"Now he has departed from this strange world a little ahead of me. That means nothing. People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion."

 

I wonder...is life really an illusion?  Are the Hindus right about this?  Einstein was probably very influenced by the Existential philosophers of the day. (We are all "victims" of our culture, no?)
I think the Existentialists make excellent points about relative reality as a personal phenomenon, but believe that there is no need to be polarized on this subject:  that is, either reality is relative or it is not.
I believe some things are relative and some objective.  Why not?  The more we know ourselves and our world, the closer we can come to objective reality.  And that is a worthy goal.  If we live in relativity only, we are walking through a dangerous swamp.  It is too easy to rationalize anything!
How can I argue with Einstein?  Geniuses are not right about ALL aspects of life.  And geniuses often disagree among themselves; why not me? (Not that I am a genius... ;0)
What are your thoughts about relativity?  Is perception reality?  If you believe life is an illusion, how do you live without an anchor?