"If Columbus had an advisory committee he would probably still be at the dock"

Arthur J. Goldberg’s poignant observation explores the tension between individual initiative and collective deliberation. The image of Columbus, poised to set sail toward the unknown, invokes the spirit of daring exploration and visionary risk-taking. Historically, Columbus’s journey was fraught with uncertainty, doubt, and the potential for failure. The mention of an advisory committee conjures the machinery of group decision-making, cautious, procedural, and often slow.

Committees typically function by pooling input, analyzing risks, and seeking consensus before action. While such processes are vital for thoroughness and inclusivity, they can be hampered by indecision, excessive caution, or conflicting viewpoints. As a result, the boldness necessary for pioneering ventures may be diluted. Goldberg’s analogy suggests that an advisory committee, faced with Columbus’s proposal, might bog down the process with endless debate about dangers, costs, and the possibility of failure. The spirit of adventure and willingness to risk the unknown for the sake of discovery might be overshadowed by risk aversion and the preference for safer alternatives.

The statement implicitly champions the role of individual visionaries in propelling society forward, those willing to defy conventions and take calculated risks in pursuit of transformative goals. It also offers a broader critique of bureaucratic inertia, wherein committees or councils, designed to prevent rash decisions, sometimes become obstacles to necessary progress or innovation.

Rather than dismissing the value of collaboration outright, the observation highlights the need for balance: while scrutiny and deliberation are essential, they should not stifle ambition or paralyze action. Groundbreaking achievements often require decisive leadership, conviction, and the courage to act despite uncertainty. Goldberg’s image of Columbus still at the dock thus becomes a powerful metaphor for the moments when bold action is required, even if consensus is lacking or all risks cannot be eliminated.