Albert Einstein would not have succeeded in a modern physics program.

He famously hired mathematicians to formalize his theories. Today’s curriculum demands an intense level of mathematical rigor before a student is allowed anywhere near the actual physics. Do you agree with this premise? If so, I have an extension I’d like you to consider.

In the prospect of eight semesters of progressively more challenging mathematics, progressively more arcane mathematics, and aggressively competitive academic rankings to weed out the weakest students, intuitive physics innovators are unlikely to pursue that path. It seems to me, the format of a modern academia is specifically designed to prevent the sort of innovation we saw in the mid-1900s.