1. 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.
2. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
3. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

[…]
As three laws were good enough for Newton, I have modestly decided to stop there.

(from Profiles of the Future, by Arthur C. Clarke)

I like these rules. They express my feelings about inspiration and R&D very neatly. Not only do they sound good, if you actually live (or work) as though they were true, you will find yourself in an exciting place of discovery.

Very on track with my (current) favorite media quote: “If I ran like everybody else, I’d be back there with them” (Michael Johnson), and my long-standing office slogan: “The people saying it can’t be done should shut up while we’re doing it.”

Reminiscent also of Vizzini the Sicilian in The Princess Bride, who drives his companions crazy by constantly labelling the progress of their pursuer as “inconceivable.”

[via Pasta&Vinegar]