WIST Quotations

Dyson, Freeman -- Infinite in All Directions, Part 1, ch. 2 “Butterflies and Superstrings” (1988)

Dave — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 19:16:15 +0000

Scientifically speaking, a butterfly is at least as mysterious as a superstring. When something ceases to be mysterious it ceases to be of absorbing interest to scientists. Almost all things scientists think and dream about are mysterious.

Freeman Dyson (1923–2020) English-American theoretical physicist, mathematician, futurist
Infinite in All Directions, Part 1, ch. 2 “Butterflies and Superstrings” (1988)

Based on his Gifford Lectures, Aberdeen, Scotland (Apr-Nov 1985).

Raymond, Eric S. -- The Cathedral and the Bazaar, ch. 2, Rule 18 (1999)

Dave — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:53:02 +0000

To solve an interesting problem, start by finding a problem that is interesting to you.

Eric S. Raymond (b. 1957) American software developer, writer [a.k.a. ESR]
The Cathedral and the Bazaar, ch. 2, Rule 18 (1999)

Brenan, Gerald -- Thoughts in a Dry Season, “Life” (1978)

Dave — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 22:46:03 +0000

Everyone is a bore to someone. That is unimportant. The thing to avoid is being a bore to oneself.

Gerald Brenan (1894–1987) British writer and Hispanist [Edward FitzGerald Brenan]
Thoughts in a Dry Season, “Life” (1978)

Flaubert, Gustave -- Letter to Alfred Le Poittevin (16 Sep 1845)

Dave — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:00:40 +0000

Anything becomes interesting if you look at it long enough.

[Pour qu’une chose soit intéressante, il suffit de la regarder longtemps.]

Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880) French writer, novelist
Letter to Alfred Le Poittevin (16 Sep 1845)

Other translations: "To make something interesting, just look at it for a long time."

Butcher, Jim -- Death Masks (2003)

Dave — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:55:34 +0000

Life would be unbearably dull if we had answers to all our questions.

Jim Butcher (b. 1971) American author
Death Masks (2003)