You should never bet against anything in science at odds of more than about 10 or 12 to 1.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- In science, avoid bets where the odds exceed 10 or 12 to 1 against you.
- In plain terms
- Don't gamble on highly unlikely scientific outcomes.
- What can you take from it?
- Limit risk by avoiding low-probability bets.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is high risk worth it?
- How do you manage uncertainty?
Another view
High-risk bets sometimes lead to major breakthroughs.
More from Ernest Rutherford
We don't have the money, so we have to think. (or 'We didn't have the money, so we had to think.')
Permalink to quote #16 The only possible interpretation of any research whatever in the 'social sciences' is: some do, some don't.
Permalink to quote #15 The more physics you have the less engineering you need.
Permalink to quote #14
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