Nuclear energy, in terms of an overall safety record, is better than other energy.
Bill GatesRead
We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don't let yourself be lulled into inaction.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People tend to expect too much change in the short term and too little in the long term, which can lead to inaction.
Bill Gates emphasizes the common human tendency to misjudge the pace of change, particularly in how we view short-term versus long-term changes. He warns against complacency and inaction, urging individuals to recognize the potential for significant transformation over a decade, which is often overlooked in favor of immediate expectations.
Themes
ChangeInfluenceProgressTimeAction
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about innovation in technology, this quote could be used to inspire proactive thinking.
More from Bill Gates
All quotes →The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.
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With the states release today of a set of clear and consistent academic standards, our nation is one step closer to supporting effective teaching in every classroom, charting a path to college and careers for all students, and developing the tools to help all children stay motivated and engaged in their own education. The more states that adopt these college and career based standards, the closer we will be to sharing innovation across state borders and becoming more competitive as a country.
Bill GatesRead
About three million computers get sold every year in China, people don't pay for the software. Someday they will, though. And as long as they're going to steal it, we want them to steal ours. They'll get sort of addicted, and then we'll somehow figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade.
Bill GatesRead
Internet TV and the move to the digital approach is quite revolutionary. TV has historically has been a broadcast medium with everybody picking from a very finite number of channels.
Bill GatesRead
These four policy prescriptions - strengthening educational opportunities, revamping immigration rules for highly skilled workers, increasing federal funding for basic scientific research, and providing incentives for private-sector R&D - should in my view be top priorities as Congress and the Administration consider how to maintain the nation's leadership in science, technology, and innovation.
Bill GatesRead
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Overcoming complacency is crucial at the start of any change process, and it often requires a little bit of surprise, something that grabs attention at more than an intellectual level. You need to surprise people with something that disturbs their view that everything is perfect.
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We are not converted only once in our lives but many times and this endless series of conversions and inner revolutions leads to our transformation.
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Race is the great taboo in our society. We are afraid to talk about it. White folks fear their unspoken views will be deemed racist. People of color are filled with sorrow and rage at unrighted wrongs. Drowning in silence, we are brothers and sisters drowning each other. Once we decide to transform ourselves from fearful caterpillars into courageous butterflies, we will be able to bridge the racial gulf and move forward together towards a bright and colorful future.
Eva PatersonRead