"I was in an industrial laboratory because academia found me unsuitable"

This quote by Benoit Mandelbrot talks to the idea that academia is not constantly the very best fit for everyone. Mandelbrot was likely describing his own experience of not having the ability to find success in the academic world. He was likely unable to find a place in the conventional scholastic setting, so he needed to look in other places for his career. This quote recommends that Mandelbrot found a place in an industrial laboratory, which was a much better suitable for him. This quote speaks with the idea that everyone has various strengths and weak points, which it is very important to find the best environment for each individual. It also speaks with the concept that there are several courses to success, and that it is important to discover the one that works finest for you.