Become Quote by Seth Shostak
“Here's a news flash: scientists can be wrong. That's no big deal (unless the scientist is you), since research is self-correcting. Consequently, most errors by scientists become historical curiosities, with little long-term importance.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Talk on Science, 2015
Science corrects its own mistakes over time, so individual errors rarely have lasting impact.
In simple terms: Scientists' errors are usually temporary and get fixed.
Key Takeaway
Accept that mistakes are part of progress.
Themes
science
humility
progress
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
cautionary
informative
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- media reporting
- education
- peer review
Key Concepts
self‑correction
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑correction maintain scientific credibility?
- What responsibilities do scientists have when errors become public?
A Different Perspective
If a mistake is widely publicized, it can erode trust even if later corrected.
