shutz 166 points a year ago

Faraday, after demonstrating how moving a magnet through a coiled wire induced a current in the wire was asked by a visiting statesman what was the use of this.

Faraday responded, "In twenty years, you will be taxing it"

Similarly, at a demonstration of hot air balloons in France, Benjamin Franklin was asked "Of what use is this?"

Franklin replied, "Of what use is a newborn baby?"

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Landless2029 42 points a year ago

Everything I've ever heard about Franklin makes him a boss. This is a new one.

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musubibreakfast 35 points a year ago

Here's a little known fact that is not true, which will bring some nuance to the previous anecdote, Benjamin Franklin ate babies.

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davidgro 22 points a year ago

Sounds like Faraday understood the... potential.

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gandalf_der_12te 8 points a year ago

Funnily enough, Faraday seemingly also understood that the Electric Field only possesses a potential in the absence of changing magnetic fields. Because only in the absence of changing magnetic fields, the rotation of the Electric Field is zero, and only then it has a potential.

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Anti_Face_Weapon 18 points a year ago

That's a really cool Franklin quote. Visionary.

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GraniteM 10 points a year ago

"Mr. Franklin, of what use is this hot air balloon contraption?"

"You can take ladies up in it with a bottle of wine and a blanket and you know, they can’t refuse, because of the implication. Think about it. She's floating up in the middle of the sky with some dude she barely knows. You know, she looks around, and what does she see? Nothing but open air. 'Ahhhh! There’s nowhere for me to run. What am I gonna do, say ‘no?’"

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Reddfugee42 -4 points a year ago

That last bit is me when dealing with people who "aren't impressed" by today's AI.

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Saleh 7 points a year ago

The problem isn't the "AI". It is people praising its babbling as the solution for everything.

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ameancow 4 points a year ago

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