Einstein was writing all this before modern quantum theory.
Today we know that the Aether is the quantum vacuum filled with virtual particles that are off mass-shell
i.e. E^2 =/= (pc)^2 + (mc^2)^2
Also contact forces are caused by off-mass shell virtual photons in the non-radiative near field including longitudinal polarizations absent in real photons on the mass shell (light cone).
Action at a distance is in the Wheeler-Feynman classical sense confined to the photon mass shell (aka light cone) but including advanced back from the future destiny waves generalized to "confirmation" quantum de Broglie waves by John Cramer in his TI. This is in addition to the more familiar retarded history waves.
de Broglie waves are faster than light in phase quantum information when m =/= 0 though slower than light in energy transport.
nonlocal EPR correlations are explained by retrocausal advanced confirmation destiny waves in the Feynman zig zag (term coined by O Costa de Beauregard).
On Jun 22, 2014, at 8:09 PM, Paul Zielinski