Soundbites

Here is a sampling of quotations from Cornell University faculty, students and staff that have appeared recently in the national and international news media:

"Then, to me, in 1948, he said his main intention had been to save a few young physicists from going to the war by employing them in the uranium project. And indeed there were several promising young German physicists whom he did save. So I believe that motive."

--Hans Bethe, the J.W. Anderson Professor Emeritus of Physics, commenting in the debate on whether German scientist Werner Heisenberg could have built an atomic bomb for Hitler, in The New York Times, March 21.

"Quantum computation raises the question of whether feasibility is or is not an essential ingredient in determining the elegance of a proposed technology. Ordinarily it surely is, but quantum computation seems to me a case where the conceptual charm of the idea is so very powerful that the strong possibility that it will never prove feasible fails to undermine its elegance."

--N. David Mermin, professor of physics, in an opinion piece in the March issue of Physics Today.

"I think it's ironic that at the start of the 21st century, women are more imprisoned now -- by ideals of the body -- than they were a century ago. Why aren't we paying more attention to Dan Rather's or Bill Clinton's weight? Why isn't this 'The Great Bill Weight Debate?'"

--Joan Jacobs Brumberg, professor of human development and women's studies, in a article about actresses' weight, in the February issue of Glamour Magazine.

"They are frustrated because they, like other professionals, believe that if they engage in reasonable discourse with the company they can solve their problems."

--Richard Hurd, professor of industrial and labor relations, in an article on the February strike at Boeing Aircraft by the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, who demanded a say in better aircraft quality, in the Seattle Times, Feb. 11.

"Once you have almost $20 million, a lot of people want to come join the party. We have lots of friends."

--Carl A. Batt, professor of food science and co-director of CU's nanobiotech-nology center, commenting on growing interest in nanotechnology since Congress made it a funding priority, in The Chronicle of Higher Education, March 31.