Geology Quote by Terry Pratchett
““It is well known that stone can think, because the whole of electronics is based on that fact, but in some universes men spend ages looking for other intelligences in the sky without once looking under their feet. That is because they've got the time-span all wrong. From stone's point of view the universe is hardly created and mountain ranges are bouncing up and down like organ-stops while continents zip backward and forward in general high spirits, crashing into each other from the sheer joy of momentum and getting their rocks off. It is going to be quite some time before stone notices its disfiguring skin disease and starts to scratch, which is just as well.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld series, 1990s
Stone is portrayed as a sentient entity, highlighting humanity’s misdirected search for intelligence while ignoring the obvious beneath our feet.
In simple terms: People look up for alien life, ignoring the intelligence in stones.
Key Takeaway
Consider overlooked sources of insight.
Themes
humor
philosophy
science
perspective
Mood
playful
thoughtful
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- geology research
- philosophical reflection
- creative writing
- science education
Key Concepts
sentience
anthropocentrism
cosmology
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday "stones" might we be overlooking?
- How does humor reveal deeper truths?
A Different Perspective
Stone consciousness is a fictional device, not scientific fact.
![“[In geology,] As in history, the material in hand remains silent if no questions are asked. The nature of these questions depends on the "school" to which the geologist belongs and on the objectivity of his investigations. Hans Cloos called this way of interrogation "the dialogue with the earth,"…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8a7/anonymous-1_communication_in-geology-as-in-history-the-material-in_22470.jpg)
