Incorrect Einstein quote: Change the facts.

[Digital Science]

When the Scientific Theory tech is researched, a quote is presented and attributed to Albert Einstein. "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.". Einstein never said anything of the kind. That statement runs contrary to everything he stood for. As a scientist, it is frankly offensive that this misinformation is being propagated. Please choose a different quote, one Einstein actually said.


'Quora

Also, as confirmed by the Albert Einstein estate.

 

[9gkj548hkm20vk79dj689bnj4]

I don't know how many of them are flat-out untrue like this one. But yes most are pretty lousy.

I've seen threads here were a lot of users suspected they just got some intern to research the 'net for "cute" sounding quotes about technology and barely did any real research into them. It's a real shame. Like that stupid Garrison Keillor one that makes no sense (I never liked him anyway).

 

[pokiehl]

Yep, that's bad. There's also...

• The completely fake Da Vinci quote---which is doubly troubling because it's the basis for the entire theme song, Sogno di Volare!
• The completely fake John Quincy Adams, Churchill, George Carlin, Mark Twain, and George Bernard Shaw quotes
• The quotes that are inexplicably altered from what was actually said
• The quote for Space Race that parrots the debunked lie that "heehee NASA was too stupid to use pencils in space!”
• The numerous quotes from random pulp fiction/science fiction authors who aren't even notable enough to have Wikipedia pages
• The myriad quotes that have literally nothing to do with the subject at hand but are just paper-thin metaphors at best (Replaceable Parts) or bizarre non-sequiturs at worst (Great Zimbabwe, anyone?)
• The quotes from random internet bloggers ("Rocks in my path..." and the Mt. Kilimanjaro quote...)
• The quotes from self-help gurus
• The general tone of snark and smugness throughout many quotes

And on and on...

It has been 6 years since the game released and I still can't believe that they paid out the nose for Sean Bean to say this stuff.

If you’re on a platform that supports modding, you should check out @SeelingCat ’s awesome mod “Proverbium” which overhauls the quotes in the game to be much more relevant, thoughtful, and reverential towards history.

 

[bbbt]

That statement runs contrary to everything he stood for.

I mean this is a game series where Gandhi turns into a nuclear madman. Not sure they are quite concerned about that.

 

[pokiehl]

I mean this is a game series where Gandhi turns into a nuclear madman. Not sure they are quite concerned about that.

It’s not comparable. You’re talking about gameplay—the game has never purported to be a history simulator.

The quotes are intended to be truthful, relevant insights into the topic at hand. The entire concept of using notable quotations is predicated on their veracity; that’s why they’re attributed! Otherwise, the quotes would just be whatever the writers made up with no attribution needed.

 

[bbbt]

It’s not comparable. You’re talking about gameplay—the game has never purported to be a history simulator.

The quotes are intended to be truthful, relevant insights into the topic at hand. The entire concept of using notable quotations is predicated on their veracity; that’s why they’re attributed! Otherwise, the quotes would just be whatever the writers made up with no attribution needed.

I'd say it is comparable, in the context I was attempting to reference, that they aren't concerned about a historical persona's 'reputation' and will happily sacrifice it for a joke. Pacifist uses nukes. Lol. Scientist disses facts. Lol.

Similarly the entire concept of using notable leaders is predicated on that leader having a passing reference to their personality and deeds. Otherwise you could just have a blank slate leader ala Humankind.

Gandhi's AI is given a prediliction to have the nuke happy agenda, which is an explicit depiction for the joke, not an open gameplay choice.

 

[pokiehl]

Gandhi’s nuke preference is an amplification of what can already organically happen; again, not a history simulator.

Additionally, the Gandhi nuke thing is a joke that everyone is already in on; whether it’s actually funny is up to you.

There’s nothing comedic about using outright wrong or fake quotes.

 

[9gkj548hkm20vk79dj689bnj4]

Is this the mod?

Steam Workshop::Proverbium

steamcommunity.com

 

[Teproc]

Not sure how one can fail to see the humour of that particular quote being inacurrate, but I guess here we are. You may not think it's appropriate for the quotes to be mostly comedic in nature, but that's clearly the path they went with for this game, and this quote fits that approach.

 

[AntSou]

Not sure how one can fail to see the humour of that particular quote being inacurrate, but I guess here we are. You may not think it's appropriate for the quotes to be mostly comedic in nature, but that's clearly the path they went with for this game, and this quote fits that approach.

