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Gregory (Albert) Benford
(30 Jan 1941 - )
American astrophysicist and writer whose scientific career contributes a basis of scientific knowledge that underpins his science fiction works. His first short story appeared in 1965, since followed by many novels. He has also been prolific in nonfiction—both scientific and journalistic.
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Science Quotes by Gregory (Albert) Benford (4 quotes)
Astronomy, Benjamin mused, was a lot like a detective story with the clues revealed first, and the actual body only later—if ever.
— Gregory (Albert) Benford
Eater (2000). In Gary Westfahl, Science Fiction Quotations: From the Inner Mind to the Outer Limits (2006), 323.
Benford's Law of Controversy: Passion is inversely proportional to the amount of real information available.
— Gregory (Albert) Benford
In novel, Timescape (1992), no page numbering. The reference in the orginal text uses the past tense.
We fondly imagine that evolution drives toward higher intelligence. But eagles would think evolution favored flight, elephants would naturally prefer the importance of great strength. Sharks would feel that swimming was the ultimate desirable trait, and eminent Victorians would be quite convinced that evolution preferred Victorians.
— Gregory (Albert) Benford
Eater (2000). In Gary Westfahl, Science Fiction Quotations: From the Inner Mind to the Outer Limits (2006), 116.
Why do the laws that govern [the universe] seem constant in time? One can imagine a Universe in which laws are not truly law-full. Talk of miracle does just this, invoking God to make things work. Physics aims to find the laws instead, and hopes that they will be uniquely constrained, as when Einstein wondered whether God had any choice when He made the Universe.
— Gregory (Albert) Benford
Gregory Benford, in John Brockman, What We Believe But Cannot Prove. In Clifford A. Pickover, Archimedes to Hawking: Laws of Science and the Great Minds Behind Them (2008), 182-183.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
