Accidents Quote by Edwin Land
“In my opinion, neither organisms nor organizations evolve slowly and surely into something better, but drift until some small change occurs which has immediate and overwhelming significance. The special role of the human being is not to wait for these favorable accidents but deliberately to introduce the small change that will have great significance.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Innovation, 1970s
Human progress depends on intentional small changes rather than passive drift.
In simple terms: Small deliberate changes drive big impact.
Key Takeaway
Create and act on impactful small changes.
Themes
innovation
agency
change
human role
Mood
optimistic
determined
forward‑looking
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- personal development
- technology innovation
- policy reform
Key Concepts
Evolutionary dynamics
strategic intervention
impact theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What small change can you initiate today?
- How do you identify high‑impact opportunities?
A Different Perspective
Small changes may not always succeed; timing and context matter.
