--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They didn't understand what they were…" description: "\"They didn't understand what they were doing. I'm afraid that will be on the tombstone of the human race.\" — Michael Crichton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca5/michael-crichton-694_afraid_they-didn-t-understand-what-they-were-do_2258826.jpg" --- # They didn't understand what they were doing. I'm afraid… ![“They didn't understand what they were doing. I'm afraid that will be on the tombstone of the human race.” quote by Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca5/michael-crichton-694_afraid_they-didn-t-understand-what-they-were-do_2258826.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca5/michael-crichton-694_afraid_they-didn-t-understand-what-they-were-do_2258826.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca5/michael-crichton-694_afraid_they-didn-t-understand-what-they-were-do_2258826.jpg) > “They didn't understand what they were doing. I'm afraid that will be on the tombstone of the human race.” [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human actions can have irreversible, catastrophic consequences for humanity. **In simple terms:** Our mistakes may doom humanity. Key Takeaway Consider long‑term impacts before acting. Themes technology ethics humanity future risk Mood cautionary philosophical Type ethical reflective When to use this quote - policy making - research ethics committees - environmental assessments - public health planning Key Concepts existential risk scientific responsibility unintended consequences Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can prevent irreversible damage? - How do we balance innovation with caution? A Different Perspective Complex problems may lack clear solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) [Afraid Tombstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-tombstone-5189156/) [Didn Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/didn-understand/) [Doing Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-afraid-2176528/) [Human race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-race/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Tombstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tombstone/) [Understand Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand-doing-484788/) ## Related quotes > [“That was courage, Keller thought. Not doing something without being afraid, but doing something even though you were afraid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-smith/that-was-courage-keller-thought-not-doing-something-without-being/) [L.J. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-smith/) > [Great people do things before they're ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you're afraid of, getting out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-poehler/great-people-do-things-before-they-re-ready-they-do-things-before-2/) [Amy Poehler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-poehler/) > [Courage is about doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-rickenbacker/courage-is-about-doing-what-you-re-afraid-to-do-there-can-be-no/) [Eddie Rickenbacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-rickenbacker/) > [“And how do you explain to your wife that you don't have all the answers, and that you might not know what you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-esdaile/and-how-do-you-explain-to-your-wife-that-you-don-t-have-all-the/) [Leslie Esdaile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-esdaile/) > [Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-rickenbacker/courage-is-doing-what-you-are-afraid-to-do-there-can-be-no-courage/) [Eddie Rickenbacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-rickenbacker/) > [Courage is about doing what you're afraid to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-rickenbacker/courage-is-about-doing-what-you-re-afraid-to-do/) [Eddie Rickenbacker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-rickenbacker/) > [Doing what you're afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that- that's what life is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-poehler/doing-what-you-re-afraid-of-getting-out-of-your-comfort-zone-taking/) [Amy Poehler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-poehler/) > [But you have to do what you dream of doing even while you're afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arianna-huffington/but-you-have-to-do-what-you-dream-of-doing-even-while-you-re-afraid/) [Arianna Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arianna-huffington/) > [“That is what bravery is. Bravery is doing what you must even when you are afraid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-arenson/that-is-what-bravery-is-bravery-is-doing-what-you-must-even-when-you/) [Daniel Arenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-arenson/) > [Fear is only in the mind. Ones you started doing something you are afraid to do, that's the time doing other things would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fear-is-only-in-the-mind-ones-you-started-doing-something-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Understand that I'm not doing it the same, I'm doing it better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/understand-that-i-m-not-doing-it-the-same-i-m-doing-it-better/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [The main reason we understand what we're doing is because we're the individuals doing it. One of the things that surprises me is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-healy/the-main-reason-we-understand-what-we-re-doing-is-because-we-re-the/) [Matthew Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-healy/) > [If you want to solve very complex problems, you will have to end up letting machines work out a lot of the details for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-lederberg/if-you-want-to-solve-very-complex-problems-you-will-have-to-end-up/) [Joshua Lederberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-lederberg/) > [The avant-garde feel important, but they hardly understand what they're doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vangelis/the-avant-garde-feel-important-but-they-hardly-understand-what-they/) [Vangelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vangelis/) > [“I understand what you're doing, and I know what it means for me. You're trying to escape. You're trying to discard me. Don't give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-wickham/i-understand-what-you-re-doing-and-i-know-what-it-means-for-me-you-re/) [Madeleine Wickham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-wickham/) ## More by Michael Crichton > [They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-are-focused-on-whether-they-can-do-something-they-never-think/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [This is the gift of your species and this is the danger, because you do not choose to control your imaginings. You imagine