Blow Quote by Carl Sagan
“We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Science Literacy, Carl Sagan, 1995
The quote warns that a society ignorant of science while holding power creates a dangerous mix that will eventually cause disaster.
In simple terms: Ignorance and power together are a ticking bomb.
Key Takeaway
Promote scientific literacy among leaders and public.
Themes
science
power
ignorance
danger
Mood
urgent
cautionary
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- government
- technology development
Key Concepts
knowledge
responsibility
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we improve public understanding of science?
- What safeguards prevent power from exploiting ignorance?
A Different Perspective
Complex problems may be oversimplified.
![“[ When a religious couple wrote to Sagan about fulfilled prophecies, he wrote back in May 1996 :] If ‘fulfilled prophecy’ is your criterion, why do you not believe in materialistic science, which has an unparalleled record of fulfilled prophecy? Consider, for example, eclipses.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/875/carl-sagan-160_belief_when-a-religious-couple-wrote-to-sagan-a_25095.jpg)
