Philippe Petit Quotes
Usually, when I walk on a wire, I inspect the anchor point on both sides before crossing.
Petit, Philippe. On the High Wire. New Directions, 1985.
Issuing a statement over the health threat of dioxin in 1983:
Reflecting on the two scientists different views immediately after nuclear fission had first been demonstrated and explained--{640924}. The different “conservative” views reflect the norms and mores contrasts of the scientists and the political world. To the scientist saying something is possible before it has actually been demonstrated is unethical, and estimates of likelihood of success is not taken into account until there is evidence—that it has happened. Szilard’s conservatism was not concerned with undue optimism about something that has not yet occurred, but pragmatically it might happen and if so the political and practical implications for a world at war were so profound that preparations should be made even if a chain reaction could not be produced in the next years. In this disagreement, Szilard’s view prevailed and the two scientists led the efforts that produced the first chain reaction months later.
Philippe Petit is a French high-wire artist who gained fame for his high-wire walk between the towers of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, 1971, Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as his high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, on the morning of 7 August 1974. For his unauthorized feat 400 metres (1,312 feet) above the ground – which he referred to as "le coup" – he rigged a 200-kilogram (440-pound) cable and used a custom-made 8-metre (30-foot) long, 25-kilogram (55-pound) balancing pole. He performed for 45 minutes, making eight passes along the wire.