There's no intention whatsoever at being comedic in inaccurately attributing a quote. It requires some mental gymnastics to reach that conclusion.

So your first sentence does not connect with the second. Agreeing or not with the comedic tone has little to do with inaccurately attributing quotes.

edit: your argument would make sense If it were the only fake quote. Attributing quotes to Einstein is basically an internet meme. But since it's a common occurrence, it doesn't add up.

 

[9gkj548hkm20vk79dj689bnj4]

if the intent was to be a "joke" that longtime Civ players were expecting good quotes but got lousy ones instead, well, then that's certainly a level of humor far below my age...

I can't imagine what a person whose first game was Civ 6 thinks about being told quotes that are simply false. "Oh, I'm not supposed to take this seriously"??? Is that what the game devs were going for?

 

[Takfloyd]

Out of all the missteps Civ VI made, this one is the gravest. Most of the quotes feel like an insult, like they're mocking people for caring about history and science and not just treating the game like a toy.

 

[pokiehl]

Is this the mod?

Steam Workshop::Proverbium

steamcommunity.com

Yep!

Not sure how one can fail to see the humour of that particular quote being inacurrate, but I guess here we are. You may not think it's appropriate for the quotes to be mostly comedic in nature, but that's clearly the path they went with for this game, and this quote fits that approach.

This is a downright bizarre interpretation.

 

[bbbt]

Gandhi’s nuke preference is an amplification of what can already organically happen; again, not a history simulator.

It's a choice that's part of a depiction. Just like they chose to depict Canada as the most peaceful Civ in the game by the no surprise wars ability.

Additionally, the Gandhi nuke thing is a joke that everyone is already in on; whether it’s actually funny is up to you.

There’s nothing comedic about using outright wrong or fake quotes.

Using fake or misappropriated quotes is a pretty standard comedic take. It's literally a meme format.

No it's not a history simulator. It's silly, fitfully entertaining nonsense from end to end. This includes the quotes, a lot of which are failed attempts at humor.

It's clearly just me, but I can't see how someone can be like LOL nuclear gandhi, but then get worked up about a fake quote being character assassination. They both seem equally stupid to me.

 

[Hellenism Salesman]

Not sure how one can fail to see the humour of that particular quote being inacurrate, but I guess here we are.

It is pretty fitting for this quote in particular, yes, even if I value the accuracy of the quote over the clever meta humor. The tech is Scientific Theory, something one would hope your Civilization is developing based on evidence...

 

[Lonecat Nekophrodite]

Actually I missed 'One Word Plastic' quote from Civ5

There were no quotes from big hit Amines so far. There's gotta be one in Civ7

 

[Benevolent Dictator]

I've never been able to source the Masonry quote from former Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson.

It seems like a very random inclusion unless there's a Canadian on the writing team.

 

[Uberfrog]

Yeah the quotes suck. I think even Firaxis realised it - there’s a marked increase in quality, or at least seriousness, between the base game and the expansions.

The same applies to the Civilopedia. The original writers really didn’t strike the right note.

 

[AntSou]

It's clearly just me, but I can't see how someone can be like LOL nuclear gandhi, but then get worked up about a fake quote being character assassination. They both seem equally stupid to me.

But Nuclear Gandhi isn't intended as a joke by itself, but in it being a bug which was then turned into a joke within the context of the series. It's an inside joke which requires context. It's no longer about Gandhi, but the Civ Character.

Again, the misattributed "facts" quote may even be seen as smart, but when there are so many other mistakes, it can't be seen as intentional. And if they wanted it to be intentional, they'd likely have added it to Propaganda or Social Media or something, to make the absurdity clear.

 

[Krajzen]

But Nuclear Gandhi isn't intended as a joke by itself, but in it being a bug which was then turned into a joke within the context of the series. It's an inside joke which requires context. It's no longer about Gandhi, but the Civ Character.

The best part is, there has never been such a bug, it is a myth; some time ago somewhere on those forums explained this and dug out how the misconception that there was such a bug was born out of some joke around a decade ago

This makes me dislike that one - note joke even more; not only we have real life amazing man's legacy eclipsed by the joke which is fairly insulting in his context, it is built around fake urban legend.