[Ads-l] Quote Origin: Stupidity is like hydrogen; it's everywhere, it's the basic building block of the universe (Update)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

A popular family of sayings comments on the ubiquity of hydrogen and
stupidity in the universe. This family is highly mutable and difficult
to trace. Speculative fiction writer Harlan Ellison and musician Frank
Zappa have both received credit for versions of this saying.

Way back in 2014, I created a Quote Investigator article on this
topic. At that time Harlan Ellison was the leading candidate for the
saying's originator based on a 1985 citation. Now, Frank Zappa is the
leading candidate based on 1980 and 1981 citations. Thanks to
correspondent Charles Ulrich for pointing to these citations.

Here is a link to the updated QI article:
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/01/09/hydrogen/

In February 1980 the periodical "Trouser Press" of New York City
published an interview of Frank Zappa conducted by Michael Bloom:

[ref] 1980 February, Trouser Press, Volume 7, Number 1, Frank Zappa:
Interview with the Composer by Michael Bloom, Start Page 18, Quote
Page 20, Column 1, Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press, New York, New York.
(Verified with scans at trouserpress.com and afka.net on July 30,
2022) link [/ref]
https://trouserpress.com/magazine-covers-5/

[Begin excerpt]
At heart, though, Zappa just grits his teeth and expects the worst.
"When things are really stupid, when they're really stupid, I'm not
surprised. What surprises me is if things turn out good—anything that
rises above the general level of mediocrity. Wonderful is something
else, you know. I just think the norm of the universe is stupidity.
Stupidity is like hydrogen; it’s everywhere, it's the basic building
block of the universe."
[End excerpt]

In 1981 the periodical "The Event" of Park City, Utah published an
interview of Frank Zappa conducted by Steve Chapman. Zappa spoke again
about hydrogen and stupidity:

[ref] 1981 December, The Event: Wasatch Front's Entertainment, Food,
Activities Guide, Volume 1, Number 8, Section: Special Feature, Zappa:
A Look At The Salt Lake Favorite by Steve Chapman, An Interview with
Frank Zappa, Unnumbered Page, Column 4, Blizzard Publishing Company,
Park City, Utah. (Accessed afka.net on Augst 10, 2026; verified with
scans) link [/ref]
http://www.afka.net/Articles/1981-11_The_Event.htm

[Begin excerpt]
Zappa: I'm not scared of anybody but you have to remember that another
cornerstone of my philosophy is that Science believes that hydrogen is
one of the building blocks of the universe. I disagree. I say that the
most plentiful substance in the universe is stupidity. There's more
stupidity per square foot in this universe than anything else. People
can go on talking about hydrogen as much as they want to, but
stupidity is where it's at.
[End excerpt]

Feedback welcome
Garson O'Toole

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