There is not the slightest indication that [nuclear energy] will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Einstein expresses skepticism about controlling nuclear energy, stating it would require shattering atoms at will which seemed impossible then.
- In plain terms
- He doubted we could ever control nuclear power because splitting atoms seemed out of reach.
- What can you take from it?
- Scientific limits are often harder to predict than they seem.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What scientific limits seem impossible today?
- How do we judge feasibility?
Another view
He turned out wrong as nuclear power later became reality.
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