One critic complained to me that "Well, if you are right…
![“One critic complained to me that "Well, if you are right, we will have to rewrite the textbooks!" As if that were a bad thing ... [But], curiously, some of our most virulent critics are associated with NASA and the government. A NASA employee tells me that this attitude of opposition to impact…” quote by John Anthony West](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/f38/john-anthony-west-52277_bad-thing_one-critic-complained-to-me-that-well-if_1142735.jpg)
““One critic complained to me that "Well, if you are right, we will have to rewrite the textbooks!" As if that were a bad thing ... [But], curiously, some of our most virulent critics are associated with NASA and the government. A NASA employee tells me that this attitude of opposition to impact threats is entrenched in NASA and is only now slowly beginning to change. When it became obvious to NASA decades ago that asteroids and comets are a serious threat, their employees were instructed by top government officials to downplay the risk. The government was concerned that the populace would "panic" over space rocks and demand action, when NASA couldn't do anything about them and didn't want to admit it. Plus, trying to mitigate any impact hazards would have used up funding they wanted to put elsewhere.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote highlights how institutional fear of public panic can lead authorities to downplay serious scientific threats, prioritizing political comfort over safety.
In simple terms: Authorities may hide risks to avoid panic.
Key Takeaway
Demand transparency about scientific threats.
Themes
politics
science communication
risk management
Mood
skeptical
concerned
Type
critical
analytical
When to use this quote
- government policy meetings
- science conferences
- media interviews
- public education
- budget discussions
Key Concepts
institutional inertia
public perception
science denial
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure honest risk communication?
- What safeguards prevent political suppression of science?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overgeneralize NASA’s motives without full evidence.