wonderful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/this-is-the-gift-of-your-species-and-this-is-the-danger-because-you/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [“it is important to recognize that the behavior of the two antagonists mirrors each other, like a Rorschach inkblot. The value of a Rorschach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/it-is-important-to-recognize-that-the-behavior-of-the-two-antagonists/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Exercise invigorates the body and sharpens the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/exercise-invigorates-the-body-and-sharpens-the-mind/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Social control is best managed through fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/social-control-is-best-managed-through-fear/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [They always say they didn't. I never heard of one who said, 'You know, I deserve this.' Never happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/they-always-say-they-didn-t-i-never-heard-of-one-who-said-you-know-i/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Friendships are nice. So is competence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/friendships-are-nice-so-is-competence/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [I can tell you that second hand smoke is not a health hazard to anyone and never was, and the EPA has always known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/i-can-tell-you-that-second-hand-smoke-is-not-a-health-hazard-to/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [As the practical value of altering consciousness becomes recognized, procedures to effect these alterations will become increasingly ordinary and unremarkable. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/as-the-practical-value-of-altering-consciousness-becomes-recognized/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [In any case, you read with exasperation or amusement the multiple errors in a story-and then turn the page to national or international affairs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/in-any-case-you-read-with-exasperation-or-amusement-the-multiple/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Books aren't written - they're rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/books-aren-t-written-they-re-rewritten-including-your-own-it-is-one/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [The purpose of life is to stay alive. Watch any animal in nature--all it tries to do is stay alive. It doesn't care about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/the-purpose-of-life-is-to-stay-alive-watch-any-animal-in-nature-all/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [One of the things that Americans, as a multiracial society, feel is a tremendous sensitivity to racial comments of all kinds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/one-of-the-things-that-americans-as-a-multiracial-society-feel-is-a/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Nobody smart knows what they want to do until they get into their twenties or thirties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/nobody-smart-knows-what-they-want-to-do-until-they-get-into-their/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [This fascination with computer models is something I understand very well. Richard Feynmann called it a disease. I fear he is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/this-fascination-with-computer-models-is-something-i-understand-very/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) [Explore all 386 Michael Crichton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) ## More Afraid quotes > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [I used to be afraid of my temper, but it turns out I don't really have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-bell/i-used-to-be-afraid-of-my-temper-but-it-turns-out-i-don-t-really-have/) [Zoe Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-bell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I am not afraid of praise, for I have practiced it on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-am-not-afraid-of-praise-for-i-have-practiced-it-on-myself/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I'm a pretty fearless person. I'm afraid of, like, creepy men in white vans and sidewalks with no streetlights. But I'm not afraid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-totah/i-m-a-pretty-fearless-person-i-m-afraid-of-like-creepy-men-in-white/) [Josie Totah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-totah/) > [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/) [Darlene Senger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darlene-senger/) > [Why am I so afraid to loose you,when you're not even mine?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-am-i-so-afraid-to-loose-you-when-you-re-not-even-mine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I want to tell you, but I cant, becuase I'm afraid if I do you'll never treat me same the again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/i-want-to-tell-you-but-i-cant-becuase-i-m-afraid-if-i-do-you-ll-never/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [Mistakes I've made in the past make me afraid to try new things in the future. I want to be perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/mistakes-i-ve-made-in-the-past-make-me-afraid-to-try-new-things-in/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“Humans are naturally scared and confused beings. They not only fear the unknown, as they live fearing themselves... ☥”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-marques/humans-are-naturally-scared-and-confused-beings-they-not-only-fear/) [Luis Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-marques/) > [If you are too afraid of failure, you cant possibly do what needs to be done to succeed in living a fulfilling life. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-are-too-afraid-of-failure-you-cant-possibly-do-what-needs-to/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [We cannot be afraid of the dark that they live in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burnie-burns/we-cannot-be-afraid-of-the-dark-that-they-live-in/) [Burnie Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burnie-burns/) > [“I think the reason we're cruel sometimes is that we're afraid we're going to like something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/i-think-the-reason-we-re-cruel-sometimes-is-that-we-re-afraid-we-re/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [I'm still with that feeling that I am afraid of doing the wrong thing, because somebody is going to punish me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-m-still-with-that-feeling-that-i-am-afraid-of-doing-the-wrong-thing/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) [Browse all 5,519 Afraid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "They didn't understand what they were doing. 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