Curiosity Quote by Isaac Asimov
““The day of the week on which the tour took place was known to all workers. All devices in its path ought to have been carefully neutralized or locked, since it was unreasonable to expect human beings to withstand the temptation to handle knobs, keys, handles and pushbuttons.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Caves of Steel, Isaac Asimov, 1954
A warning that complex machinery must be secured to prevent accidental human interference.
In simple terms: Secure devices to protect people.
Key Takeaway
Implement safety locks.
Themes
safety
technology
human error
Mood
cautious
serious
Type
cautionary
technical
When to use this quote
- factory floors
- control rooms
- public spaces
- industrial equipment
Key Concepts
risk management
automation
design safety
Questions to Reflect On
- How can design deter curiosity?
- What policies ensure compliance?
A Different Perspective
Even with safeguards, human curiosity can bypass controls.
![“A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. [The Second Law of Robotics]” quote by Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c4c/isaac-asimov-309_conflict_a-robot-must-obey-the-orders-given-it-by_65930.jpg)
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
![“[T]he question "What is everything?" has no meaning, even though it seems to be profound. [...] The point is, perhaps, that I am not looking for a verbal answer, just as when I ask for a kiss, I do not want a piece of paper with "A kiss" written on it. It is rather that metaphysical wonder looks…” quote by Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/705/alan-w-watts-9497_curiosity_t-he-question-what-is-everything-has-no_3984.jpg)
![“By profession a biologist, [Thomas Henry Huxley] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences. Absolutely nothing was uninteresting to him. His curiosity ranged from music to theology and from philosophy to history. He didn't simply know something…” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/h-l-mencken-245_absolutely-nothing_by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-h_5368.jpg)
