Done Quote by Robert A. Heinlein
“If an elderly respected expert in a given field tells you that something can be done he is almost certainly right. If an elderly respected expert in a given field tells you that something is impossible, he is almost certainly wrong.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, 1966
Elder experts often overestimate feasibility and underestimate impossibility; their age biases judgment.
In simple terms: Old experts may be wrong about what's possible or impossible.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions, regardless of age.
Themes
wisdom
bias
decisionmaking
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- policy planning
- technology forecasts
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
expertise
ageism
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you trust senior advice versus fresh ideas?
- How do you balance experience with innovation?
A Different Perspective
Age alone does not guarantee accuracy; younger perspectives can be equally valuable.
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
