Albert einstein Quote by Robert L. Wolke
““When Albert Einstein was in residence at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University, an eager young newspaper reporter approached him one day, notebook in hand. “Well, Professor Einstein,” he asked, “what's new in science?” Einstein looked at him with his deep, soft eyes and replied, “Oh? Have you already written about all the old science?””
About This Quote
Source Anecdote: Interview with Albert Einstein, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, 1940s
Einstein humorously suggests that scientific progress requires moving beyond past knowledge rather than rehashing it.
In simple terms: Science must focus on new ideas, not old ones.
Key Takeaway
Seek novelty, not repetition.
Themes
innovation
science
progress
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
anecdotal
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research meetings
- journalistic interviews
- academic conferences
- science education
Key Concepts
epistemology
creativity
paradigm shift
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance respect for past discoveries with the drive for new insights?
- What habits help us avoid intellectual stagnation?
A Different Perspective
Einstein’s quip may downplay the value of revisiting foundational work.
![“[On creating] And you get that little endorphin buzz, it's great. Why do you think Einstein looked like that? I don't think he was going "You know this is some dynamite weed! It's all relative you know."” quote by Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/873/robin-williams-682_buzz_on-creating-and-you-get-that-little-endo_1002088.jpg)
