The Principleby A. Bertram ChandlerPeople have talked about the innate perversity of inanimate objects for years but has anyonetried to figure out whether there are any laws about itA. Bertram Chandler is well known for his provoking little short stories about loopholes in science.Heres one which may make you wonder why not ?GORDON whom beer always made philosophical said that it was a great pity that Einstein wasdead. Hibbert whose favorite tipple whiskey made him argumentative asked why. In any case said Hibbert not waiting for an answer he did quite enough damage for one man inhis lifetime with that equation of his. You know the one I mean... I do said Gordon. You know the one I mean repeated Hibbert glaring at the other. E over MC2. Thats what gavethem the idea for the atomic bomb. Thats why we had no summer last year and why were not going toget any this. Its a great pity in my opinion that Einstein ever lived. Gordon sipped his beer slowly. He was only a little man and it seemed at first that he was almostafraid of Hibberts bulk. But we knew that this was not the case. Philosophical he might be—but he wasthe sort of philosopher who would go on peddling his brand of philosophy in the face of any and alladverse criticism. He finished what was in his glass then rapped it gently on the counter to