Quote from Einstein

“Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.” Albert Einstein

An interesting sentiment coming from one of the greatest minds of the 20th century. But then Elon Musk and Bill Gates have also expressed some reservations about technology. And recently, it looks like Silicon Valley may regard excessive screen time as bad for you.

Before I left for the Managers’ Conference, I wanted to make a T-Shirt of Einstein with one of his sayings, either something about God playing with dice or about preference for imagination over knowledge, so I did some research to find a bunch of quotes from him. There were three about technology, the one just quoted and the following:

“I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interactions. The world will have a generation of idiots.” Ibid.

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“Most people say that it is the intellect that makes a great scientist. They are wrong; it is character.” Ibid.

That second quote hints at the times he lived through as a Jew who escaped Nazi Germany. Here’s more:

“The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of people who don’t do anything about it.” Ibid.

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“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.” Ibid.

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“Force always attract men of low morality.” Ibid.

Hmmm, interesting, considering what we are going through in this world now.

Finally, I found a set of sayings that someone pulled together that expresses Einstein’s sentiments. I don’t think he said those words exactly, but the person, whoever he is, captured in short form several of Einstein’s thoughts:

1. Follow your curiosity.
2. Perseverance is priceless.
3. Focus on the present.
4. The imagination is powerful.
5. Make mistakes.
6. Live in the moment.
7. Create value.
8. Don’t be repetitive.
9. Knowledge comes from experience.
10. Learn the rules, then play better.