In our day we don't allow a hundred and thirty years to…
“In our day we don't allow a hundred and thirty years to elapse between glimpses of a marvel. If somebody should discover a creek in the county next to the one that the North Pole is in, Europe and America would start fifteen costly expeditions thither; one to explore the creek, and the other fourteen to hunt for each other.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human curiosity drives costly exploration, even for trivial discoveries.
In simple terms: People spend huge resources exploring minor wonders.
Key Takeaway
Balance curiosity with practical limits.
Themes
exploration
human nature
resource allocation
curiosity
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
critical
historical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- government policy
- travel planning
- budgeting
Key Concepts
economics
history
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- Should we limit exploration for trivial finds?
- What value does curiosity bring despite costs?
A Different Perspective
Over‑exploration can waste resources and cause harm.