--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Science has an uncomfortable way of…" description: "\"Science has an uncomfortable way of pushing human beings from center stage. In our prescientific stories, humans began as the focal point of Nature, li..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/seth-lloyd-13748_arms_science-has-an-uncomfortable-way-of-push_2855607.jpg" --- # Science has an uncomfortable way of pushing human beings… ![“Science has an uncomfortable way of pushing human beings from center stage. In our prescientific stories, humans began as the focal point of Nature, living on an Earth that was the center of the universe. As the origins of the Earth and of mankind were investigated more carefully, it became clear…” quote by Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/seth-lloyd-13748_arms_science-has-an-uncomfortable-way-of-push_2855607.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/seth-lloyd-13748_arms_science-has-an-uncomfortable-way-of-push_2855607.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c6/seth-lloyd-13748_arms_science-has-an-uncomfortable-way-of-push_2855607.jpg) > “Science has an uncomfortable way of pushing human beings from center stage. In our prescientific stories, humans began as the focal point of Nature, living on an Earth that was the center of the universe. As the origins of the Earth and of mankind were investigated more carefully, it became clear that Nature had other interests beyond people, and the Earth was less central than previously hoped. Humankind was just one branch of the great family of life, and the Earth is a smallish planet orbiting an unexceptional sun quite far out on one arm of a run-of-the-mill spiral galaxy.” [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science reveals humanity is not the universe's center, shifting our perspective to a modest cosmic role. **In simple terms:** Science shows we aren't the central focus of the cosmos. Key Takeaway Accept our small place and explore responsibly. Themes humility cosmic perspective science anthropocentrism Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - public policy - environmental stewardship - space exploration Key Concepts astronomy philosophy ecology Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing our modest place affect our actions? - What responsibilities arise from this humility? A Different Perspective Human ego can resist accepting a peripheral role. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) [Branches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/branches/) [Center of the universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/center-of-the-universe/) [Center stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/center-stage/) [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Earth Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth-mankind-2306905/) [Focal point](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focal-point/) [Galaxy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/galaxy/) [Great family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-family/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humankind/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Just one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-one/) [Living on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living-on/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Mankind Investigated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind-investigated-3825264/) [Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mills/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-earth/) [Planets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planets/) [Pushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pushing/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Spirals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirals/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) [Uncomfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncomfortable/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Rust, corrosion, wind, rain. The nibbling teeth of mice and the acrid droppings of insects and the devouring jaws of years. The was of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-cronin/rust-corrosion-wind-rain-the-nibbling-teeth-of-mice-and-the-acrid/) [Justin Cronin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-cronin/) > [It is a written fact that our people had warned of all these consequences of wrongful environmental behavior since our very first contact with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-peltier/it-is-a-written-fact-that-our-people-had-warned-of-all-these/) [Leonard Peltier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-peltier/) > [The earth is mankind's ultimate haven, our blessed terra firma. When it trembles and gives way beneath our feet, it's as though one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-adair/the-earth-is-mankind-s-ultimate-haven-our-blessed-terra-firma-when-it/) [Gilbert Adair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-adair/) > [“Mankind does not have dominion over the Earth, mankind has a relationship with the Earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-adam-snyder/mankind-does-not-have-dominion-over-the-earth-mankind-has-a/) [J.Adam Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-adam-snyder/) > [Soft as the earth is mankind and both need to be altered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/soft-as-the-earth-is-mankind-and-both-need-to-be-altered/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [A publisher should always be on the receiving end. He should take an interest in almost any subject and remain anonymous, letting the author…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cass-canfield/a-publisher-should-always-be-on-the-receiving-end-he-should-take-an/) [Cass Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cass-canfield/) > [For most women, the language of conversation is primarily a language of rapport: a way of establishingconnections and negotiating relationships. Emphasis is placed on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-most-women-the-language-of-conversation-is-primarily-a-language/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nobody takes center stage or dominates the conversation for long stretches of time. Equality is an important element in hygge—a trait that is deeply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meik-wiking/nobody-takes-center-stage-or-dominates-the-conversation-for-long/) [Meik Wiking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meik-wiking/) > [To a large extent, the aged in our society are ghettoized. Old people are seen as useless, bypassed by history, old-fashioned, in the way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/to-a-large-extent-the-aged-in-our-society-are-ghettoized-old-people/) [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) > [I want to put the interests of ordinary working people right up there, center stage. Those people who - you know, they're working all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theresa-may/i-want-to-put-the-interests-of-ordinary-working-people-right-up-there/) [Theresa May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theresa-may/) > [If you have a warm and caring heart, you're loved ones will ensure you never depart. For long after you've turned that final page…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-victor-paskavich/if-you-have-a-warm-and-caring-heart-you-re-loved-ones-will-ensure-you/) [Stanley Victor Paskavich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-victor-paskavich/) > [I love the excitement, the center stage, the limelight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-riggs/i-love-the-excitement-the-center-stage-the-limelight/) [Bobby Riggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-riggs/) > [“The real powers at play never take center stage. Don't follow the marionette, follow the strings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ritter/the-real-powers-at-play-never-take-center-stage-don-t-follow-the/) [William Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ritter/) > [“DR. OZ SPEAKS OUT FOR TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION Toward the end of April, 2012, Dr. Mehmet Oz took center stage at The Dr. Oz Show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-forem/dr-oz-speaks-out-for-transcendental-meditation-toward-the-end-of/) [Jack Forem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-forem/) > [All too often, it is audacity