--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Destroy knowledge?\" I said. \"The only…" description: "\"“Destroy knowledge?\" I said. \"The only point of existence, if there is one at all, is in the accumulation of the collective intelligence of the sentien..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/a-lee-martinez-11831_collective-intellige_destroy-knowledge-i-said-the-only-point_2322322.png" --- # Destroy knowledge?" I said. "The only point of existence… ![“Destroy knowledge?" I said. "The only point of existence, if there is one at all, is in the accumulation of the collective intelligence of the sentient beings of the universe." "Even dangerous intelligence?" "Intelligence is neutral. Application is everything." She sighed. "Says the evil genius."…” quote by A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/a-lee-martinez-11831_collective-intellige_destroy-knowledge-i-said-the-only-point_2322322.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/a-lee-martinez-11831_collective-intellige_destroy-knowledge-i-said-the-only-point_2322322.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/a-lee-martinez-11831_collective-intellige_destroy-knowledge-i-said-the-only-point_2322322.png) > ““Destroy knowledge?" I said. "The only point of existence, if there is one at all, is in the accumulation of the collective intelligence of the sentient beings of the universe." "Even dangerous intelligence?" "Intelligence is neutral. Application is everything." She sighed. "Says the evil genius." "Evil is a relative term.”” [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) ## 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 argues that existence’s purpose is to gather collective intelligence, and that intelligence itself is neutral; only its uses determine good or evil. **In simple terms:** Purpose is gathering shared knowledge; intelligence is neutral. Key Takeaway Focus on building shared knowledge, not fearing intelligence. Themes knowledge intelligence ethics purpose Mood thoughtful optimistic cautious Type philosophical inspirational ethical When to use this quote - research collaborations - AI development - education policy - global problem solving - ethical review boards Key Concepts collective intelligence neutrality application relativism Questions to Reflect On - How do we ensure collective intelligence benefits all? - What safeguards prevent harmful applications? A Different Perspective Intelligence can be misused, and “neutral” may ignore inherent biases in data or creators. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Collective intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collective-intelligence/) [Destroy Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroy-knowledge-3288378/) [Evil genius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-genius/) [Genius Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genius-evil-3155679/) [Intelligence Neutral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence-neutral-5556284/) [Intelligence Sentient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence-sentient-5556285/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Says Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/says-evil-931876/) ## Related quotes > [There is no such thing as an evil genius, as evil in it's self is stupidity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-farland/there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-evil-genius-as-evil-in-it-s-self-is/) [David Farland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-farland/) > [Isis want to destroy the knowledge that Islam is a beautiful, scientific and intelligent culture, and we are way ahead of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-boyle/isis-want-to-destroy-the-knowledge-that-islam-is-a-beautiful/) [Frankie Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-boyle/) > [Suppose that we are wise enough to learn and know - and yet not wise enough to control our learning and knowledge, so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/suppose-that-we-are-wise-enough-to-learn-and-know-and-yet-not-wise-2/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [Find good in what the world says is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/find-good-in-what-the-world-says-is-evil/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“You know the word “live,” meaning to be in the state of living. Let’s look at this word in a mirror. What does the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-the-word-live-meaning-to-be-in-the-state-of-living-let-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Just say “no” to bad attitudes. They may say you are “nobody”. Yes! That’s who you are; a “body” that says “no” to evil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/just-say-no-to-bad-attitudes-they-may-say-you-are-nobody-yes-that-s/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away in his heart. An evil man says evil things.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-quy/a-good-man-says-good-things-these-come-from-the-good-that-is-put-away/) [Roger Quy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-quy/) > [My husband, Andrius, says that evil will rule until good men or women choose to act. I believe him. This testimony was written to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruta-sepetys/my-husband-andrius-says-that-evil-will-rule-until-good-men-or-women/) [Ruta Sepetys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruta-sepetys/) > [The Bible says that evil cannot be negotiated with. It has to just be stopped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/the-bible-says-that-evil-cannot-be-negotiated-with-it-has-to-just-be/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [We shouldn’t,” protested Isabelle. “The Clave has a plan.” “The Clave has the collective intelligence of a pineapple,” said Jace. Alec blinked up at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-shouldn-t-protested-isabelle-the-clave-has-a-plan-the-clave-has/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“When