The power of words is one of the strongest gifts bestowed on human kind. I am finally realizing how important speech and writing is in everyday life. I have also realized it's equally important to distinguish correct from false information. Especially in today's generation, with the internet, you cannot believe everything you read or hear. History proves this best from major blunders in the news and media such as the infamous headline “Dewey Defeats Truman”, to a list of some of the dumbest things ever said by humans. Therefore, I will list some great one liner quotes said by "important" figures. Before I list off some of these quotes, I want to make clear these are not dumb people. In actuality they are very intelligent. In my opinion they were unable to grasp the idea of innovation and change; instead becoming caught in old ways. There is a lesson to be learned, do not be naive, and never be set in your old ways. Always welcome and embrace change, however frightening it might seem.
“There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home”
-Kenneth Olsen, president and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977
“Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
Charles Duell, U.S. Commissioner on patents, 1899 (argument for closing U.S. Patents)
“There will never be a need for more than 4-5 computers in the world.”
-Thomas Watson, founder of IBM, 1948
“This telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication.”
-Western Union memo, 1876
The quotes above were more or less misjudged errors; wrong calculations if you will. The following are good ole dumb things said by people in considerable power positions. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
"Fiction writing is great, you can make up almost anything."
-Ivana Trump, on finishing her first novel
"The word 'genius' isn't applicable in football. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."
-Joe Theisman, quarterback and sports analyst
If you take out the killings, Washington actually has a very low crime rate.
- Marion Barry, mayor of Washington, D.C.
"The Stupidest Things Ever Said By Politicians" - by Ross and Kathryn Petras
"Get some devastation in the back."
-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, to a staff photographer as he posed for a photo op while visiting tsunami-ravaged Sri Lanka, Jan. 6, 2005 (Source)
Kyle Sawdey
The Fox Den