Skip to content
quotesby

This has not been a scientist's war; it has been a war in which all have had a part. The scientists, burying their old professional competition in the demand of a common cause, have shared greatly and learned much. It has been exhilarating to work in effective partnership. Now, for many, this appears to be approaching an end. What are the scientists to do next?

Vannevar Bush#3

ScienceFutureCollaborationCommunityWar

About this quote

What does it mean?
During the war, scientists cooperated for a common cause, which was exhilarating. Now that it is ending, scientists wonder what to do next.
In plain terms
Scientists worked together well during the war, but now they wonder how to continue.
What can you take from it?
Collaboration in wartime is effective but its end creates uncertainty.

Where it applies

  • scientific community
  • post-war planning
  • team leadership

Putting it to work

  • maintain partnerships
  • define new goals
  • transition research

Questions to consider

  • How do you work after a big project?
  • What is your next goal?

Another view

Collaboration can continue in peacetime too.

More from Vannevar Bush

  1. As long as scientists are free to pursue the truth wherever it may lead, there will be a flow of new scientific knowledge to those who can apply it to practica…

    Permalink to quote #2
  2. There is a growing mountain of research. But there is increased evidence that we are being bogged down today as specialization extends. The investigator is sta…

    Permalink to quote #4
  3. The pioneer spirit is still vigorous within this nation. Science offers a largely unexplored hinterland for the pioneer who has the tools for his task. The rew…

    Permalink to quote #1

Related quotes

  1. All scientific men will be delighted to extend their warmest congratulations to Tesla and to express their appreciation of his great contributions to science.

    Ernest RutherfordErnest Rutherford quote #5
  2. We have known the bitterness of defeat and the exultation of triumph, and from both we have learned there can be no turning back. We must go forward to preserv…

    Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur quote #14
  3. This is a massive and violent schism and rupture in the internal organs of today's global culture and this is exactly why many social analysts believe that if …

    Ken WilberKen Wilber quote #25