What is your FAVORITE SCIENTIFIC QUOTE?

tincanonastring
tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
So, what's your favorite quote about science? You know, that quote that opens your eyes to the glorious magnificence of the universe and all the random interactions that have led us to this point.

For what it's worth, I don't think you can ever go wrong with:

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Replies

  • bamagrits15
    bamagrits15 Posts: 131 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel
  • diespel
    diespel Posts: 700
    As god is my witness, I thought Turkeys could fly - Arthur Carlson

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf3mgmEdfwg
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.
  • JojoW8183
    JojoW8183 Posts: 540 Member
    For me it's not quotes but two "speeches"

    https://www.youtube.com/embed/9D05ej8u-gU?list=PLxWXd0lIGX8mimg6Vbqhm_aQYJoOuDLDT

  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    For me it's not quotes but two "speeches"

    https://www.youtube.com/embed/9D05ej8u-gU?list=PLxWXd0lIGX8mimg6Vbqhm_aQYJoOuDLDT


    I'll have to watch these when I get home. Thanks!
  • scrapalooza
    scrapalooza Posts: 335 Member
    It is a scientific fact that your body will not absorb cholesterol if you take it from another person's plate.

    Dave Barry

    lol
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    I'm partial to, "Heisenberg may have slept here"
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    I'm partial to, "Heisenberg may have slept here"

    This makes me giggle...wait, no it doesn't...wait, yes it does....
  • Jennifer10723
    Jennifer10723 Posts: 374 Member
    A body in motion stays in motion .. a body at rest stays at rest
  • CJisinShape
    CJisinShape Posts: 1,404 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    Yeah, that's what the doctors said to people who mentioned that the Bible says they need to wash after coming in contact with blood or semen. Prior to the acceptance of germ theory, doctors regularly spread gangrene and other diseases by not washing between surgeries and delivering babies. Such antiquated views, the learned men pontificated, washing! What anti-science claptrap!
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    As god is my witness, I thought Turkeys could fly - Arthur Carlson

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf3mgmEdfwg

    Best. Episode. Ever.
  • "Should we force science down the throats of those that have no taste for it? Is it our duty to drag them kicking and screaming into the twenty-first century ? I am afraid that it is."

    — George Porter

    "You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit the views, which can be uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering."

    — The Doctor
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    IDK if this counts but I've always liked it. And the forums here make me think of it often. :laugh:

    "Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by a false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge." --Issac Asimov
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    Yeah, that's what the doctors said to people who mentioned that the Bible says they need to wash after coming in contact with blood or semen. Prior to the acceptance of germ theory, doctors regularly spread gangrene and other diseases by not washing between surgeries and delivering babies. Such antiquated views, the learned men pontificated, washing! What anti-science claptrap!

    Yay! More apologetic nonsense! Please cite your sources, good sir (or ma'am)!
  • Riffraft1960
    Riffraft1960 Posts: 1,984 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    So the idea that for every effect there must be a cause is not scientific? cause-effect, co-relation vs causal, etc. are all concepts used by science to develop theories, etc. I'm assuming that Strobel must be a Christian Apologist, for you to be so vehement in your response to the poster. I also noticed you did not respond in kind to the others who quoted non-scientist and/or scientific quotes. I didn't see "Arthur from WKRP in Cincinnati is a TV character on a sitcom, not a scientist on a documentary and is not science, It is comedy writer's anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic."

    Methinks thou dost protest too much - William Shakespeare


    Oops, that wasn't scientific either.
  • infinitevast
    infinitevast Posts: 875 Member
    "For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love." - Carl Sagan
  • AglaeaC
    AglaeaC Posts: 1,974 Member
    I have two, both by Einstein:

    "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."

    "If there is any religion that could respond to the needs of modern science, it would be Buddhism."
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    So the idea that for every effect there must be a cause is not scientific? cause-effect, co-relation vs causal, etc. are all concepts used by science to develop theories, etc. I'm assuming that Strobel must be a Christian Apologist, for you to be so vehement in your response to the poster. I also noticed you did not respond in kind to the others who quoted non-scientist and/or scientific quotes. I didn't see "Arthur from WKRP in Cincinnati is a TV character on a sitcom, not a scientist on a documentary and is not science, It is comedy writer's anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic."

    Methinks thou dost protest too much - William Shakespeare


    Oops, that wasn't scientific either.

