“The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
- January 2, 1920 – April 6, 1992
- Born in Russia
- Author, biochemist (professor)
- Wrote many science fiction works, including the Foundation series and the Robotics series
Quote
“The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ but ‘That’s funny…'”
Explanation
In this quote, Asimov highlights the importance of curiosity and the unexpected in the scientific process. The phrase “That’s funny…” suggests that something is amiss, or that the expected outcomes of a scientific experiment or observation have not occurred, prompting further investigation. Asimov implies that true discoveries often arise not from the grand moments of sudden insight (like the traditional “Eureka!” moment) but from the small anomalies, the moments when something doesn’t quite make sense, which spark deeper questioning and exploration. It’s in those moments of wonder and puzzlement that scientists find new avenues of inquiry, leading to breakthroughs.
Asimov, a lifelong advocate for scientific inquiry and critical thinking, was deeply familiar with the way science works. He knew that science is rarely a linear path of discovery; it often takes unexpected turns based on observations that defy conventional understanding. For Asimov, the joy of science wasn’t just in confirming what we already know, but in the moments of surprise—those instances when the world doesn’t behave as expected, and new truths are uncovered. His works often celebrated the excitement and potential of science, encouraging others to look for the hidden patterns and mysteries that could reveal previously unknown aspects of the universe.
In the modern world, Asimov’s quote still holds true in scientific discovery. Many of the greatest advances in fields like quantum physics, genetics, and astronomy have been driven by unexpected results or anomalies that led researchers to question the established theories. The phrase “That’s funny…” could just as easily be used today to describe the initial reactions to breakthroughs such as CRISPR gene editing or the discovery of dark matter. Asimov’s insight reminds us that the most exciting phase of discovery is often when things don’t go as expected, and it is these moments of curiosity and mystery that lead to the greatest advances in human understanding.
