:lol: Guess I hit a nerve.
@Imperious:
Hitler’s Germany was NOT the greatest threat to the human race that has ever existed. Barring an ice age, a supervolcanic event, or a large asteroid impact, post WWII Soviet Union could be considered a greater threat simply by virtue of far greater manpower and nuclear weapons.
your right. Krakatoa was the greatest followed by Tunguska
This is an unfair comparison. We both know that in the past there have been much larger events of those types that are capable of reducing the human population from billions to a matter of thousands or zero. Just because we survived Krakatoa and Tunguska doesn’t mean that we are guaranteed to survive the next major event.
@Obergruppenfuhrer:
Oh god. Who isn’t a flawed individual?
Everyone is flawed. But we aren’t talking about everyone. We are discussing the greatness of a select few men. And it’s easy to ignore their flaws especially when those men’s flaws get in the way of their greatness. When you want to discuss the greatness of people, then you have to take the whole package not just the bits that support your claim and toss the rest.
Bill Hicks said it best. Hitler was an underachiever. And thank somebody’s God for that because if he wasn’t he could have done far more damage than he did. Hitler was a statesman who fancied himself a great general when he wasn’t. He famously ignored his commander’s advice, let personal feelings affect his decisions, and sometimes soured himself on his military leaders or tactics after only minor setbacks. His obsession with rooting out and exterminating the Jews and other perceived undesireables not only in Germany but also in conquered countries was, aside from being deplorable, a tremendous waste of time, manpower, and resources; had zero military value; and in the long run needlessly slowed Germany down thereby hastening the end of the war.
Sticking his nose into things that were beyond his capabilities and not relegating duties to better qualified people? Personal vendettas that interfered with good judgement and good advice? Obsession to the point of being irrational?
Churchill, on the other hand, was an imperialist who hypocritically railed against Hitler’s imperialism while simultanously was a sycophant for another imperialist (Stalin) at the expense of the country who’s pledge for defense was the entire reason for the war to begin with. For him, liberty was important when it came to western Europe, but not so much when it came to Eastern Europe, Africa and India.
These are simply not the marks of great men. I have no doubt that Einstein had shortcomings, but compared to those guys they can’t be very large.
…and in terms of Eintein’s regognition; the same comparisons will be drawn to Hitler by anyone percieved as a totallitarian nemesis.
That’s a typically Eurocentric view. Do you think that the Chinese feel that Hitler was their greatest totalitarian nemesis? How about Africans? Afghanis? The Finns? Philippinos? Cambodians? There are even some in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe who feel that Stalin was more of a totalitarian menace than Hitler.
The problem with humanity is that we can all benefit immensely from looking at the world from other people’s perspectives, like when discussing great men, or when it comes to conflicts, but it’s a rare thing for it to actually happen. And even an arrogant person like myself or someone like you, for example, makes that mistake on occasion.
“Till the end of time”
I didn’t say that. I said until the end of “mankind”. For all we know tomorrow could be our last day. I doubt time would stop for that milestone, however. But, either way, it’s a true statement. Einstein will be with us for good. He’s the gift that keeps on giving. Even when Hitler will be just a thousand year old maniac.
As for the rest of your post, I am making a conscious effort not to respond to vitriol with vitriol. You have a nice day.
