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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author speculates humorously that geniuses might have been copying ideas from the future rather than being superhuman.
In plain terms
Maybe geniuses stole ideas from the future.
What can you take from it?
Innovation might come from accessing knowledge we don't understand yet.

Where it applies

  • discussing creativity
  • theorizing about genius
  • joking about history

Putting it to work

  • exploring creative processes
  • discussing originality
  • joking about history

Questions to consider

  • What makes someone a genius?
  • Where do ideas come from?

Another view

It treats historical achievement as speculation without evidence.

More from Kurt Vonnegut

  1. If God were alive today, he would have to be an atheist, because the excrement has hit the air-conditioning big time, big time.

    Permalink to quote #199
  2. Old Norwegian Proverb: Swedes have short dicks but long memories.

    Permalink to quote #201
  3. What is it, what can it possibly be about blowjobs and golf?

    Permalink to quote #198

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