One of the greatest threats to mankind today is that the world may be choked by an explosively pervading but well camouflaged bureaucracy.
Interpretation
Bureaucracy can stifle progress and suffocate innovation if left unchecked.
Norman Borlaug's quote highlights the dangers of pervasive bureaucracy in society, suggesting that it can become an insidious force that hampers human advancement and creativity. The 'well camouflaged' nature of this bureaucracy implies that people may not even recognize the ways it can constrain freedom and effectiveness, leading to stagnation in various sectors.
In practice
In a speech on the importance of innovation in business, this quote serves as a warning against excessive bureaucracy.
During the past three years spectacular progress has been made in increasing wheat, rice, and maize production in several of the most populous developing countries of southern Asia, where widespread famine appeared inevitable only five years ago
We must recognize the fact that adequate food is only the first requisite for life. For a decent and humane life, we must also provide an opportunity for good education, remunerative employment, comfortable housing, good clothing, and effective and compassionate medical care.
We are 6.6 billion people now. We can only feed 4 billion. I don't see 2 billion volunteers to disappear.
Nevertheless, the number of farmers, small as well as large, who are adopting the new seeds and new technology is increasing very rapidly, and the increase in numbers during the past three years has been phenomenal.
Africa needs roads. Roads bring know-how and fertilizer to farmers and ideas and business for commerce.
This is a basic problem, to feed 6.6 billion people. Without fertilizer, forget it. The game is over.
[W]hen the empirical investigator glories in his refusal to go beyond the specialized observation dictated by the traditions of his discipline, be they ever so inclusive, he is making a virtue out of a defense mechanism which insures him against questioning his presuppositions.
In the 21st century, we can't create security by building walls.
It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.
Every generation gets the Constitution that it deserves. As the central preoccupations of an era make their way into the legal system, the Supreme Court eventually weighs in, and nine lawyers in robes become oracles of our national identity.
It is the eve of St. George's Day. Do you not know that tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway?
If the end of the twentieth century can be characterized by futurism, the twenty-first can be defined by presentism.
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