Age Quote by Linus Pauling
“...It would be possible to make much more progress than has been made if the NCI knew its job better, knew how to make discoveries...The NCI really does not know how to make discoveries…So long as the NCI is not willing to follow up ideas that seem good to people who have had experience making discoveries, the work of the NCI is going to be pedestrian.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Cancer Research Funding, 1970s
The speaker criticizes the National Cancer Institute for lacking effective discovery processes and not acting on expert ideas, hindering progress.
In simple terms: NCI isn’t using expert ideas, slowing cancer research.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for better discovery strategies and expert input.
Themes
science policy
research funding
innovation
healthcare
bureaucracy
Mood
frustrated
critical
urgent
Type
critical
policy
institutional
When to use this quote
- grant review meetings
- research team brainstorming
- policy advisory panels
- clinical trial design
Key Concepts
discovery management
expert consultation
institutional inertia
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions better integrate expert insight?
- What incentives would encourage proactive follow‑up of promising ideas?
A Different Perspective
Change may be resisted by entrenched interests and limited resources.
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