Books Quote by Alison Gopnik
““Literature is the equivalent of the climate scientist’s computer simulations: set up some new starting conditions, run the whole complicated process and see what happens.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Alison Gopnik, 2021, The New Yorker
Literature functions like a simulation, altering initial conditions to explore complex outcomes, mirroring scientific modeling.
In simple terms: Stories are experiments that test ideas.
Key Takeaway
Use narrative to explore possibilities.
Themes
creativity
simulation
storytelling
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing fiction
- educational design
- scenario planning
Key Concepts
literary theory
science philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What story could you run as a simulation?
- How does changing a character’s start affect the plot?
A Different Perspective
Narratives may oversimplify real-world complexity.
![“The most recent science including from Jim Hansen, the foremost climate scientist, suggests that we could see as much as, according to his study, meters' worth [of sea-level rise] - that is nine, 12, 15 and more - as soon as 50 years from his study.” quote by Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/713/jill-stein-660_climate_the-most-recent-science-including-from-j_394195.jpg)
