Communication Quote by Kevin Kelly
““I struck up a conversation with Larry Page, Google’s brilliant cofounder. “Larry, I still don’t get it. There are so many search companies. Web search, for free? Where does that get you?” My unimaginative blindness is solid evidence that predicting is hard, especially about the future, but in my defense this was before Google had ramped up its ad auction scheme to generate real income, long before YouTube or any other major acquisitions. I was not the only avid user of its search site who thought it would not last long. But Page’s reply has always stuck with me: “Oh, we’re really making an AI.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2005, Wired Magazine, interview with Kevin Kelly
The quote illustrates how even experts can misjudge emerging technologies, and that early skepticism can be overturned by unexpected breakthroughs
In simple terms: People often underestimate new tech until it proves its value
Key Takeaway
Stay open to surprise innovations
Themes
innovation
prediction
technology
humility
learning
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
cautious
Type
observation
inspirational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- startup strategy
- investment decisions
- product development
- technology adoption
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
disruptive innovation
AI
search engines
market dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions might you be overlooking?
- How can you test a technology’s long‑term viability?
A Different Perspective
Predicting future impact is inherently uncertain and can miss hidden potentials
