Dec 30, 2007

The spirit of Wikipedia / FOSS and Sir Albert Einstein

The spirit that drives Free and Open Source Software and Wikipedia is based on that of the knowledge as a property of humanity and "sharing knowledge" the essence of human life, thus making it a duty of every human being. I always felt it as necessary for the current generation of students of all fields and grades to cultivate this spirit.

My thrill knew no bounds when I read an address to students made by my favorite scientist of all times - Sir Albert Einstein :

" My dear Children,
I rejoice to see you before me to-day, happy youth of a sunny and fortunate land.
Bear in mind that the wonderful things you learn in schools are the work of many generations, produced by enthusiastic effort and infinite labour in every country of the world. All this is put in your hands as your inheritance, in order that you may recieve it, honour it, add to it, and one day dutifully hand it on to your children. Thus do we mortals achieve immortality in the permanent things we create in common.
If you always keep this in mind you will find a meaning in life and work and acquire the right attitude towards other nations and ages. "

It is this address that kicked me out of my laziness, and urged to create a blog - so that I can share my knowledge and ideas, and care the other steps : "add"ing and "dutifully hand"ing, in addition to the "reciev"ing and "honour"ing that I have always done.