You will never stub your toe standing still. The faster you go, the more chance there is of stubbing your toe, but the more chance you have of getting somewhere.
Charles KetteringRead
You can send a message around the world in one-fifth of a second, yet it may take years for it to get from the outside of a man's head to the inside.
Interpretation
What this quote means
While technology allows instant communication, understanding and personal interpretation take much longer.
This quote by Charles Kettering emphasizes the contrast between the speed of modern communication and the often lengthy and complex process of understanding information. It highlights how, despite being able to send messages instantaneously across the world, the deeper comprehension of those messages can be hindered by personal experiences, biases, and emotional barriers, indicating that true understanding is far more intricate and time-consuming than mere transmission.
Themes
CommunicationUnderstandingTechnologyMessageInterpretation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of effective communication in relationships.
More from Charles Kettering
All quotes →It is the 'follow through' that makes the great difference between ultimate success and failure, because it is so easy to stop.
Charles KetteringRead
When I was research head of General Motors and wanted a problem solved, I'd place a table outside the meeting room with a sign: "Leave slide rules here." If I didn't do that, I'd find someone reaching for his slide rule. Then he'd be on his feet saying, "Boss, you can't do it."
Charles KetteringRead
A research problem is not solved by apparatus; it is solved in a man's head.
Charles KetteringRead
My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.
Charles KetteringRead
I often say that research is a way of finding out what you are going to do when you can't keep on doing what you are doing now.
Charles KetteringRead
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