I wrote somewhere during the Cold War that I sometimes wish the Iron Curtain were much taller than it is, so that you could see whether the development of science with no communication was parallel on the two sides. In this case it certainly wasn't.

In this quote, Thomas Gold reflects on the intellectual divide during the Cold War, specifically regarding the development of science in the Eastern and Western blocs. He expresses a somewhat ironic wish that the Iron Curtain, the symbolic and physical barrier between the Soviet-controlled East and the Western democracies, were taller, as this would provide a clearer distinction between the progress of scientific development on each side. Gold is essentially questioning whether scientific advancements on both sides of the Iron Curtain were parallel, despite the lack of direct communication and exchange between them.

Gold suggests that, in reality, the lack of communication between the two sides meant that scientific development did not occur in parallel. The Iron Curtain created a significant separation in the exchange of ideas, information, and research, which impacted the progress of science. Without the ability to share and collaborate freely, both sides were forced to develop their own scientific paths independently, which likely led to differences in their discoveries, methods, and technological advancements.

By stating that "in this case it certainly wasn't," Gold underscores that the scientific developments in the Eastern and Western blocs were not equally advanced or in sync. The political and ideological divide hindered the flow of knowledge and innovation, which may have affected the pace of scientific progress on both sides. Gold's remark highlights the larger consequences of the political isolation imposed by the Cold War on intellectual collaboration and growth.

Ultimately, Gold’s quote points to the limitations that political barriers, such as the Iron Curtain, can impose on global scientific progress. It serves as a reminder of how the lack of communication and collaboration between nations can impede the exchange of knowledge, slowing down the advancement of science and technology.