Also Quote by Margaret Geller
“There are things done under the name of science which are ridiculous. But there is also stuff done which sounds funny but is really serious.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Scientific Ethics, 1995
Science can be misused for absurd or trivial pursuits, yet some seemingly odd work holds genuine importance.
In simple terms: Science sometimes appears silly but can be serious.
Question assumptions about scientific value.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research funding decisions
- public communication of science
- evaluating novelty
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we distinguish meaningful innovation from frivolous claims?
- What role does humor play in scientific discourse?
Not all unconventional ideas are valuable; some may be wasteful.