--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a lot easier to see, at least in…" description: "\"It's a lot easier to see, at least in some cases, what the long-term limits of the possible will be, because they depend on natural law. But it's much ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/k-eric-drexler-19040_cases_it-s-a-lot-easier-to-see-at-least-in-som_1939357.jpg" --- # It's a lot easier to see, at least in some cases, what the… ![“It's a lot easier to see, at least in some cases, what the long-term limits of the possible will be, because they depend on natural law. But it's much harder to see just what path we will follow in heading toward those limits.” quote by K. Eric Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/k-eric-drexler-19040_cases_it-s-a-lot-easier-to-see-at-least-in-som_1939357.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/k-eric-drexler-19040_cases_it-s-a-lot-easier-to-see-at-least-in-som_1939357.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b5/k-eric-drexler-19040_cases_it-s-a-lot-easier-to-see-at-least-in-som_1939357.jpg) > “It's a lot easier to see, at least in some cases, what the long-term limits of the possible will be, because they depend on natural law. But it's much harder to see just what path we will follow in heading toward those limits.” [K. Eric Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-eric-drexler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Long‑term possibilities are bounded by physical laws, yet predicting the exact technological path is far harder. **In simple terms:** Physics limits futures; routes are uncertain. Key Takeaway Recognize limits, stay adaptable. Themes science technology uncertainty future planning Mood cautious inquisitive Type analytical strategic When to use this quote - research planning - policy making - investment strategy - education curricula Key Concepts laws of physics technological trajectory prediction limits Questions to Reflect On - How can we design flexible strategies for unknown futures? - What role should precaution play? A Different Perspective Limits are known but pathways are speculative, making planning risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Long term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-term/) [Natural law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-law/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Term limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term-limits/) ## Related quotes > [She was reaching the limits of how much its possible to change a man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/she-was-reaching-the-limits-of-how-much-its-possible-to-change-a-man/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [We have to learn how to work within the limits that are possible, not what is desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-azevedo/we-have-to-learn-how-to-work-within-the-limits-that-are-possible-not/) [Roberto Azevedo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-azevedo/) > [The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke-2/the-only-way-to-find-the-limits-of-the-possible-is-by-going-beyond/) [Arthur C Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke-2/) > [The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-way-of-finding-the-limits-of-the-possible-is-by-going-beyond-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/the-only-way-to-discover-the-limits-of-the-possible-is-to-go-beyond/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [“The limits of possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/the-limits-of-possible-can-only-be-defined-by-going-beyond-them-into/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stankyrich/the-only-way-of-finding-the-limits-of-the-possible-is-by-going-beyond-2/) Stankyrich > [The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke-2/the-only-way-of-discovering-the-limits-of-the-possible-is-to-venture/) [Arthur C Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke-2/) > [“The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/the-limits-of-the-possible-can-only-be-defined-by-going-beyond-them/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible. ( C. Clarke)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thought-of-the-day/the-only-way-of-finding-the-limits-of-the-possible-is-by-going-beyond/) Thought Of The Day > [O my soul, do not aspire to immortal life, but exhaust the limits of the possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pindar/o-my-soul-do-not-aspire-to-immortal-life-but-exhaust-the-limits-of/) [Pindar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pindar/) > [I have no use for people who have learned the limits of the possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/i-have-no-use-for-people-who-have-learned-the-limits-of-the-possible/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Whenever the current of money is forcibly stopped, and when money is prevented from settling at its just level, there are no limits to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/whenever-the-current-of-money-is-forcibly-stopped-and-when-money-is/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [It would appear that we have reached the limits of what it is possible to achieve with computer technology, although one should be careful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-von-neumann/it-would-appear-that-we-have-reached-the-limits-of-what-it-is/) [John von Neumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-von-neumann/) > [I do not claim to have perfected an art but to have commenced one, the limits of which it is not possible at present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fox-talbot/i-do-not-claim-to-have-perfected-an-art-but-to-have-commenced-one-the/) Henry Fox Talbot ## More by K. 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