Some of the dialogue from our conversation.

Did you have any Flash of inspiration that led to your breakthroughs?

Albert: Absolutely, I had multiple Flashpoint Moments (Laugh), one most notable. It had to do with a train, two observers, and two simultaneous bolts of lightning. I concluded If one observer is on the platform and one is on the train witnessing two bolts of lighting in the front and back of the train, they would observe them differently. The moving train created a relatively different experience. The observer on the train would experience the bolts one after the other while the observer on the platform would observe them simultaneously. I knew then I had the workings for the theory of relativity. 

Austin: This is incredible. As to not confuse our listeners, we will add a video if they want to understand this further. Once again, it was through the use of imagination that you were able to cultivate this idea. Amazing.

Albert: Absolutely! I encourage your listeners to use creative imagination in their own lives. Again, If I had been merely bound by the scientific laws of the time, void of my imagination, I would have never discovered these principals of the universe. CREATE! 

Austin: Wonderful! Let’s talk about your life after the miracle year. It’s 1905, you write these amazing papers and submit them. You get some response, but very little. You are still working at the Patent Office. But it seems while you made progress with your academic career, you stayed at the patent office for another 4 years, right?

Albert: Yes, I continued to develop my work including my “General Theory of Relativity”

I did receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Zurich in 1906. But, it wasn’t until October 1909 that I left the patent office to become an associate professor a the University of Zurich. Max Planck recognizing me and my work was the major catalyst for my progress. My work had little to no recognition before then. 

Austin: One person can change the course of our journey. It sounds like without Max Planck, you may have been waiting much longer or not accepted at all.

Albert: Who is to say, but I know that is possible for sure. I owe a great deal to Max. I truly do not know what would have happened without him.

Austin: Well, that is the single most important component in Flashpoint. I call it People Proximity. Who you are around impacts everything.