Do not imagine that mathematics is hard and crabbed, and repulsive to common sense. It is merely the etherealization of common sense.
Lord KelvinRead
Radio has no future." "X-rays are clearly a hoax". "The aeroplane is scientifically impossible.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the tendency to underestimate new technologies and innovations due to a lack of understanding or imagination.
Lord Kelvin's quote reflects the skepticism often encountered in the face of groundbreaking advancements in technology. It highlights how experts, even those with significant knowledge, can dismiss revolutionary ideas by viewing them through the lens of their existing understanding and experiences. This mindset can hinder progress and innovation as it prevents visionaries from pursuing ideas deemed impossible by conventional wisdom.
Themes
TechnologyInnovationSkepticismAdvancementCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker discussing the history of technology could reference this quote to illustrate how many innovations were once considered impossible.
More from Lord Kelvin
All quotes βWe only know God in His works, but we are forced by science to admit and to believe with absolute confidence in a Directive Power-in an influence other than physical, or dynamical, or electrical forces.
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In science there is only physics; all the rest is stamp collecting.
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There is nothing new to be discovered in physics now. All that remains is more and more precise measurement.
Lord KelvinRead
Let nobody be afraid of true freedom of thought. Let us be free in thought and criticism; but, with freedom, we are bound to come to the conclusion that science is not antagonistic to religion, but a help to it.
Lord KelvinRead
I need scarcely say that the beginning and maintenance of life on earth is absolutely and infinitely beyond the range of all sound speculation in dynamical science. The only contribution of dynamics to theoretical biology is absolute negation of automatic commencement or automatic maintenance of life.
Lord KelvinRead
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