Now It Is Our Turn

1.1 INTRODUCTION: THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS OF THE PERFECT GAS Ludwig Boltzmann, who spent much of his life studying statistical mechanics, died in 1906, by his own hand. Paul Ehrenfest, carrying on the work, died similarly in 1933. Now it is our turn to study statistical mechanics.

A textbook page introduces thermodynamics and statistical mechanics by stating that Ludwig Boltzmann and Paul Ehrenfest died by suicide, then ominously concludes, “Now it is our turn to study statistical mechanics.” The joke is the unexpectedly grim wording of an academic introduction, making the reader feel that studying the subject is a dangerous fate. EN: A textbook page introduces thermodynamics and statistical mechanics by stating that Ludwig Boltzmann and Paul Ehrenfest died by suicide, then ominously concludes, “Now it is our turn to study statistical mechanics.” The joke is the unexpectedly grim wording of an academic introduction, making the reader feel that studying the subject is a dangerous fate.

• @memetutorial / 12914 2020-01-15