"I would never have been a good scientist - my attention span was too short for that"

Octavia Butler's quote speaks to the significance of having a specific level of focus and devotion in order to achieve success in the field of science. It suggests that having a short attention span can be a hindrance to success in the field, as it can be tough to remain concentrated on a single job or project for an extended time period. This quote likewise indicates that Butler was aware of her own limitations and was honest with herself about her abilities. She had the ability to recognize that her absence of focus would have been a significant barrier to her success as a scientist, therefore she selected to pursue other interests instead. This quote acts as a suggestion that it is necessary to be honest with ourselves about our strengths and weak points, and to choose a profession path that finest fits our specific abilities and capabilities.