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About this quote

What does it mean?
Focus on whether systems work rather than their underlying theories.
In plain terms
If it works, the theory doesn't matter.
What can you take from it?
Trust practical results over theory.

Where it applies

  • maintenance
  • troubleshooting
  • management

Putting it to work

  • test systems
  • fix issues
  • trust results

Questions to consider

  • Does theory matter for fixes?
  • How to judge success?

Another view

Theory is needed to improve or explain systems.

More from Robert A. Heinlein

  1. Every law that was ever written opened up a new way to graft.

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  2. Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalizing animal.

    Permalink to quote #9
  3. The whole principle is wrong. It's like demanding that grown men live on skim milk because the baby can't have steak.

    Permalink to quote #6

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