Paul Dirac
"In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in the case of poetry, it's the exact opposite."
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:25, 4 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

I like that.

( girlinthehole, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:27, Reply)

I think he was trying to say two things at once there.

( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:29, Reply)

Is one of them "You'll have to read this twice?"

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:54, Reply)

I think he's wrong

( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:31, Reply)

I know it comes off as a bit disdainful of poetry
but I agree with the implication that poetry deals with ordinary experiences using extraordinary language.
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:17, Reply)

I think he is saying that poetry
says things we all know in a way which obfuscates them. Really, poetry (at least in its best form) illuminates ordinary situations by crafting language to articulate the thing/feeling/something in a way which gets to its heart.
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:25, Reply)

I'd say poetry often does obfuscate commonplace things
at least insofar as it will deliberately approach them from an unexpected angle, which is not a bad thing. I think Dirac was just being flippant and, according to wikiquote, may have been having a cheeky pop at Oppenheimer.
(Zoz prayed for twink on, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:42, Reply)

"Science is talking about the universe in words we can understand."
"Magic is talking to the universe in words it can't ignore."
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:46, Reply)

In a similar vein
"Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings."
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:48, Reply)

Hahaha.

( girlinthehole, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:50, Reply)

Good one!

( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 19:52, Reply)

I can't remember who said that, I'm afraid

( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:03, Reply)

richarddawkins.net/articles/3567
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:09, Reply)

I'd have thought he could afford a .com domain with his racket.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:31, Reply)

I bet it was registered by someone with charisma.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:31, Reply)

Ha!

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:33, Reply)

Ahahaha

(berk, Sun 3 Apr 2011, 20:03, Reply)