7 A ug 2 00 7 Relativity without tears

Special relativity is no more a new revolutionary theory but firmly established cornerstone of modern physics. The teaching of special relativity, however, still follows its presentation as it was unfolded historically, trying to convince subjects of this teaching that Newtonian physics is natural but incorrect and special relativity is its paradoxical but correct amendment. I argue in this article in favor of logical instead of historical trend in teaching of relativity and that special relativity is neither paradoxical nor correct (in the absolute sense of nineteen century) but the most natural expected description of real space-time around us valid for all practical purposes. This last circumstance constitutes a profound mystery of modern physics better known as the cosmological constant problem. Preface " To the few who love me and whom I love – to those who feel rather than to those who think – to the dreamers and those who put faith in dreams as in the only realities – I offer this Book of Truths, not in its character of Truth-Teller, but for the Beauty that abounds in its Truth; constituting it true. To these I present the composition as an Art-Product alone; let us say as a Romance; or, if I be not urging too lofty a claim, as a Poem. What I here propound is true: – therefore it cannot die: – or if by any means it be now trodden down so that it die, it will rise again " to the Life Everlasting. " Nevertheless, it is a poem only that I wish this work to be judged after I am dead " [1].