Condensation Quote by Eugene Wigner
“There is no natural phenomenon that is comparable with the sudden and apparently accidentally timed development of science, except perhaps the condensation of a super-saturated gas or the explosion of some unpredictable explosives.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Symmetries and Reflections, 1967
Scientific breakthroughs occur suddenly and unpredictably, like a super‑saturated gas condensing or an explosive detonating.
In simple terms: Science can erupt unexpectedly.
Key Takeaway
Stay open to sudden discoveries.
Themes
science
unexpectedness
innovation
Mood
thoughtful
curious
Type
scientific
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research funding
- technology scouting
- risk assessment
- education curricula
Key Concepts
complex systems
emergence
Questions to Reflect On
- What conditions foster sudden scientific leaps?
- How can we prepare for unpredictable breakthroughs?
A Different Perspective
Not all scientific progress follows such dramatic metaphors.
