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About this quote

What does it mean?
Atomic energy is seen as impractical and expectations for it as a power source are dismissed.
In plain terms
He thinks using atoms for power is a fantasy.
What can you take from it?
Be skeptical of hype around new energy sources.

Where it applies

  • energy debates
  • scientific forecasting

Putting it to work

  • evaluate new tech critically

Questions to consider

  • Which scientific predictions turned out wrong?
  • How do you judge new tech?

Another view

Atomic power later proved viable, showing this view was wrong.

More from Ernest Rutherford

  1. That's the last potato I will ever dig.

    Permalink to quote #12
  2. The more physics you have the less engineering you need.

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. That man is an Euclidian point: position without substance.

    Permalink to quote #11

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