The document at the end of this page contains some of my late friend Albert Frank's articles and puzzles. These articles and puzzles were meant to be published in an anthology that didn't come out, and he had already given permission for his work to be shared, retaining the copyright.
Years ago Albert also sent me this book as a gift. It illustrates how dangerous it is not to think with one's own head, so it is somehow related to Albert's motto (see file below). Although Albert and I were not on Facebook (anyone there with my name is not me), we valued real friendship and honesty very much. We used to talk about life in wonderful conversations we had. I do feel a terrible gap in High IQ Societies, particularly the ones we were both members of. Albert was also faithful to his friends and would NEVER have betrayed them.* He was not only a genius, but a wonderful, honest human being as well.
I thought I would share his work on my website because it is really great and it is otherwise not available anywhere online in its entirety (as far as I know), which is a real shame. I also own his books, but of course I cannot share them without his permission. You can still buy his books on Lulu, but obviously his bank account will have been deactivated. I still strongly recommend them!!!
Let's prove Mephistopheles in Faustus wrong:
Warum vorbei ?
Vorbei und reines Nicht, vollkommnes Einerlei!
Was soll uns denn das ew’ge Schaffen!
Geschaffenes zu nichts hinwegzuraffen!
‘Da ist’s vorbei!’ Was ist daran zu lesen?
Es ist so gut, als wär’ es nicht gewesen,
Und treibt sich doch im Kreis, als wenn es wäre.
Ich liebte mir dafür das Ewig-Leere.
(ll. 11596-11603)
How so then, gone?
Gone, to sheer Nothing, past with null made one!
What matters our creative endless toil,
When, at a snatch, oblivion ends the coil?
‘It is by-gone’ - How shall this riddle run?
As good as if things never had begun,
Yet circle back, existence to possess:
I’d rather have Eternal Emptiness.
Please do not distribute. Link to this page if you wish to share.
* Albert thought that "A friend is someone who has the same enemies as you have" (original quote by Abraham Lincoln).