Top 87 Bad Predictions

[porcy62]

Maybe it's no new, but I found it funny

http://www.2spare.com/item_50221.aspx

[Dan Gould]

«If I had thought about it, I wouldn't have done the experiment. The literature was full of examples that said 'you can't do this'.»

Spencer Silver on the work that led to the unique adhesives for 3-M "Post-It" Notepads.

I was always told that the adhesive used on Post-It notes was the result of multiple, failed attempts at creating a stronger adhesive.

Anyway, some of those were familiar, some not and most were definitely amusing. Reminded me of the talent scout's report on Fred Astaire:

Can't sing or act. Short, balding. Can dance a little.

[porcy62]

The list is lacking the famous quote about the Beatles's failed audition at Decca:

"guitar groups are on the way out"

[BruceH]

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see my favorite recent one: "We will be greeted as liberators."

[Dan Gould]

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see my favorite recent one: "We will be greeted as liberators."

No politics, please, and anyway, they were by the Shia majority.

[BruceH]

Some of the quotes are very political indeed, but fair enough.

[Big Wheel]

Whoever compiled these is a poor reader who can't distinguish between a normative statement and a prediction. For example, the Charles Darwin quote:

«I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone.»

Darwin isn't saying that he predicts that his views will be uncontroversial to the religious. He's saying that there aren't any good reasons why religious people would find his views controversial. That is, people certainly may find his book controversial in light of their religious beliefs, but if they do they are doing so without good reasons (the likely corollary to this is that they don't understand what his views actually are and are thus taking issue with strawmen).

[porcy62]

Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see my favorite recent one: "We will be greeted as liberators."

No politics, please, and anyway, they were by the Shia majority.

Damn!

I will post always in the political forum, even the latest BN reissues, so nobody will come out with "NO POLITICS, PLEASE"!

Everything has a political side, let's face it. When we are complaining about the majors, the prices of CD, Norah Jones or deletions of records in big labels' catalogues, we are talking about economy and POLITIC. The point is if one takes Bruce's post only as a joke, and the thread follows the topic, or if sweeps into a harsh political discussion. We are growned enough to accept a joke about politic in a thread outside the political forum, aren't we?

Edited November 1, 2007 by porcy62

[Dan Gould]

Speak for yourself. There are many people here who believe that the rule that "politics is to be discussed in a forum which people opt into should be followed in all cases.

[BruceH]

I, for one, am not sure I'm growned up enough.

Actually, I think porcy's got a good point, but I sure as hell don't feel like arguing about it.

Edited November 1, 2007 by BruceH

[BruceH]

Whoever compiled these is a poor reader who can't distinguish between a normative statement and a prediction. For example, the Charles Darwin quote:

«I see no good reasons why the views given in this volume should shock the religious sensibilities of anyone.»

Darwin isn't saying that he predicts that his views will be uncontroversial to the religious. He's saying that there aren't any good reasons why religious people would find his views controversial.

And he's right; there are no GOOD reasons...there are moronic ones, though.

[skeith]

Hey, what about Goodspeak's prediction for the World Series?

[porcy62]

Speak for yourself. There are many people here who believe that the rule that "politics is to be discussed in a forum which people opt into should be followed in all cases.

Actually I speak for myself, as everybody here does. I presume, since I start this thread I am allowed to ask Jim to move this thread in the political forum so I'll be free to express my points without hurting you. So, please Jim, may you move this thread into Political forum? (sorry for the trouble).

From the Free Speech Movement to the "politically correct". Do you call it "progress"?

Good Luck!

Edited November 1, 2007 by porcy62