erice (12/15/82)
During a lecture on wave mechanics at Lambda University recently,
the eminent theoretical physicist Dr. Marvin Feingoldbergfeldmanstein
was asked by a student, "Why, if particles can in general be represented by
wave packets, is the concept of a particle necessary at all? Why not just
abandon the concept of particles and thereby eliminate any problem with
wave-particle duality?"
Upon hearing this question Dr. Feingoldbergfeldmanstein left the lecture
hall abruptly without comment, and retired to his office, where he was observed
to be discarding a large quantity of papers, periodicals, and textbooks.
Shortly thereafter, to the utter amazement and dismay of a few students and
the department secretary who had gathered to observe his unusual behavior,
Dr. Feingoldbergfeldmanstein announced, "It is no longer necessary for me to
maintain this corporeal facade of particulate behavior," upon which he turned
and radiated himself through the wall of his office. He has not been seen
since.
Dr. Feingoldbergfeldmanstein was a high-energy specialist and consequently
is believed to be of extremely short wavelength. Anyone possessing radiation
detection equipment capable of detecting particles (?) with wavelengths of
1E-149 nm or less is requested to notify the Lambda University physics
department immediately should Dr. Feingoldbergfeldmanstein be detected, as his
grades are due in next Friday.