How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Well, actually… " [Johnny] hesitated. "He said the scientists got us into this beastly mess in the first place and they're the only ones who can get us out of it now, if anyone can."
"He's not the first one to say that, Johnny. That's a truism." (1.16-17)
There are two aspects of this quote that help us understand this theme. The first is that this really is a self-evident truism in the novel, and the second is that this novel will not consider science blameless. It is likely the best way for humans to advance their knowledge and survival, but it still can cause slip ups from time to time.
Quote #2
"Hell, I don't either. But something's screwing up the nuclear resonance detection. We've got to track it down."
Cooper squinted at the erratic lines, as though measuring in his mind's eye the alterations that had to be made to study the problem further. "How?"
"If we can't remove the noise, study it. Find out what it's coming from. Is it occurring in all the indium antimonide samples? Does it filter in from some other lab here? Or is it something new? That sort of thing." (3.62-64)
Gordon's approach to figuring out the odd noise is an encapsulated scientific method. Ask a question, test your hypothesis, try to filter out outside influences, analyze the data, and try to derive information. It can be a slow and complex process, but this novel shows it as it really is rather than your typical Hollywood montage approach.
Quote #3
Peterson leaned back in his seat and studied Canadian wastes slipping by below. Yes, perhaps that was it. For decades now the picture of the world painted by the scientists had become strange, distant, unbelievable. Far easier, then, to ignore it than try to understand. Things were too complicated. Why bother? Turn on the telly, luv. Right. (11.143)
More and more, it seems as though only specialists can properly appreciate new scientific discoveries. It might not seem like much of a problem, but think about how often science crops up in your everyday life or in politics. Can people who ignore scientific learning be fit to make decisions based on that learning?