the underlying dream changes, when we successfully remove the blinders of the old cosmological conditioning, we will be able to apply our collective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-mctear/when-the-underlying-dream-changes-when-we-successfully-remove-the/) [Amy McTear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-mctear/) > [We are moving towards a new form of collective intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mcgonigal/we-are-moving-towards-a-new-form-of-collective-intelligence/) [Jane McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mcgonigal/) > [“Gamers who have grown up being intensely engaged by well-designed virtual environments are hungry for better forms of engagement in their real lives. They’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mcgonigal/gamers-who-have-grown-up-being-intensely-engaged-by-well-designed/) [Jane McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mcgonigal/) > [“Humans are distinguished further by the highly effective way in which they have pooled the individual intelligence of single individuals to produce a collective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/humans-are-distinguished-further-by-the-highly-effective-way-in-which/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [When a species wants to tap the collective intelligence of a population, they don't take a poll; they don't take a vote. They form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/when-a-species-wants-to-tap-the-collective-intelligence-of-a/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) ## More by A. Lee Martinez > [“Humans... You want a nice warm hug from a cold, indifferent universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/humans-you-want-a-nice-warm-hug-from-a-cold-indifferent-universe/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [In the middle of nowhere, along a quiet stretch of road, the diner dreamt of the hungry dead. And of two men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/in-the-middle-of-nowhere-along-a-quiet-stretch-of-road-the-diner/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“All things exist in as simple a form as necessity dictates. When a thing is labeled 'complex,' that's just a roundabout way of saying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/all-things-exist-in-as-simple-a-form-as-necessity-dictates-when-a/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“She stopped shrieking after a moment. It wasn't the crazy looks she drew from the other pedestrians that made her stop. And her damaged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/she-stopped-shrieking-after-a-moment-it-wasn-t-the-crazy-looks-she/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“You’re unlikely to find death anywhere near a tomb.  Everyone there is already dead. Death’s business is among the living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/you-re-unlikely-to-find-death-anywhere-near-a-tomb-everyone-there-is/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“Quiet fell upon the pickup and lasted for a little over nineteen minutes. Is that why you hang around with him?", Loretta asked. "Cuz…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/quiet-fell-upon-the-pickup-and-lasted-for-a-little-over-nineteen/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [Quiet descended, a silence so consuming that even the drafty corridors ceased whistling. Bog wasn't certain where to look, so he solved the problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/quiet-descended-a-silence-so-consuming-that-even-the-drafty-corridors/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“Vance shook his head. "Philly, I love you, buddy. I do. But you're not my type." "I'm not?" "What? Are you insulted?" Philip was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/vance-shook-his-head-philly-i-love-you-buddy-i-do-but-you-re-not-my/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“He’d discovered that most of the terrors that stalked the night weren’t really terrors at all. They were mostly like regular folks, just trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/he-d-discovered-that-most-of-the-terrors-that-stalked-the-night-weren/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“Do these robots looked armed? And I was talking to the dinosaur. Were you worried he would discuss me to death?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/do-these-robots-looked-armed-and-i-was-talking-to-the-dinosaur-were/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“The universe was filled with secrets, and he understood now that one of the biggest was that no one needed to know them all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/the-universe-was-filled-with-secrets-and-he-understood-now-that-one/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“Music has always been the greatest expression of mortal philosophy," continued Lucky. "The path to enlightenment is found in the lyrics of Spinal Tap.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/music-has-always-been-the-greatest-expression-of-mortal-philosophy/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“Vance took the news of their "big-city fellows" status better than Philip. Probably because it turned out that he was actually gay. "You're what?