"When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is

"When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong." -- Arthur C. Clarke If you're looking at academic papers, no wonder you don't believe it. http://groups.google.com/group/Hutter-Prize/browse_thread/thread/641692e9f72d53c2 http://groups.google.com/group/Hutter-Prize/browse_thread/th... http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2005-05-22-n83.html http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2005-05-22-n83.html > Blind optimism is as unreasonable as blind pessimism. Oh no. Guess which one is more useful. I hope my competitors are all very reasonable people.