Tribute is given to the personality and the work of Dr. S. Srinivasan. A discussion of the different time scales at which electrode processes take place, and the consequence of this on the interpretation of the mechanism of electrode reactions are discussed. One of the tenets of the Marcus theory of electron transfer is the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, namely the fact that electron transfer if extremely fast compared to the movement of nuclei. The consequence of this principle is discussed for complex electrode reactions. of primarily two types: (a) the formation of unstable intermediates, which are assumed to be stabilized by adsorption (b) metal deposition and dissolution. In both cases electron transfer would lead to the formation of highly unstable intermediates. Thus, although the final state can be quite stable, a mechanism involving electron transfer is not likely to be followed.