--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A mathematician is afraid of flying due…" description: "\"“A mathematician is afraid of flying due to the small risk of a terrorist attack. So, on every flight he takes a bomb with him in his hand luggage. ‘Th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/rolf-dobelli-11723_humor_a-mathematician-is-afraid-of-flying-due_146264.png" --- # A mathematician is afraid of flying due to the small risk… ![“A mathematician is afraid of flying due to the small risk of a terrorist attack. So, on every flight he takes a bomb with him in his hand luggage. ‘The probability of having a bomb on the plane is very low,’ he reasons, ‘and the probability of having two bombs on the same plane is virtually zero!” quote by Rolf Dobelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/rolf-dobelli-11723_humor_a-mathematician-is-afraid-of-flying-due_146264.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/rolf-dobelli-11723_humor_a-mathematician-is-afraid-of-flying-due_146264.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/82e/rolf-dobelli-11723_humor_a-mathematician-is-afraid-of-flying-due_146264.png) > ““A mathematician is afraid of flying due to the small risk of a terrorist attack. So, on every flight he takes a bomb with him in his hand luggage. ‘The probability of having a bomb on the plane is very low,’ he reasons, ‘and the probability of having two bombs on the same plane is virtually zero!”” [Rolf Dobelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-dobelli/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A mathematician overestimates rare risks and paradoxically creates the danger he fears by carrying a bomb on flights. **In simple terms:** He overreacts to unlikely threats, causing the problem himself. Key Takeaway Avoid letting fear drive irrational actions. Themes risk perception irrationality paradoxes decision making security Mood anxious reflective Type cautionary philosophical When to use this quote - travel - airport security - personal safety - risk assessment Key Concepts probability theory cognitive bias self‑fulfilling prophecy Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever create the problems you fear? - How can you assess risk without overreacting? A Different Perspective His logic ignores that carrying a bomb dramatically increases danger, not reduces it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-flying-657620/) [Having Bomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-bomb-1638423/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Luggage Probability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luggage-probability-1638422/) [Mathematician Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematician-afraid-1638421/) [Plane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane/) [Risk Terrorist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk-terrorist-1638424/) ## Related quotes > [Having found the bomb we have used it. We have used it against those who attacked us without warning at Pearl Harbor, against those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/having-found-the-bomb-we-have-used-it-we-have-used-it-against-those/) [Harry S. 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