Brain Wave Quotes

“ninety-nine per cent of the human race, no matter how smart they are, will do the convenient thing instead of the wise thing, and kid themselves into thinking they can somehow escape the consequences.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“Poor old G.K.C.! It's too bad he didn't live to see the change. What paradoxes he would have dreamed up!”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“Eventually, no doubt, increased intelligence would affect the total personality, but right now you’re not removing anyone’s weaknesses, ignorances, prejudices, blind spots, or ambitions; you’re just giving him more power, of energy and intelligence, to indulge them—which is one reason why civilization is cracking up.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“Istoria omului reprezinta o lupta continua intre instinct si inteligenta, intre ritmul involuntar al organismului si modelele autocreate ale constiintei.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“You’ve taken millions—hundreds of millions—of people who’ve never had an original thought in their lives and suddenly thrown their brains into high gear. They start thinking—but what basis have they got? They still retain the old superstitions, prejudices, hates and fears and greeds, and most of their new mental energy goes to elaborate rationalization of these.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“That was the worst of it. The sky didn’t care. The Earth went on turning through an endlessness of dark and silence, and what happened in the thin scum seething over its crust didn’t matter.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“And then, the world is so full of old hate and superstition, and so many people are nice and tolerant and practical about it, that it’s a wonder hell hasn’t boiled over more often throughout history.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“Once you’ve mastered your thoughts, you’ll be glad of this power,” he said gently.
“I wish they would bring back the old world,” she said.
“It was a cruel world,” he answered. “We’re well off without it.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“You’ll still need leaders, and stimulus, and a world symbol.” (That’s the basic emptiness in us today: we haven’t found a symbol. We have no myth, no dream. ‘Man is the measure of all things’—well, when the measure is bigger than everything else, what good is it?)
“We’re still pretty small potatoes.” Mandelbaum gestured at the window and the bluely glimmering sky.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“he said, and wondered if the engineers would ever be able to find the breaking strength of the human spirit. He felt very near to giving way.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“Sheila, you’ve got to hang on. All this is just an increased power to think—to visualize, to handle data and the dreams you yourself have created. Nothing more.”
“But it is changing me!” The horror of death was in her now. She fought it with something like wistfulness: “—and where has our world gone? Where are our hopes and plans and togetherness?”
“We can’t bring them back,” he replied. Emptiness, irrevocability: “We have to make out with what we have now.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“Survivor—under what conditions?”
“Any conditions. Adaptability, toughness, quickness—those are the things that count most.”
“I think kindness means a lot,” said Sheila timidly.
“It’s a luxury, I’m afraid, though of course it’s such luxuries that make us human,” said Mandelbaum. “Kindness to whom? Sometimes you just have to cut loose and get violent. Some wars are necessary.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“But if people are smarter,” began Sheila, “they’ll know enough to—”
“Sorry, no.” Mandelbaum shook his head. “Basic personality does not change, right? And intelligent people have always done some pretty stupid or evil things from time to time, just like everybody else. A man might be a brilliant scientist, let’s say, but that doesn’t stop him from neglecting his health or from driving recklessly or patronizing spiritualists or—”
“Or voting Democrat,” nodded Lewis, grinning. “That’s correct, Felix. Eventually, no doubt, increased intelligence would affect the total personality, but right now you’re not removing anyone’s weaknesses, ignorances, prejudices, blind spots, or ambitions; you’re just giving him more power, of energy and intelligence, to indulge them—which is one reason why civilization is cracking up.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave

“he claimed to be one of the last true conservatives—only, to conserve, you had to prune and graft and adjust.”
― Poul Anderson, Brain Wave