All science is either physics or stamp collecting.

Summary

This quote, attributed to influential physicist Ernest Rutherford, suggests that all fields of science can ultimately be boiled down to either physics or "stamp collecting", which is a metaphorical term for gathering and categorizing information without profound understanding. Rutherford's intention was likely to emphasize the fundamental importance of physics as the underlying discipline that explains the fundamental laws and principles governing the natural world. In other words, while different branches of science may specialize in specific areas, ultimately, they are built upon the foundations established by physics.

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