---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We look down on our scientists if they…"
description: "\"We look down on our scientists if they engage in outside consultation. We implicitly promote the ivory tower.\" — Vikram Sarabhai"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/vikram-sarabhai-59789_consultation_we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-e_2785089.png"
---

#  We look down on our scientists if they engage in outside…

![“We look down on our scientists if they engage in outside consultation. We implicitly promote the ivory tower.” quote by Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/vikram-sarabhai-59789_consultation_we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-e_2785089.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/vikram-sarabhai-59789_consultation_we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-e_2785089.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/vikram-sarabhai-59789_consultation_we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-e_2785089.png)

> “We look down on our scientists if they engage in outside consultation. We implicitly promote the ivory tower.”

[Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/)

## About This Quote

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

Scientists are often dismissed when they consult outside their field, reinforcing an 'ivory tower' mentality that separates academia from practical engagement.

**In simple terms:** Scientists face disdain for outside consultation.

Key Takeaway

Bridge gaps between academia and real-world problems.

Themes

science public engagement ivory tower

Mood

concerned analytical

Type

academic social

When to use this quote

- science communication
- interdisciplinary work
- public policy
- education reform

Key Concepts

knowledge transfer policy advice

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we value external scientific input?
- What barriers keep scientists isolated?

A Different Perspective

May undervalue specialist expertise.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Consultation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consultation/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Ivory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ivory/) [Ivory tower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ivory-tower/) [Look Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look-scientists-3338256/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Outside Consultation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outside-consultation-3338257/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientists/) [Scientists Engage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientists-engage-565976/) [Towers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/towers/)

## Related quotes

> [To know how scientists engage in visual imagery is to understand how they think creatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-o-wilson/to-know-how-scientists-engage-in-visual-imagery-is-to-understand-how/)

[E. O. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-o-wilson/)

> [If you look at the scientists who really make a difference, they think boldly. They're not afraid to question what they see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-wilson/if-you-look-at-the-scientists-who-really-make-a-difference-they-think/)

[Taylor Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-wilson/)

> [We have to change the way people look at scientists. Today, they are the nerds, the geeks. Instead, we want some of the cool…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/we-have-to-change-the-way-people-look-at-scientists-today-they-are/)

[Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/)

> [Language evolves and moves on. It is an organic thing. It is not stuck in an ivory tower, hung with expensive works of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james-2/language-evolves-and-moves-on-it-is-an-organic-thing-it-is-not-stuck/)

[E. L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james-2/)

> [Maybe what I admired most about John Steinbeck is that he never mortgaged his 45-acre heart for a suite in an ivory tower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/maybe-what-i-admired-most-about-john-steinbeck-is-that-he-never/)

[Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/)

> [For me or a Bruce Springsteen to sit up in our ivory towers and make comments about racism, well, were not really in it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mellencamp/for-me-or-a-bruce-springsteen-to-sit-up-in-our-ivory-towers-and-make/)

[John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/)

> [I don't ascribe to the idea of the ivory tower composer who sits alone in a room composing his masterpieces and then comes down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-zorn/i-don-t-ascribe-to-the-idea-of-the-ivory-tower-composer-who-sits/)

[John Zorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-zorn/)

> [Great question in science - questions like the ones Herschel raised about the structure of the universe - are seldom answered by ivory-tower types…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-trefil/great-question-in-science-questions-like-the-ones-herschel-raised/)

[James Trefil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-trefil/)

> [If you shut yourself up disdainfully in your ivory tower and insist that you have your own conscience and are satisfied with its approval,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luigi-pirandello/if-you-shut-yourself-up-disdainfully-in-your-ivory-tower-and-insist/)

[Luigi Pirandello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luigi-pirandello/)

> [I make friends easily. I'm a gregarious guy, I'm open, I'm easy to get to know - I don't lock myself in an ivory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-weintraub/i-make-friends-easily-i-m-a-gregarious-guy-i-m-open-i-m-easy-to-get/)

[Jerry Weintraub](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-weintraub/)

> [I am an idealist. I often feel I would like to be an artist in an ivory tower. Yet it is imperative that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-eugene-smith/i-am-an-idealist-i-often-feel-i-would-like-to-be-an-artist-in-an/)

[W. Eugene Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-eugene-smith/)

> [The ivory tower of the artist may be the only stronghold left for human values, cultural treasures, man’s cult of beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-ivory-tower-of-the-artist-may-be-the-only-stronghold-left-for/)

[Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/)

> [As for mathematicians themselves: don't expect too much help. Most of them are too far removed in their ivory towers to take up such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/apostolos-doxiadis/as-for-mathematicians-themselves-don-t-expect-too-much-help-most-of/)

[Apostolos Doxiadis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/apostolos-doxiadis/)

> [The commonest ivory tower is that of the average man, the state of passivity towards experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/the-commonest-ivory-tower-is-that-of-the-average-man-the-state-of/)

