the smell of autumn.

The sun shines through the blue sky and white clouds, sprinkling on the streets and alleys of the city, giving people a warm and peaceful feeling.

Not far away, a woman greeted her,

"Albert, how's it going?"

The woman's name is Mileva Marik, and she is a college classmate of Albert Einstein.

Einstein had a vague feeling that the two would get married.

He shook his head,

"Not yet."

Marik couldn't help but sigh and said in a low voice: "I told you before, there is no need to write your own things too clearly, the Swiss are very stereotypical." ”

The corners of Einstein's mouth curled,

In fact, he's not a flexible person.

On his resume, he only said that he was Jewish, born in Germany, and became a Swiss citizen in March this year, but he hid a very important experience-

In 1894, the Einstein family moved to Milan, Italy.

In recent years, because of the Alps and Ticino, Italy and Switzerland have been somewhat unpleasant.

Einstein wasn't stupid enough to tell the truth.

Of course, Germany and Switzerland are also a little dirty, but Germany is the country where Einstein was born, and it can't be hidden at all.

That being the case, it is better to say it generously,

It also makes a genuine first impression.

From a historical point of view, there are very few really big scientists with low emotional intelligence,

Albert Einstein was no exception.

He spread his hands and said, "I only said, 'Not yet,' not in the future," he said. The people at the patent office told me to come back in March next year, and I should be fine by then. ”

Marike showed a look of surprise,

"Really? I already knew you were fine. ”

Albert Einstein shrugged,

"That's not what you just said."

Marik laughed amused, and then opened her mouth as if remembering something,

"Ah, yes! Look at this! ”

She handed over a copy of the Mirror.

Einstein was speechless,

"Isn't "I'm a Cat" already serialized?"

Because that comic was so popular that the whole of Europe was affected,

Especially the ladies, all of them are looking forward to the "Mirror", so that in Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France and other places, the "Mirror" has sold ten times the original price.

But even so, it is still hard to find.

In this regard, Einstein was a little disdainful in his heart,

He also liked "I Am a Cat", but he couldn't accept letting him buy a newspaper with money far more than it actually was.

Unexpectedly, Marike shook her head and said: "It's not the version and the comic version, you look at the front page!" ”

Albert Einstein looked over,

Unexpectedly, this time the front page turned out to be a big table,

Header –

Global University Rankings.

"Tsk......"

Einstein couldn't help but be stunned and said in a low voice: "This editor-in-chief of the "Mirror" is somewhat arrogant, and he thinks that he can rank global universities? He really ......"

Before he could finish speaking, Marik immediately interrupted: "The editor-in-chief of the Mirror is Lu. ”

Einstein:???

"What? What 'Lu'? ”

He didn't understand it.

Marike reluctantly reminded the other party: "Your favorite one, forgot?" ”

Einstein's favorite of nature is "The Country Teacher",

And its author......

“Lu！？ That Lu!? ”

Einstein's eyes widened.

Marik nodded and said, "That's Lu." He is also the author of "No One Left Alive", "The Mystery of Roger", "Roman Holiday", and "The Lord of the Rings". ”

Albert Einstein: "......"

I couldn't help but murmur in my heart, the gap between people's tastes is really big,

For example, Lu's work,

He likes "The Country Teacher" the most, because the fantasy of space and civilization in it deserves the word "science fiction";

Secondly, he likes Yes! Prime Minister", the irony is too profound;

Thirdly, he likes "Guns, Germs, and Steel", which is obviously a liberal arts work, but it used a lot of engineering and science thinking to compile it.

And Marike does like things that are fanciful,

Especially "Roman Holiday",

A princess and a pauper in love?

How can it be!

Albert Einstein coughed lightly and said, "I'd rather look at the criteria used in the global university rankings." ”

He looked at the instructions on the table,

"Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Unit Faculty Essay Citations, Student-Student Ratio, International Faculty Ratio, International Student Ratio, Revolutionary ......"

Marik asked, "How?" ”

Albert Einstein nodded,

"Not bad. In particular, this 'unit faculty paper citation', which is calculated by dividing the total number of citations of university research papers by the number of faculty members at the university in a year, is indeed a groundbreaking indicator. It's just that this kind of data is very troublesome to count, and the self-citation situation should also be ruled out......"

Marik laughed, "Then you think it's authoritative?" ”

Albert Einstein smiled,

"Well, I think it's okay."

Marike said helplessly: "That's over, our Swiss Federal Institute of Technology is very low." ”

Einstein could see it,

"Normal. Our school is not able to award doctoral degrees yet, and the number of citations naturally cannot go up. Moreover, the number of our colleges is also small, compared to Cambridge and Oxford, it is not enough to see, and even University College London is not an opponent. ”

Frankly, Einstein even felt that this ranking was a bit high.

Mary Ke didn't think so,

"Our school isn't that bad, is it? It's the 'No. 1 school in Europe'~"

Albert Einstein laughs,

"Self-appointed."

I have to admit that there are many things, and there are many things.

Although ETH Zurich is the self-proclaimed "No. 1 European University", with the split of the University of Paris and the decline in the status of each university due to the defeat of Germany, the "No. 1 European University" has become a reality.

