---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Time travel was once considered…"
description: "\"Time travel was once considered scientific heresy, and I used to avoid talking about it for fear of being labelled a 'crank.'\" — Stephen Hawking"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de4/stephen-hawking-389_crank_time-travel-was-once-considered-scientif_575979.jpg"
---

#  Time travel was once considered scientific heresy, and I…

![“Time travel was once considered scientific heresy, and I used to avoid talking about it for fear of being labelled a 'crank.'” quote by Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de4/stephen-hawking-389_crank_time-travel-was-once-considered-scientif_575979.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de4/stephen-hawking-389_crank_time-travel-was-once-considered-scientif_575979.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de4/stephen-hawking-389_crank_time-travel-was-once-considered-scientif_575979.jpg)

> “Time travel was once considered scientific heresy, and I used to avoid talking about it for fear of being labelled a 'crank.'”

[Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Time travel is scientifically controversial, and fear of ridicule discouraged discussion.

**In simple terms:** He feared being called a crank.

Key Takeaway

Speak openly despite fear of judgment.

Themes

science controversy fear of ridicule

Mood

inquisitive hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- academic conferences
- public lectures
- science communication

Key Concepts

skepticism innovation

Questions to Reflect On

- What would change if time travel were proven?
- How does fear affect scientific progress?

A Different Perspective

Some may view time travel as purely speculative.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Considered Scientific](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/considered-scientific-2256529/) [Crank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crank/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Heresy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heresy/) [Heresy Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heresy-used-4743368/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientific Heresy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-heresy-4743367/) [Talking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking/) [Talking Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talking-fear-1309004/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-travel/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/)

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