[W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/)

> [There's an interesting book about that called The Third Reich and the Ivory Tower, written by Stephen H. Norwood. It has a long discussion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-an-interesting-book-about-that-called-the-third-reich-and-the/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

## More by Vikram Sarabhai

> [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/)

[Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/)

> [He who can listen to the music in the midst of noise can achieve great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/he-who-can-listen-to-the-music-in-the-midst-of-noise-can-achieve/)

[Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/)

> [There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/there-are-some-who-question-the-relevance-of-space-activities-in-a/)

[Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/)

> [One wants permissive individuals who do not have a compelling need to reassure themselves that they are leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/one-wants-permissive-individuals-who-do-not-have-a-compelling-need-to/)

[Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/)

[Explore all 5 Vikram Sarabhai quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/)

## More Consultation quotes

> [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/)

[Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/)

> [In order to deal with the issues we're going to take a thoughtful, considered, intelligent approach to moving forward, we're going to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-notley/in-order-to-deal-with-the-issues-we-re-going-to-take-a-thoughtful/)

[Rachel Notley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-notley/)

> [My left descending septal branch artery decided to close without consultation with any of my other organs. It happened on Saint Patrick's Day, 1978.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/my-left-descending-septal-branch-artery-decided-to-close-without/)

[George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/)

> [Bike lanes are clearly controversial. And one of the problems with bike lanes - and I'm generally a supporter of bike lanes - but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-quinn/bike-lanes-are-clearly-controversial-and-one-of-the-problems-with/)

[Christine Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-quinn/)

> [All I say about severely disabled babies is that when a life is so miserable it is not worth living, then it is permissible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/all-i-say-about-severely-disabled-babies-is-that-when-a-life-is-so/)

[Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/)

> [During a color consultation, I like to reference food as a visual. Hot fudge and orange marmalade paint a clearer picture and helps prevent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tabatha-coffey/during-a-color-consultation-i-like-to-reference-food-as-a-visual-hot/)

[Tabatha Coffey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tabatha-coffey/)

> [We are resolved that the method of consultation shall be the method adopted to deal with any other questions that may concern our two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neville-chamberlain/we-are-resolved-that-the-method-of-consultation-shall-be-the-method/)

[Neville Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neville-chamberlain/)

> [I moreover affirm that our wisdom itself, and wisest consultations, for the most part commit themselves to the conduct of chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-moreover-affirm-that-our-wisdom-itself-and-wisest-consultations-for/)

[Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/)

> [I'm not being evasive but I am saying I'm not a scientist and I'm not directly involved in the consultation however the science must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-anderson/i-m-not-being-evasive-but-i-am-saying-i-m-not-a-scientist-and-i-m-not/)

[John Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-anderson/)

> [It is only through popular consultation and exchange with the people about social and economic policies that we were going to define the strategic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-castro-espin/it-is-only-through-popular-consultation-and-exchange-with-the-people/)

[Alejandro Castro Espin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-castro-espin/)

> [Since the NBA purchased the New Orleans Hornets, final responsibility for significant management decisions lies with the Commissioner's Office in consultation with team chairman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-stern/since-the-nba-purchased-the-new-orleans-hornets-final-responsibility/)

[David Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-stern/)

> [I did not win and in fact I was called into the principal's office for a consultation with my parents. But that was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-joyce/i-did-not-win-and-in-fact-i-was-called-into-the-principal-s-office/)

[William Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-joyce/)

> [A consultation process is what some authority sets in motion preparatory to doing what it intended all along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-waterhouse/a-consultation-process-is-what-some-authority-sets-in-motion/)

[Keith Waterhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-waterhouse/)

> [ A lot will depend on who \[Donald\] Trump chooses for key cabinet positions, but even more will depend on his consultations with his key… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/a-lot-will-depend-on-who-donald-trump-chooses-for-key-cabinet/)

[David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/)

> [I am impressed by the positive and insightful feedback we have received from Canadians across the country and again this morning in Brampton. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-sorenson/i-am-impressed-by-the-positive-and-insightful-feedback-we-have/)

[Kevin Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-sorenson/)

[Browse all 58 Consultation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consultation/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We look down on our scientists if they engage in outside consultation. We implicitly promote the ivory tower.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Vikram Sarabhai"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-engage-in-outside-consultation/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Consultation"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-engage-in-outside-consultation/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/vikram-sarabhai-59789_consultation_we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-e_2785089.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/vikram-sarabhai-59789_consultation_we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-e_2785089.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/vikram-sarabhai-59789_consultation_we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-e_2785089.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We look down on our scientists if they engage in outside consultation. We implicitly promote the ivory tower.” — Vikram Sarabhai",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Vikram Sarabhai",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We look down on our scientists...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-engage-in-outside-consultation/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/we-look-down-on-our-scientists-if-they-engage-in-outside-consultation/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
