WIST Quotations

Dyson, Freeman -- In Jon Else, dir., The Day After Trinity: J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb, Part 2 (1981)

Dave — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 17:47:03 +0000

I felt it myself. The glitter of nuclear weapons. It is irresistible if you come to them as a scientist. To feel it’s there in your hands, to release this energy that fuels the stars, to let it do your bidding. To perform these miracles, to lift a million tons of rock into the sky. It is something that gives people an illusion of illimitable power, and it is, in some ways, responsible for all our troubles — this, what you might call technical arrogance, that overcomes people when they see what they can do with their minds.

Freeman Dyson (1923–2020) English-American theoretical physicist, mathematician, futurist
In Jon Else, dir., The Day After Trinity: J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb, Part 2 (1981)
(Source)

(Source (Video)). Film written by David Peoples, Janet Peoples, and Jon Else.

Pratchett, Terry -- Post, alt.fan.pratchett (26 Aug 1998)

Dave — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 17:00:12 +0000

Eight years involved with the nuclear industry have taught me that when nothing can possible go wrong and every avenue has been covered, then is the time to buy a house on the next continent.

Terry Pratchett (1948–2015) English author
Post, alt.fan.pratchett (26 Aug 1998)
(Source)

Galbraith, John Kenneth -- The Affluent Society, ch. 25, sec. 3 (1958)

Dave — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:23:24 +0000

Private enterprise did not get us atomic energy.

John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-American economist, diplomat, author
The Affluent Society, ch. 25, sec. 3 (1958)

Einstein, Albert -- “Einstein on the Atomic Bomb,” Interview with Raymond Swing, Atlantic (Nov 1945)

Dave — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:05:28 +0000

Since I do not foresee that atomic energy will prove to be a boon within the near future, I have to say that, for the present, it is a menace. Perhaps it is well that it should be. It may intimidate the human race into bringing order to its international affairs, which, without the pressure of fear, undoubtedly would not happen.

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-American physicist
“Einstein on the Atomic Bomb,” Interview with Raymond Swing, Atlantic (Nov 1945)
(Source)

Adams, Scott -- Dilbert (11 Dec. 1995)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

WALLY: Stupidity is like nuclear power; it can be used for good or evil.
DILBERT: And you don’t want to get any on you.

Scott Adams (b. 1957) American cartoonist
Dilbert (11 Dec. 1995)