    I would have called out the WKRP piece if it was anti-science, just as I did with the Strobel quote. Also, point of order, the quote itself is wrong. The idea of a finite universe is actually hotly debated amongst cosmologists. However, as with all apologists, Strobel is misrepresenting the facts of the case in order to support a preconceived notion. If the poster would like to point me toward apologist science that is actually, well, science, I'd be happy to look at its merit.

    ETA: You've misused the "protest too much" quote. I don't think it means what you think it means...
  • George_Baileys_Ghost
    George_Baileys_Ghost Posts: 1,524 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    Okay, so wait. A person can ask for favorite Bible verses and people can hijack the hell out of it, but you expect people to stay on topic when you're posting an opposition thread? And to be fair, you asked for quotes about science, which the above poster shared. If you want statements of scientific fact, and only that, then be more concise with your original post.

    But to respond to the original post, I'd have to say mine is Sagan's "Little Blue Dot" speech.

    ETA: DOH! As the OP pointed out, it's Pale Blue Dot....*covers face in shame* and to think I just posted a blog about it yesterday....
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    Okay, so wait. A person can ask for favorite Bible verses and people can hijack the hell out of it, but you expect people to stay on topic when you're posting an opposition thread? And to be fair, you asked for quotes about science, which the above poster shared. If you want statements of scientific fact, and only that, then be more concise with your original post.

    But to respond to the original post, I'd have to say mine is Sagan's "Little Blue Dot" speech.

    The "stay on topic" bit actually started out as a joke (in my head) based on the other thread, but apologists really grind my gears, so it came out a lot more judgemental than I originally intended. Still, science calls for rigorous debate, so yeah, I'm okay with it in the end.

    ETA: I love the Pale Blue Dot piece as well. Great quote!
  • George_Baileys_Ghost
    George_Baileys_Ghost Posts: 1,524 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    Okay, so wait. A person can ask for favorite Bible verses and people can hijack the hell out of it, but you expect people to stay on topic when you're posting an opposition thread? And to be fair, you asked for quotes about science, which the above poster shared. If you want statements of scientific fact, and only that, then be more concise with your original post.

    But to respond to the original post, I'd have to say mine is Sagan's "Little Blue Dot" speech.

    The "stay on topic" bit actually started out as a joke (in my head) based on the other thread, but apologists really grind my gears, so it came out a lot more judgemental than I originally intended. Still, science calls for rigorous debate, so yeah, I'm okay with it in the end.

    Fair enough. :drinker:
  • CompressedCarbon
    CompressedCarbon Posts: 357 Member
    As god is my witness, I thought Turkeys could fly - Arthur Carlson

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf3mgmEdfwg

    This makes me laugh every time.
  • DamePiglet
    DamePiglet Posts: 3,730 Member
    in... for later. heeheehee
  • CJisinShape
    CJisinShape Posts: 1,404 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    Yeah, that's what the doctors said to people who mentioned that the Bible says they need to wash after coming in contact with blood or semen. Prior to the acceptance of germ theory, doctors regularly spread gangrene and other diseases by not washing between surgeries and delivering babies. Such antiquated views, the learned men pontificated, washing! What anti-science claptrap!

    Yay! More apologetic nonsense! Please cite your sources, good sir (or ma'am)!

    Leviticus 15
    Very detailed information about discharge, pus, blood, saliva and semen. It even goes so far as to say that earthen vessels touched by discharge is to be broken, but wood can be cleaned. Even then, before mankind knew of germs, they were given instructions on handling contagious materials, to the point of microscopic pores in pottery that could harbor dormant viruses.

    Ah, but the arrogance of man! These scientific minded men "knew" for a "fact" disease had nothing to do with washing hands! So they went from dping autopsies to birthing babies without so much as s courteous glance at the wisdom of the One that created him.

    "The Science Book," 2001, UK, Weidenfeld & Nicolson
    It is a reference book of scientific discovery from 35,000 BC - 2000

    If you are more inclined to look it up online:

    Wikipedia germ theory of disease:
    "Ignaz Semmelweis
    Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian obstetrician working at the Vienna General Hospital (Allgemeines Krankenhaus) in 1847, when he noticed the dramatically high incidence of death from puerperal fever among women who delivered at the hospital with the help of the doctors and medical students. Births attended by the midwives were relatively safe. Investigating further, Semmelweis made the connection between puerperal fever and examinations of delivering women by doctors, and further realized that these physicians had usually come directly from autopsies. Asserting that puerperal fever was a contagious disease and that matter from autopsies were implicated in its development, Semmelweis made doctors wash their hands with chlorinated lime water before examining pregnant women, thereby reducing mortality from childbirth from 18% to 2.2% at his hospital. Nevertheless, he and his theories were rejected by most of the contemporary medical establishment."
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    Virtually every scientist now concedes that universe and time itself had beginning. So, whatever begins to exist has a cause. The universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe must have had a cause. ~Lee Strobel

    Apologetics is not science. It's Christian anti-science claptrap. Please try to stay on topic.

