WIST Quotations

Rickover, Hyman -- Essay (1979-05-24), Statement before the Subcommittee on Energy Research and Production, Committee on Science and Technology, US House of Representatives

Dave — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:36:04 +0000

Another principle for successful application of a sophisticated technology is to resist the human inclination to hope that things will work out, despite evidence or suspicions to the contrary. This may seem obvious, but it is a human factor you must be conscious of and actively guard against. It can affect you in subtle ways, particularly when you have spent a lot of time and energy on a project and feel personally responsible for it, and thus somewhat possessive. It is a common human problem and it is not easy to admit what you thought was correct did not turn out that way.

Hyman Rickover (1900–1986) Polish-American naval engineer, admiral [b. Chaim Gdala Rykower]
Essay (1979-05-24), Statement before the Subcommittee on Energy Research and Production, Committee on Science and Technology, US House of Representatives
(Source)

Tuchman, Barbara -- The Guns of August (1962)

Dave — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:29:34 +0000

War is the unfolding of miscalculations.

Barbara W. Tuchman (1912–1989) American historian and author
The Guns of August (1962)

In Stilwell and the American Experience in China (1970), she gave this as "History is the unfolding of miscalculations."

Galbraith, John Kenneth -- A Life in Our Times, ch. 11 “The Dynamics of Error” (1981)

Dave — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:46:54 +0000

The experience of being disastrously wrong is salutary; no economist should be denied it, and not many are. The best, most elegant and most applauded designs can fail, and greatly to your surprise if, in persuading others of their excellence, you have persuaded yourself.

John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-American economist, diplomat, author
A Life in Our Times, ch. 11 “The Dynamics of Error” (1981)
(Source)