New york city Quote by Richard Rhodes
““During the same period Szilard wrote Michael Polanyi he would “stay in England until one year before the war, at which time I would shift my residence to New York City.”896 The letter provoked comment, Szilard enjoyed recalling; it was “very funny, because how can anyone say what he will do one year before the war?” As it turned out, his prognostication was off by only four months: he arrived in the United States on January 2, 1938.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes, 1986
Szilard’s pre‑war prediction of moving to New York was remarkably close, showing how even experts can misjudge timing.
In simple terms: Predictions can be close but not exact.
Key Takeaway
Plan with flexibility.
Themes
science
history
prediction
uncertainty
war
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
historical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research planning
- career moves
- historical study
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
physics
historical analysis
human foresight
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors cause prediction errors?
- How can you mitigate timing risks?
A Different Perspective
Even accurate forecasts can be off by months, affecting decisions.
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