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About this quote

What does it mean?
We can't imagine future space discoveries now, just as a fish can't imagine fire or electricity.
In plain terms
Future space discoveries are as unimaginable to us as fire would be to a fish.
What can you take from it?
Stay open to discoveries we cannot yet conceive.

Where it applies

  • scientific research
  • space missions
  • innovation planning

Putting it to work

  • fund basic research
  • avoid limiting predictions

Questions to consider

  • What current technologies would your ancestors not understand?
  • How do we prepare for the unimaginable?

Another view

It does not help us plan for specific near-term risks.

More from Arthur C. Clarke

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  3. When you are next out of doors on a summer night, turn your head towards the zenith. Almost vertically above you will be shining the brightest star of the nort…

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