Given that external reality is a fiction, the writer's role is almost superfluous. He does not need to invent the read more

Given that external reality is a fiction, the writer's role is almost superfluous. He does not need to invent the fiction because it is already there.

Some of us still get all weepy when we think about the Gaia Hypothesis, the idea that earth is a read more

Some of us still get all weepy when we think about the Gaia Hypothesis, the idea that earth is a big furry goddess-creature who resembles everybody's mom in that she knows what's best for us. But if you look at the historical record -- Krakatoa, Mt. Vesuvius, Hurricane Charley, poison ivy, and so forth down the ages -- you have to ask yourself: Whose side is she on, anyway?

Reason can answer questions, but imagination has to ask them.

Reason can answer questions, but imagination has to ask them.

Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.

Conscience is our magnetic compass; reason our chart.

The way I see things, the way I see life, I see it as a struggle. And there's a great read more

The way I see things, the way I see life, I see it as a struggle. And there's a great deal of reward I have gained coming to that understanding -- that existence is a struggle.

Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself.

Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself.

Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate read more

Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate or inanimate existence, leaves its impress upon the soul of man.

Contemporaries appreciate the person rather than their merit, posterity will regard the merit rather than the person.

Contemporaries appreciate the person rather than their merit, posterity will regard the merit rather than the person.

Not the power to remember, but its very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition for our existence.

Not the power to remember, but its very opposite, the power to forget, is a necessary condition for our existence.