Spinden Quotes in Kon-Tiki (2012)

Spinden: [about Thor's theories] The wise men of anthropology are quite clear that Polynesia was not populated from the east.

Thor Heyerdahl: Wise men are not always right, Sir.

Spinden: [In Spinden's office] Look around you. Every book in here offers some theory or another. Most written by one man, read by perhaps only ten of whom nine disagree with the theory.

Thor Heyerdahl: But my theory provides evidence that Polynesia was settled from the east. I've spent ten years writing and researching my thesis. I lived on Fatu Hiva. Professor... I lived my theory.

Spinden: What number am I? How many publishers have you seen before me? I know you've been to Barbeau and Benedict. I presume Meade and Hill-Tout. All scientists assume the world is waiting to hear from them. The fact that I am your last hope ought to tell you something.

Thor Heyerdahl: Yes, that scientific publishing is completely closed to new ideas. It tells me that when you ignore evidence, nothing...

Spinden: [angry] Listen to me! You claim that the Peruvian pre-Inca civilization was remarkable.

Thor Heyerdahl: I agree.

Spinden: And that the prevailing winds and currents in the Pacific down there move from east to west. But, it is also the case that Tiki could not have travelled to Polynesia because his people had no boats!

Thor Heyerdahl: No. But they had rafts. They had balsa wood rafts.

Spinden: [suspicious] Rafts! Now that would be evidence! You want your theory to be accepted? You want to be right? Then go ahead. Drift from Peru to Polynesia on a balsa wood raft. Good luck!