--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The argument is that we are influenced by…" description: "\"“The argument is that we are influenced by historical research.” Michael Simpson glanced over at Sophie before continuing. “When one commences an educa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0af/erik-hamre-44256_science_the-argument-is-that-we-are-influenced-b_828485.jpg" --- # The argument is that we are influenced by historical… ![“The argument is that we are influenced by historical research.” Michael Simpson glanced over at Sophie before continuing. “When one commences an education, to become say a physicist or a chemist in today’s society, one is automatically loaded up with all the accumulated knowledge of what is wrong…” quote by Erik Hamre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0af/erik-hamre-44256_science_the-argument-is-that-we-are-influenced-b_828485.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0af/erik-hamre-44256_science_the-argument-is-that-we-are-influenced-b_828485.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0af/erik-hamre-44256_science_the-argument-is-that-we-are-influenced-b_828485.jpg) > ““The argument is that we are influenced by historical research.” Michael Simpson glanced over at Sophie before continuing. “When one commences an education, to become say a physicist or a chemist in today’s society, one is automatically loaded up with all the accumulated knowledge of what is wrong and what is right. Many of the scientists thus have a very similar line of attack for new problems. And this colours our scientific progress. We advance, but only in small steps. True progress most often is made when some individual looks at a problem from a totally new angle, and that is hard when everybody has been through the same basic foundations. Take Albert Einstein. The revolutionary ideas he came up with weren’t the result of discussions with equal minded academics in the university hall. They were a result of Albert Einstein’s relentless pondering and single minded focus on theoretical abstractions, alone in a small crummy patent office in Switzerland, back in 1905. If Einstein at an early stage had discussed his ideas with colleagues at a university, there is a real danger he would have been set forth on a different line of thinking, and quite possibly we wouldn’t have the theory of relativity in the form we have it today.”” [Erik Hamre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-hamre/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relying on established knowledge can limit innovation; breakthroughs often need fresh, solitary thinking beyond prevailing paradigms. **In simple terms:** Following tradition can block new ideas; solitary work can spark breakthroughs. Key Takeaway Encourage independent, cross‑disciplinary thinking. Themes innovation education conformity Mood reflective critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - research labs - university curricula - startup environments - personal study - patent offices Key Concepts cognitive bias paradigm shift creative solitude Questions to Reflect On - How can institutions foster independent thought? - What structures protect novel perspectives? A Different Perspective Too much collaboration may dilute radical ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientific progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-progress/) [Small steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-steps/) ## Related quotes > [I think mistakes are the essence of science and law. 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