--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are in a comfortable Dark Ages of the…" description: "\"“We are in a comfortable Dark Ages of the inventive mind; institutions change but little, and that by gradual evolution rather than revolution; scienti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ed/dan-simmons-968_biology_we-are-in-a-comfortable-dark-ages-of-the_1985231.jpg" --- # We are in a comfortable Dark Ages of the inventive mind… ![“We are in a comfortable Dark Ages of the inventive mind; institutions change but little, and that by gradual evolution rather than revolution; scientific research creeps crablike in a lateral shuffle, where once it leaped in great intuitive bounds; devices change even less, plateau technologies…” quote by Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ed/dan-simmons-968_biology_we-are-in-a-comfortable-dark-ages-of-the_1985231.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ed/dan-simmons-968_biology_we-are-in-a-comfortable-dark-ages-of-the_1985231.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ed/dan-simmons-968_biology_we-are-in-a-comfortable-dark-ages-of-the_1985231.jpg) > ““We are in a comfortable Dark Ages of the inventive mind; institutions change but little, and that by gradual evolution rather than revolution; scientific research creeps crablike in a lateral shuffle, where once it leaped in great intuitive bounds; devices change even less, plateau technologies common to us would be instantly identifiable – and operable! – to our great-grandfathers.”” [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) ## 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 critiques modern scientific progress as slow, incremental, and constrained by institutional inertia, contrasting it with past rapid leaps in intuition and invention. **In simple terms:** Modern science moves slowly due to institutions, unlike past big breakthroughs. Key Takeaway Recognize and foster disruptive thinking. Themes innovation institutional inertia progress history technology Mood critical reflective concerned Type analytical philosophical critical When to use this quote - research funding - academic publishing - tech development - policy making - education reform Key Concepts incrementalism disruption creative stagnation Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions balance stability with radical innovation? - What mechanisms can accelerate intuitive breakthroughs? A Different Perspective May underestimate the value of gradual improvements that build essential foundations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Dark ages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-ages/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientific research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-research/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) ## Related quotes > [There is no monster more destructive than the inventive mind that has outstripped philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/there-is-no-monster-more-destructive-than-the-inventive-mind-that-has/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [“Who can explain just how he became the person he is? It does not happen this day or that one. 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