Einstein examines the table,

"Overall, this ranking is relatively objective, and the British are not shamelessly all-encompassing. The only problem is that universities in the U.S. as a whole are a bit too high. Well...... It is also not known how the weights of each indicator are calculated. ”

Marik asked, "Are you curious?" ”

Albert Einstein shook his head,

"Forget it~ I'll watch it."

Marike immediately chirped excitedly: "There is no version today!" However, I heard that Lu is going to start updating the second part of The Lord of the Rings, and Gandalf will be resurrected......"

Albert Einstein couldn't help but have a headache,

I shouldn't have mentioned it myself.

……

Berlin, Germany

University of Berlin.

In the cafeteria, Max Planck is sitting with his student Heinrich Carstens.

Carstens is about to graduate,

Naturally, he inherited the mantle of his mentor Planck, and his graduation thesis was the study of blackbody radiation.

Now the problem is because Planck published his paper "On the Law of Normal Spectral Energy Distribution" in the Annals of Physics, proposing that the radiant energy of matter is not infinitely divisible, but is composed of the smallest and indivisible energy units,

This "quantum theory" is too advanced, causing Planck to become a jumping god in the eyes of many people.

Even in the physics group, there are many voices that do not recognize.

Both the master and apprentice are not having a good time now.

With their heads down, the two of them each launched an offensive against the bread and crispy pork knuckle, and buried their heads in cooking.

At this moment, there was a sudden uproar behind him,

"Professor!"

"Professor Monson! I bought your book, can you sign it for me? ”

"The History of Rome is a great book!"

……

"Here we go again!"

Carstens was speechless.

Planck glanced back,

In the cafeteria was an old man who walked tremblingly, and despite his advanced age, he still maintained his demeanor and solemnity, and his demeanor showed great composure.

He was none other than Christian Monsen, author of the History of Rome.

According to the original history, Monson would have won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1902.

But now that it is stirred up by Lu Shi, it must be no fun.

Carstens showed a mean little expression, winked at Planck subtly, and whispered: "Professor, what do you say is the reason why Professor Mommsen returned to Berlin from Chartnay?" How do I feel ......"

Planck's brow furrowed,

"Don't talk about it."

As the saying goes, "disaster comes from the mouth", at a time when quantum theory is being criticized, he doesn't want to have another incident.

Carstens was young and vigorous, and muttered secretly: "I see, Professor Monson is a little unable to save face~"

Originally, the Nobel Prize in Literature wanted to rub off on Monson's popularity,

But in the end, it was resisted by writers all over Europe, and was given to the truly deserved Toon.

The blow to Monson's prestige was incomparably greater, and he might even be a laughing stock.

There must be a reason why Monson ended his retirement and returned to the University of Berlin because he was cliqued and built up again, otherwise his reputation might have been ruined.

Academia is a circle, and there is no escape.

Planck glared at the student again and said, "Hurry up and eat, and go back to the lab in a moment." ”

Carstens sighed,

"Professor, why are you...... Alas......"

He thinks Planck is good at everything, and the only problem is that he doesn't fight.

Quantum theory, what an advanced doctrine?

Outcome......

"Alas......"

Carstens sighed again.

Planck said helplessly: "Superman is a genius in one step, and Superman is a madman in a hundred steps." When you actually start working on your own projects, you'll understand how I do it......"

Before he could finish speaking, there was another commotion from Monson's side.

Planck turned back.

I only heard Monson say over there: "Ridiculous! It's ridiculous! What is this global university ranking? How can we at the University of Berlin not be able to compete with the University of Munich? In my opinion, the editor-in-chief of the "Mirror" has a brain in water. ”

Planck was a little confused,

"What global university rankings?"

He looked at the student,

"You know?"

Carstens couldn't help but look embarrassed.

This expression is equivalent to an answer.

Planck said, "You know. ”

Carstens nodded, looked around, and asked the person at the table next to him, "Friend, do you still read this "Mirror"?" My teacher wanted to take a look. ”

If it was just Carstens himself, the man would definitely not agree,

But moving out of the professor is different.

He handed over the newspaper,

"Okay, here you go."

Carstens took it with both hands, then unfolded the front page and placed it next to Planck.

Planck glanced at it,

"Well, that's right...... Hiss ......"

He didn't say anything more.

This is the University of Berlin, and to say that the ranking is fair is equivalent to admitting that the University of Munich is better than the University of Berlin.

Carstens whispered, "Professor, I won't show it to you, I'm afraid you'll feel embarrassed." ”

Planck will,

In 1874 he entered the University of Munich to study mathematics and later changed to physics.

In 1878 he transferred to the University of Berlin, where he studied under the physicists von Helmholtz and Kirchhoff and the mathematician Karl Weierstras.

So, he's kind of a two-school guy.

Even if he was elected a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences in 1894, he would have to speak with caution on such matters.

The reputation of the school is more important than all else,

Academicians are not easy to make!

After the advent of quantum theory, Planck gained a deeper understanding of these "human sophistication".

"Tsk......"

He was speechless, feeling that it was not appropriate to stay here for a long time, and he didn't care about the unfinished pork knuckle, so he quickly got up and cleaned up the dishes.

Carstens returned the newspaper,

"Leaving now?"

Planck glared at him and said, "You have to go back to the experiment." ”

After that, I have to slip away.

As a result, someone stopped him from behind: "Professor Planck, have you read today's Mirror?" ”

(End of chapter)