Any Quote by Henry Petroski
“Failures are much more dramatic than successes, and people like drama. I think this is why automobile races draw such crowds. People expect spectacular crashes, which we tend to find more interesting than cars just racing around the track. The same is true of bridges, buildings, or any structure or machine.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Why Buildings Fall Down by Henry Petroski, 1995
People are drawn to dramatic failures because they provide excitement and lessons, while steady success feels dull.
In simple terms: Failure is more exciting than success.
Key Takeaway
Embrace risk and learn from failures.
Themes
risk
learning
human nature
engineering
psychology
Mood
intrigued
reflective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- construction projects
- sports events
- product launches
- public safety campaigns
Key Concepts
catastrophe
attention
storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we make success as compelling as failure?
- What role does media play in glorifying disaster?
A Different Perspective
Success can be overlooked, leading to complacency.
![“Whether or not science can be applied to that mental construct [i.e. the designed entity] is a matter of availability. If there is body of scientific knowledge that can be applied, then it would be foolish not to exploit it. However, if there is none, it does not mean that the thing cannot be…” quote by Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/17d/henry-petroski-10198_availability_whether-or-not-science-can-be-applied-to_341822.jpg)
