Seeking origin of quotation

[Alex De Kok]

As a keen science-fiction reader, a quote that stuck in my head is 'Sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic'.

Trouble is, I can't remember where from. I think it's Robert Heinlein, but even if it is, I can't remember which story.

Can anyone help?

Alex

 

[oggbashan]

Arthur C Clarke: Profiles of the Future.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Og

 

[gauchecritic]

Edited my answer. Should have known Og would be there.

Gauche

 

[oggbashan]

Nearly wasn't. I had to find it in an unlikely book called "Ghastly Beyond Belief" by Gaiman and Newman full of quotes from SF and Fantasy.

It is full of memorable quotes such as:

"My evil self is at the door, and I have no power to stop it." film: Forbidden Planet

Rolf got up and stretched his mighty legs. "I must go forth and slay an evil god," he said.
Tears came to Freya's eyes. "Somehow I knew, there in the Common House, that wedded ecstacy was not for me."
Ivar Jorgenson Whom the Gods Would Slay

Mad Doctor's Sane Daughter: "You've just got to stop these experiments!"
film: The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake 1959

Og

 

[Alex De Kok]

Thanks guys, I knew the Hangout would come up trumps!

Alex

 

[Quasimodem]

One of Heinlein's big quotes is: "When it's time to railroad, we will railroad."

(Speaking about how the state of technology affects the inevitability of many scientific advances, or, alternately, that until the state of technology reaches a particular plateau, any attempt at creating a dependant application will be unsuccessful. )

 

[MathGirl]

One of Heinlein's big quotes is: "When it's time to railroad, we will railroad."

(Speaking about how the state of technology affects the inevitability of many scientific advances, or, alternately, that until the state of technology reaches a particular plateau, any attempt at creating a dependant application will be unsuccessful. )

Dear Quaz,
I believe these are called "cultural inventions." When someone tried to patent the automobile about a hundred years ago, the courts ruled that it was not patentable because of this. Many advances from different directions made it possible.

Molecular computers are now possible, and in a few years they will be used in everyday applications. Not a single invention, though. A cultural development.
MG

 

[Quasimodem]

Math,

Tell it to Heinlein.

Here, I'll lend you my Ouija Board!

 

[snooper]

Sad fact ...

Molecular computers are now possible, and in a few years they will be used in everyday applications. Not a single invention, though. A cultural development.

That won't stop Bill Gates from trying to patent, copyright, trademark, design register, and generally hog them!

 

[MathGirl]

Re: Sad fact ...

That won't stop Bill Gates from trying to patent, copyright, trademark, design register, and generally hog them!

Dear Snoop,
I doubt that the fundamental process would be patentable. Work in the field is going on in too many places and funded by a very diverse bunch. DOD is very interested.
MG

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Sad fact ...

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Re: Sad fact ...

Geeks favorite news ite, Slashdot.com, runs stories of patent abuses regularly if you are interested in this.

Geez, Pierce, and I recently stated publically that you were sane and sensible.

sigh,

Perdita

 

[A7inchPhildo]

You know Some times I am amazed by what is shoveled on this site. Here is the real deal and all the legalities for Patent/Trademark in the USA. http://www.uspto.gov/

I happen to have a few Patents my self. What does that mean? Very little for example one of my Patents is for an auto-inflate tent, well there are eight other Patents on the same thing just not exact definition. More or less this means It can not be said it is not my idea for marketing purpose. To prove some one stole my idea is silly. I have a glass of grape juice, you have a glass of juice extracted from grapes.