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/vance-took-the-news-of-their-big-city-fellows-status-better-than/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [“When you cross over into the weird stuff, there's no going back. Hector has a theory on it. Calls it the law of 'Anomalous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/when-you-cross-over-into-the-weird-stuff-there-s-no-going-back-hector/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) > [To worry is to acknowledge that the world is unpredictable, and there is power in understanding one's own powerlessness at times. But too often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-lee-martinez/to-worry-is-to-acknowledge-that-the-world-is-unpredictable-and-there/) [A. Lee Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) [Explore all 57 A. Lee Martinez quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-lee-martinez/) ## More Collective intelligence quotes > [“Humans are distinguished further by the highly effective way in which they have pooled the individual intelligence of single individuals to produce a collective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/humans-are-distinguished-further-by-the-highly-effective-way-in-which/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [“Gamers who have grown up being intensely engaged by well-designed virtual environments are hungry for better forms of engagement in their real lives. They’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mcgonigal/gamers-who-have-grown-up-being-intensely-engaged-by-well-designed/) [Jane McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mcgonigal/) > [We are moving towards a new form of collective intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-mcgonigal/we-are-moving-towards-a-new-form-of-collective-intelligence/) [Jane McGonigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-mcgonigal/) > [We shouldn’t,” protested Isabelle. “The Clave has a plan.” “The Clave has the collective intelligence of a pineapple,” said Jace. Alec blinked up at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-shouldn-t-protested-isabelle-the-clave-has-a-plan-the-clave-has/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When a species wants to tap the collective intelligence of a population, they don't take a poll; they don't take a vote. They form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-b-rosenberg/when-a-species-wants-to-tap-the-collective-intelligence-of-a/) [Louis B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-b-rosenberg/) > [“When the underlying dream changes, when we successfully remove the blinders of the old cosmological conditioning, we will be able to apply our collective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-mctear/when-the-underlying-dream-changes-when-we-successfully-remove-the/) [Amy McTear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-mctear/) > [Cultures are never merely intellectual constructs. They take form through the collective intelligence and memory, through a commonly held psychology and emotions, through spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/cultures-are-never-merely-intellectual-constructs-they-take-form/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [“Participating in class, doing your homework, and basically just having your shit together and doing what's got to be done shouldn't be seen as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-neik/participating-in-class-doing-your-homework-and-basically-just-having/) [Joshua Neik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-neik/) > [To overcome our biological limitations as individuals, we have co-evolved collective systems and capacities - cultural, social, economic, political, scientific, media, educational, public relations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-atlee/to-overcome-our-biological-limitations-as-individuals-we-have-co/) [Tom Atlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-atlee/) > [“When people's faith in the collective intelligence increases, falls to the same extent their own individual sense of responsibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-z-riffi/when-people-s-faith-in-the-collective-intelligence-increases-falls-to/) [M.Z.Riffi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-z-riffi/) > [“The Clave has the collective intelligence of a pineapple”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jace-lightwood-city-of-heavenly-fire/the-clave-has-the-collective-intelligence-of-a-pineapple/) [Jace Lightwood- City of Heavenly Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jace-lightwood-city-of-heavenly-fire/) > [Collective Intelligence (CI) is the capacity of human collectives to engage in intellectual cooperation in order to create, innovate, and invent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-levy/collective-intelligence-ci-is-the-capacity-of-human-collectives-to/) [Pierre Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-levy/) > [“The collective intelligence of the humanity is the sole result of human inquiry. It is through reason and the exercise of a free mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stefanelli/the-collective-intelligence-of-the-humanity-is-the-sole-result-of/) [Al Stefanelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stefanelli/) > [“Each page in a book will discover other pages and other books. Thus books will seep out of their bindings and weave themselves together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kelly/each-page-in-a-book-will-discover-other-pages-and-other-books-thus/) [Kevin Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kelly/) > [“Real communication among singularities in networks thus requires an encampment. This is the kind of self-learning experience and knowledge production that takes place, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hardt/real-communication-among-singularities-in-networks-thus-requires-an/) [Michael Hardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hardt/) [Browse all 27 Collective intelligence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collective-intelligence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Destroy knowledge?\" I said. \"The only point of existence, if there is one at all, is in the accumulation of the collective intelligence of the sentient beings of the universe.\" \"Even dangerous intelligence?\" \"Intelligence is neutral. Application is everything.\" She sighed. \"Says the evil genius.\" \"Evil is a relative term.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "A. 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