'Once the rockets are up who cares where they come down that's not my department,' says Wernher von Braun.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Von Braun ironically dismisses responsibility for the consequences of rocket technology, highlighting bureaucratic compartmentalization.
- In plain terms
- Once rockets launch, the outcome doesn't matter to the engineer.
- What can you take from it?
- Specialization can lead to ignoring broader impacts.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who owns the outcome of a project?
- Can you separate work from impact?
Another view
Engineers often do bear moral responsibility for their creations.
More from Wernher von Braun
An outlook through this peephole [that manned space flight had opened] at the vast mysteries of the universe should only confirm our belief in the certainty of…
Permalink to quote #26 It takes sixty-five thousand errors before you are qualified to make a rocket.
Permalink to quote #25 With every new answer unfolded, science has consistently discovered at least three new questions.
Permalink to quote #24
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