Quoting these statements are a little absurd. More so, when you consider that all of these statements are in the [their respective] present tense, and not making a declaration or prophecy of any kind.
Let me rephrase some of these for you to illustrate:
- There is no reason [in present time, that I know of as to why] anyone would want a computer in their home. - Ken Olsen, 1977
- I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that [from their current understanding of current applications of data processing that] data processing is a fad that won’t last out the year. - Editor of Prentice Hall business books, 1957
- There's no chance [that I am going to admit to my share holders] that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. - Steve Ballmer, USA Today, April 30, 2007
- I think there is a world market for maybe five computers [currently/at this time]. -- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943
Let me rephrase some of these for you to illustrate:
- There is no reason [in present time, that I know of as to why] anyone would want a computer in their home. - Ken Olsen, 1977
- I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that [from their current understanding of current applications of data processing that] data processing is a fad that won’t last out the year. - Editor of Prentice Hall business books, 1957
- There's no chance [that I am going to admit to my share holders] that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. - Steve Ballmer, USA Today, April 30, 2007
- I think there is a world market for maybe five computers [currently/at this time]. -- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943