Accomplishment Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
“The real accomplishment of modern science and technology consists in taking ordinary men, informing them narrowly and deeply and then, through appropriate organization, arranging to have their knowledge combined with that of other specialized but equally ordinary men. This dispenses with the need for genius. The resulting performance, though less inspiring, is far more predictable.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The New Industrial State, 1967
Science and tech succeed by pooling specialized knowledge of ordinary people, reducing reliance on genius and making outcomes predictable.
In simple terms: Ordinary people combine expertise to achieve predictable results.
Key Takeaway
Leverage teamwork and organization.
Themes
collaboration
knowledge sharing
predictability
technology
science
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
explanatory
informative
When to use this quote
- product development
- policy making
- research teams
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
systems thinking
collective intelligence
division of labor
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure creativity thrives in such systems?
- What roles do exceptional individuals still play?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the need for visionary leadership.
