That which is not measurable is not science. That which is not physics is stamp collecting.
Ernest RutherfordRead
The energy produced by the breaking down of the atom is a very poor kind of thing. Anyone who expects a source of power from the transformation of these atoms is talking moonshine.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Rutherford critiques the idea that nuclear energy can be a viable power source, suggesting it is unrealistic.
In this quote, Ernest Rutherford expresses skepticism about the potential of atomic energy as a feasible power source, describing it as 'moonshine'—a term implying that the ideas surrounding the transformation of atoms into energy are fanciful and impractical. He indicates that while nuclear reactions are scientifically fascinating, the application of this energy for practical power generation is misguided and not grounded in reality.
Themes
NuclearEnergyAtomPowerMoonshine
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about renewable resources, one might reference Rutherford's skepticism about nuclear energy.
More from Ernest Rutherford
All quotes →I am a great believer in the simplicity of things and as you probably know I am inclined to hang on to broad & simple ideas like grim death until evidence is too strong for my tenacity.
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All science is either physics or stamp collecting.
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Now I know what the atom looks like.
Ernest RutherfordRead
If your result needs a statistician then you should design a better experiment.
Ernest RutherfordRead
Should a young scientist working with me come to me after two years of such work and ask me what to do next, I would advise him to get out of science. After two years of work, if a man does not know what to do next, he will never make a real scientist.
Ernest RutherfordRead
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