and not talent that moves an artist to center stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/all-too-often-it-is-audacity-and-not-talent-that-moves-an-artist-to/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) ## More by Seth Lloyd > [Every physical system registers information, and just by evolving in time, by doing its thing, it changes that information, transforms that information, or, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/every-physical-system-registers-information-and-just-by-evolving-in/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [“The significance of a bit depends not just on its value but on how that value affects other bits over time, as part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/the-significance-of-a-bit-depends-not-just-on-its-value-but-on-how/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [ \[With quantum computers\] you can calculate how many bits are in the universe, how much energy it takes to flip them, how much energy… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/with-quantum-computers-you-can-calculate-how-many-bits-are-in-the/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [In this metaphor we actually have a picture of the computational universe, a metaphor which I hope to make scientifically precise as part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/in-this-metaphor-we-actually-have-a-picture-of-the-computational/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [Yes, I am a quantum mechanic! Those darn quantum computers break all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/yes-i-am-a-quantum-mechanic-those-darn-quantum-computers-break-all/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [What's happened with society is that we have created these devices, computers, which already can register and process huge amounts of information, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/what-s-happened-with-society-is-that-we-have-created-these-devices/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [Meaning is like pornography, you know it when you see it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/meaning-is-like-pornography-you-know-it-when-you-see-it/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [If you wanted to build the most powerful computer you could, you can't do better than including everything in the universe that's potentially available.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/if-you-wanted-to-build-the-most-powerful-computer-you-could-you-can-t/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [There are considerable advantages to using many degrees of freedom to store information, stability and controllability being perhaps the most important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/there-are-considerable-advantages-to-using-many-degrees-of-freedom-to/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [When it comes to their capacity to screw things up, computers are becoming more human every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/when-it-comes-to-their-capacity-to-screw-things-up-computers-are/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [It's also a reasonable scientific program to look at the dynamics of the standard model and to try to prove from that dynamics that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/it-s-also-a-reasonable-scientific-program-to-look-at-the-dynamics-of/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [Some folks think life and technology and mind can keep expanding forever. Others say it can't. We are still not clear on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/some-folks-think-life-and-technology-and-mind-can-keep-expanding/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [Of course, one way of thinking about all of life and civilization is as being about how the world registers and processes information. Certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/of-course-one-way-of-thinking-about-all-of-life-and-civilization-is/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [Programmed by quanta, physics gave rise first to chemistry and then to life; programmed by mutations and recombination, life gave rise to Shakespeare; programmed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/programmed-by-quanta-physics-gave-rise-first-to-chemistry-and-then-to/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [Instead of having to be a member of the Royal Society to do science, the way you had to be in England in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/instead-of-having-to-be-a-member-of-the-royal-society-to-do-science/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) [Explore all 49 Seth Lloyd quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) ## More Arms quotes > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Are we fighting?" I asked Morelli. "No. Were discussing." "Are you sure?" "Am I yelling?" Morelli asked. "Is my face purple? Are the cords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/are-we-fighting-i-asked-morelli-no-were-discussing-are-you-sure-am-i/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [A home isn't just a roof over our heads. A home is a place where we feel loved and where we love others. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-home-isn-t-just-a-roof-over-our-heads-a-home-is-a-place-where-we/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Comerado, this is no book,Who touches this, touches a man,(Is it night? Are we here alone?)It is I you hold, and who holds you,I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/comerado-this-is-no-book-who-touches-this-touches-a-man-is-it-night/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [Even the stove and the refrigerator looked human, I mean good human - they seemed to have arms and voices and they said, hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/even-the-stove-and-the-refrigerator-looked-human-i-mean-good-human/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I separated the joints, the arm joints, the leg joints, and had to do two boilings. I think I used four boxes of Soilex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dahmer/i-separated-the-joints-the-arm-joints-the-leg-joints-and-had-to-do/) [Jeffrey Dahmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dahmer/) > [More courage is required to forgive than is required to take up arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ramos-horta/more-courage-is-required-to-forgive-than-is-required-to-take-up-arms/) [Jose Ramos-Horta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ramos-horta/) > [It's been a long time since I asked anything of heaven, and my arms still haven't come down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/it-s-been-a-long-time-since-i-asked-anything-of-heaven-and-my-arms/) [Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/) > [With those who are willing to join, let us cooperate to reduce the burden of arms, to strengthen the structure of peace, to lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/with-those-who-are-willing-to-join-let-us-cooperate-to-reduce-the/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms, by truth when it is attacked by lies, by faith when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-macleish/how-shall-freedom-be-defended-by-arms-when-it-is-attacked-by-arms-by/) [Archibald MacLeish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-macleish/) > [You don't have to say it out loud. I already know why you like me.' 'You do, huh?' 'Yep.' He wrapped his arms around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/you-don-t-have-to-say-it-out-loud-i-already-know-why-you-like-me-you/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [Another step had her backed up against the wall, and he braced his arms on both sides of her. "I'm beginning to look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-lindsey/another-step-had-her-backed-up-against-the-wall-and-he-braced-his/) [Johanna Lindsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-lindsey/) [Browse all 4,470 Arms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Science has an uncomfortable way of pushing human beings from center stage. In our prescientific stories, humans began as the focal point of Nature, living on an Earth that was the center of the universe. As the origins of the Earth and of mankind were investigated more carefully, it became clear that Nature had other interests beyond people, and the Earth was less central than previously hoped. 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