Atoms Quote by Martin Rees
“Experiments that crash atoms together could start a chain reaction that erodes everything on Earth.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Our Final Century, 2003
High‑energy particle collisions could trigger a chain reaction that threatens planetary stability, highlighting existential risks from advanced science.
In simple terms: Particle experiments might end the world.
Key Takeaway
We existential risks of scientific research.
Themes
science
risk
existential
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- lab safety protocols
- public communication
- regulatory oversight
Key Concepts
cosmology
particle physics
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards are needed for high‑risk experiments?
- How to balance discovery with caution?
A Different Perspective
Scientific progress often outpaces safety measures.
![“Atoms for peace. Man is still the greatest miracle and the greatest problem on earth. [Message tapped out by Sarnoff using a telegraph key in a tabletop circuit demonstrating an RCA atomic battery as a power source.]” quote by David Sarnoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bdc/david-sarnoff-18253_atoms_atoms-for-peace-man-is-still-the-greates_2012557.jpg)
![“[Decoding the human genome sequence] is the most significant undertaking that we have mounted so far in an organized way in all of science. I believe that reading our blueprints, cataloguing our own instruction book, will be judged by history as more significant than even splitting the atom or…” quote by Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c6/francis-collins-5281_atoms_decoding-the-human-genome-sequence-is-th_15604.jpg)
