Quotes About Risk

Neither science, nor the politics in power, nor the mass media, nor business, nor the law nor even the military are in a position to define or control risks rationally.

I didn't think; I experimented.

If we have learned one thing from the history of invention and discovery, it is that, in the long run-and often in the short one-the most daring prophecies seem laughably conservative.

X-rays ... I am afraid of them. I stopped experimenting with them two years ago, when I came near to losing my eyesight and Dally, my assistant practically lost the use of both of his arms.

The gods do not protect fools. Fools are protected by more capable fools.

Some cures are worse than the dangers they combat.

Unix gives you just enough rope to hang yourself - and then a couple of more feet, just to be sure.

Discoveries that are anticipated are seldom the most valuable. ... It's the scientist free to pilot his vessel across hidden shoals into open seas who gives the best value.

Doctors can do almost anything nowadays, can't they, unless they kill you while they're trying to cure you.

Every judgment in science stands on the edge of error, and is personal.

One may say that predictions are dangerous particularly for the future. If the danger involved in a prediction is not incurred, no consequence follows and the uncertainty principle is not violated.

Now, being a science fiction writer, when I see a natural principle, I wonder if it could fail.

Without adventure civilization is in full decay. ... The great fact [is] that in their day the great achievements of the past were the adventures of the past.

Never fire a laser at a mirror.

Doing what has never been done before is intellectually seductive, whether or not we deem it practical.

Probability of human error is considerably higher than that of machine error.

Science is conservative and one of the reasons science is conservative is science is trying to play it safe.

The science is in: either we go cold turkey on our coal, oil, and gas addictions, or we risk raising the planet's temperature to a level incompatible with the continued existence of civilization.

You may reasonably expect a man to walk a tightrope safely for ten minutes; it would be unreasonable to do so without accident for two hundred years.

A theory which cannot be mortally endangered cannot be alive.

Spader and I were nearly killed. Three times. We were also robbed and witnessed a gruesome murder. Happy birthday to me!

Bombieri's Law: of Finance: Profits are on paper, losses are in cash

The tree of research must be fed from time to time with the blood of bean-counters, for it is its natural manure.

Bankers regard research as most dangerous a thing that makes banking hazardous due to the rapid changes it brings about in industry.