The great battleground for the defense and expansion of freedom today is the whole southern half of the globe... the lands of the rising peoples. Their revolution is the greatest in human history. They seek an end to injustice, tyranny and exploitation. More than an end, they seek a beginning.
I am sorry to say that there is too much point to the wisecrack that life is extinct on other planets because their scientists were more advanced than ours.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that the possibility of life on other planets may be impacted by the advanced nature of their scientific understanding compared to ours.
John F. Kennedy's quote reflects on the idea that if extraterrestrial life exists, it may have reached a level of scientific advancement that surpasses our own, rendering deep space exploration futile. The wisecrack implies that our lack of discovery may hint at the existence of more advanced civilizations that are either too capable to engage with us or simply do not exist anymore, raising questions about progress and intelligence across the universe.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on astrobiology, one might use the quote to highlight the potential implications of our scientific progress compared to that of hypothetical alien civilizations.
More from John F. Kennedy
All quotes βI had always enjoyed the title of Commander-in-Chief until I was informed ... that the only forces that cannot be transferred from Washington without my express permission are the members of the Marine Corps Band. Those are the only forces I have. I want it announced that we propose to hold the White House against all odds at least for some time to come.
I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.
I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; Dear Jack, Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
Similar quotes
If there was one overarching theme to 'True Detective,' I would say it was that, as human beings, we are nothing but the stories we live and die by - so you'd better be careful what stories you tell yourself.
But whether I become a believer or remain an agnostic, my belief or disbelief must derive its source from within, not from without. I, myself, must create its symbols. The transcendental is that which produces its own form. I will never discover its secret if I do not find it in my own heart; if I do not possess it already I shall never be able to acquire it.
Did you, too, O friend, suppose democracy was only for elections, for politics, and for a party name? I say democracy is only of use there that it may pass on and come to its flower and fruit in manners, in the highest forms of interaction between people, and their beliefs - in religion, literature, colleges and schools- democracy in all public and private life.
Divine Nature gave the fields, human art built the cities.
For the message of television as metaphor is not only that all the world is a stage but that the stage is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
An idea's birth is legitimate if one has the feeling that one is catching oneself plagiarizing oneself.