    Yeah, that's what the doctors said to people who mentioned that the Bible says they need to wash after coming in contact with blood or semen. Prior to the acceptance of germ theory, doctors regularly spread gangrene and other diseases by not washing between surgeries and delivering babies. Such antiquated views, the learned men pontificated, washing! What anti-science claptrap!

    Yay! More apologetic nonsense! Please cite your sources, good sir (or ma'am)!

    Leviticus 15
    Very detailed information about discharge, pus, blood, saliva and semen. It even goes so far as to say that earthen vessels touched by discharge is to be broken, but wood can be cleaned. Even then, before mankind knew of germs, they were given instructions on handling contagious materials, to the point of microscopic pores in pottery that could harbor dormant viruses.

    Ah, but the arrogance of man! These scientific minded men "knew" for a "fact" disease had nothing to do with washing hands! So they went from dping autopsies to birthing babies without so much as s "courteous glance at the wisdom of the One that created him."

    "The Science Book," 2001, UK, Weidenfeld & Nicolson
    It is a reference book of scientific discovery from 35,000 BC - 2000

    If you are more inclined to look it up online:

    Wikipedia germ theory of disease:
    "Ignaz Semmelweis
    Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian obstetrician working at the Vienna General Hospital (Allgemeines Krankenhaus) in 1847, when he noticed the dramatically high incidence of death from puerperal fever among women who delivered at the hospital with the help of the doctors and medical students. Births attended by the midwives were relatively safe. Investigating further, Semmelweis made the connection between puerperal fever and examinations of delivering women by doctors, and further realized that these physicians had usually come directly from autopsies. Asserting that puerperal fever was a contagious disease and that matter from autopsies were implicated in its development, Semmelweis made doctors wash their hands with chlorinated lime water before examining pregnant women, thereby reducing mortality from childbirth from 18% to 2.2% at his hospital. Nevertheless, he and his theories were rejected by most of the contemporary medical establishment."

    Thanks. I'll look at it when I get home. While I'm waiting to get there, could you explain to me how they knew about microscopic pores in pottery but didn't understand that wood is permeable and can just as easily harbor infectious bacteria?
  • I cannot change the laws of physics, Captain! A've got to have thirty minutes.

    This is real science!!
  • infinitevast
    infinitevast Posts: 875 Member
    The amazing thing is that every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. And, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust. You couldn’t be here if stars hadn’t exploded, because the elements - the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, all the things that matter for evolution - weren’t created at the beginning of time. They were created in the nuclear furnaces of stars, and the only way they could get into your body is if those stars were kind enough to explode. So, forget Jesus. The stars died so that you could be here today. - Lawrence Krauss
  • tincanonastring
    tincanonastring Posts: 3,944 Member
    The amazing thing is that every atom in your body came from a star that exploded. And, the atoms in your left hand probably came from a different star than your right hand. It really is the most poetic thing I know about physics: You are all stardust. You couldn’t be here if stars hadn’t exploded, because the elements - the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, all the things that matter for evolution - weren’t created at the beginning of time. They were created in the nuclear furnaces of stars, and the only way they could get into your body is if those stars were kind enough to explode. So, forget Jesus. The stars died so that you could be here today. - Lawrence Krauss

    That's a great one, and it always blows my mind!
  • jacques57
    jacques57 Posts: 2,129 Member
    “No Geologist worth anything is permanently bound to a desk or laboratory, but the charming notion that true science can only be based on unbiased observation of nature in the raw is mythology. Creative work, in geology and anywhere else, is interaction and synthesis: half-baked ideas from a bar room, rocks in the field, chains of thought from lonely walks, numbers squeezed from rocks in a laboratory, numbers from a calculator riveted to a desk, fancy equipment usually malfunctioning on expensive ships, cheap equipment in the human cranium, arguments before a road cut.”
    ― Stephen Jay Gould, An Urchin in the Storm: Essays about Books and Ideas
  • jlahorn
    jlahorn Posts: 377 Member
    I wish this were worded more succinctly, but it amuses me none the less :)

    False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long; but false views, if supported by some evidence, do little harm, for every one takes a salutary pleasure in proving their falseness. ~ Charles Darwin


    In other words, everyone enjoys a little scientific smackdown.