I enjoyed Ethan Rosenberg’s column about a College of Fine Arts student’s life (“Wondering what those CFA kids do all day? I’ll tell you,” March 29, p.7). I found it very enlightening to know how, despite all the apparent differences, things are just as difficult for a CFA student as they are for a College of Engineering student. However, as a Physics major, I cannot sit back and let him disparagingly compare the practicalities of set-building class to that of quantum mechanics: “That means instead of attending a lecture of quantum mechanics or something else inherently useful in today’s global marketplace, I might be learning how to do set drawings…”

For the record, besides being the most verified scientific theory ever, quantum mechanics is also the science behind most of the profound changes in our lives. There are various clichéd examples; for instance, the lasers in your CD drive could never have been made without an understanding of the energy states described by quantum mechanics. I will resist the urge to list several other examples because such lists are usually boring and no one actually reads them, but suffice it to say, there are many others.

What I took away from Mr. Rosenberg’s column was essentially that you shouldn’t assume things about the other colleges because you really don’t know anything. That’s why I think it was hypocritical of him to then dismiss the work of physics students. I understand the argument that the humanities are necessary for a society to function and be healthy. In fact, I personally and wholeheartedly agree with that argument, but if Rosenberg wants to compare the practical worth of a hard science like quantum mechanics to that of set-building for theatrical performances, I’d be happy to argue that point anywhere, any place. Of course, if all else fails, I may just punch him … and he will die.

Alex Krause CAS ’09