Posted by Annon on November 22, 1999 at 16:16:30:
A man who had been battling a mental disorder for years
finally seemed to have improved to the point where it was
thought he might be released. The head of the institution,
in a fit of commendable caution, decided, however, to
interview him first.
"Tell me," said he, "if we release you, as we are
considering doing, what do you intend to do with your life?'
The inmate said, "It would be wonderful to get back to real
life and if I do, I will certainly refrain from making my
former mistake. I was a nuclear physicist, you know, and it
was the stress of my work in weapons research that helped
put me here. If I am released, I shall confine myself to
work in pure theory, where I trust the situation will be
less difficult and stressful."
"Marvelous," said the head of the institution.
"Or else," ruminated the inmate. "I might teach. There is
something to be said for spending one's life in bringing up
a new generation of scientists."
"Absolutely," said the head.
"Then again, I might write. There is considerable need for
books on science for the general public. Or I might even
write a novel based on my experiences in this fine
institution."
"An interesting possibility," said the head.
"And finally, if none of these things appeals to me, I can
always continue to be a teakettle."
