2000/10/25  Marshall Price

WTMI-FM has been running a commercial for itself recently in which an
announcer with no pretense of imitating Albert Einstein has been
complaining of all the pressures he was subjected to, of endless lectures,
papers, and discussions!  It's supposed to be funny, and to explain why he
needed to listen to classical music-- on WTMI, of course.

But I don't find it very humorous.  It doesn't sound at all like him, and
anybody who knows anything of Einstein's biography should know that he was
expelled from his teaching position in Berlin under the Nazi regime, came
to America, and never again was under the least bit of pressure to give a
lecture, deliver a paper, or engage in a discussion.  He was an honored
guest at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Studies, where all his needs
were taken care of, and he was free to do whatever he liked.

Fortunately, WTMI's announcement doesn't rely on the theme of "Einstein's
pressures," however, and he did indeed enjoy classical music very much.  
Every Thursday evening he joined Ruth Plum (with whom I lived for about a
year in the mid-seventies) and two or three other people (at least one of
whom I met) to play chamber music.  He was a very accomplished violinist.

Wouldn't it be much better if WTMI dropped its pretense of humor and
respectfully recited a real quotation from Einstein?  They'd certainly
have plenty to choose from.  Then they might mention, or even play, some
of his favorite music.  It would vastly improve the atmosphere of the
breaks in their programming and would probably enhance the effectiveness
of their sponsors' commercials, especially if there's a trace of
seriousness or sincerity among them.

Only recently, WTMI changed hands, and the new management made the
commendable decision to play classical music around the clock.  With the
change, they got rid of the intensely irritable advertising that ruined
our enjoyment of the music.  Whatever made them think that cheap, crass
humor would enliven the listening experience is beyond me, but I bet there
are very few listeners who wouldn't side with me on this issue.

WTMI, why not show a little respect for your programming and your
audience?