l x x v i I N T R O D U C T I O N T O V O L U M E 1 6 mere fact that Reichenbach contributed to the hype around the new paper and, in Einstein’s view, made it look as if he had been privy to confidential information, prompted Einstein to write immediately to the editor: “I was surprised that your normally very respectable newspaper has facilitated a colleague’s tactless behavior toward me.” He said that he had told Reichenbach about his new theory in private, and that the latter had violated academic customs by writing this newspaper article (Doc. 381). The Vossische Zeitung apologized profusely and forwarded a copy of Einstein’s letter to Reichenbach (Doc. 383). Thunderstruck, Reichenbach wrote to Einstein that he was deeply hurt, especially by the fact that Einstein had written to the editors instead of confronting him directly. The action was even more painful given how much. Reichenbach claimed, he had always defended relativity theory and Einstein as a person (Doc. 384). [56] Einstein replied a few days later, writing that he was rather pleased about having riled Reichenbach, given how much trouble his actions had caused him. Einstein explained that owing to the “harmless indiscretions” of some friends, the anticipa- tion of his new work had grown into an “avalanche-like process” in the press and elsewhere that passed over him “like a swarm of locusts” (Doc. 390). Einstein had decided to refuse to talk to any reporters until after his new paper had actually been published in a scientific journal. He had then been embarrassed by the publication of Reichenbach’s article: “From your article, however, it was easy to see that you were informed. They thus accused me of breaking my word, and rightly so!” Ein- stein expressed amazement that Reichenbach could not see how he had acted badly, but then added: “But enough of this pathos and moral outrage. We are all only weak human beings, and we should admit to one another that we all have failings” (Doc. 390). Reichenbach showed some remorse, and seemed eager to put the epi- sode behind them (Doc. 391). Reichenbach kept publishing on relativity theory and on Einstein’s teleparallel unified field theory. In his own writings on teleparallel theory, Einstein would refer to Meyerson where before he might have referred to Reichenbach or Schlick (see Einstein 1929j [Doc. 314], Einstein 1930b [Doc. 87], and Doc. 395). Einstein and Reichenbach would not correspond again for many years.[57]
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