DOCS.
356,
357
JUNE
1917 347
For each
point
there
is
an
infinitesimal
light
cone as
well
as a
“light
surface”
formed
by
the
totality
of
the
geodetic
continuations of
the
cone’s
generators.
Let
a
light
surface be formed for
every point
in
your
world
(in
your
most
transparent
coordinate
choice,[4]
they
are cones).
Furthermore,
the
hyperboloid[5]
h2
=
0
has
meaning
independently
of
the
coordinate
system only
in
your
world.
It
sig-
nifies
the
temporally
infinitely
distant
(infinitely
distant,
measured in
ƒ ds[6]).
The
light
surface of
an
arbitrary
point
of
your
world intersects this surface of
the
temporally and
geodetically
infinitely
distant.
The
light
surface of
just
one
point
(your origin)
does
not
intersect this surface
but
approaches
it
asymptotically.[7]
Thus this
point is de facto
privileged;[8]
your
world
is
thus
not
homogeneous.
This, naturally,
does not
constitute
a
refutation;
but
this state of
affairs
irri-
tates
me.-
What
pleases
me
especially
is
that
you
did take
an
interest in
the
problem
and also
feel
the
need
to
discover what kinds
of
conceptions
of
the
large-scale
structure
of
the
guv-field
are
theoretically
possible.-[9]
From Ehrenfest
I
hear
to
my
great
joy
that
your
health
has
improved.[10]
In
wishing you
a
quick, complete
recovery,
I
am
with cordial
regards, yours,
A. Einstein.
At
the
end of
the month
I
am
departing
for Switzerland for 6-8
weeks.
My
address
there
is: c/o
Mr.
P.
Winteler,
16A
Bramberg
St.,
Lucerne.
357. To Michele Besso
[Berlin,]
24
June
[1917][1]
Dear
Michele,
I
hope
to be able
to
arrive in Zurich between
the 5th
&
the 7th
of
July.
Words
cannot
express
how
eager
I
am
to
go,
even though
the
journey
itself
is
expected
to
be
a
great
strain
now.[2] I
am
staying
in Zurich
a
few
days
only,
because it
is
too stressful for
my creaky
frame.[3]
Then
I
am
going
to
Arosa with
Albert,
after
that
to Lucerne to
my sister’s,
where
I’ll
be
staying
for
a
number
of weeks.[4]
I
am
very
much
looking
forward to
our
conversations,
also to Dällenbach
if
he
is
there.
I
hope
to
see
Weiss
again as well,
who
is
supposedly
back in
Zurich.[5]
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