Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history?

Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history? by sfilargi on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @01:34AM (#13469264)

I think in that event, teaching them how to fish would be more important than giving them a fish.

My suggestion would be something that would promote free thought. "All men are equal and thought, ideas, and speech should never be punished" or something along these lines.

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Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history? by euyyn on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @01:54AM (#13469353)

Well, he was just doing a mental exercise on passing the most information, not the most utility.

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Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history? by riffraff on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @02:17AM (#13469441)

while I obviously agree those are important ideas, a lot of our knowledge in "science" was done during times when this didn't apply, so I feel like free thought/equality is something that arises naturally as science marches on.

Other than the already mentioned experimental method, IMO the most efficient idea (which also would end up encouraging free thought) would be: "spread knowledge, build libraries, and don't burn books".

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Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history? by elihu on Tuesday January 24, 2017 @03:18AM (#13469663)

Perhaps simply the idea that knowledge could be transcribed onto physical objects and conveyed to other people across intervening time and distance would be a good candidate as the most important idea in human history?

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Re:Is atomic theory the most important idea in human history? by dwaltrip on Wednesday January 25, 2017 @02:05AM (#13479362)

How about:

"Skeptically question the nature of things, doubt your assumptions, relentlessly test the conclusions, and pass on any learnings".

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