Even if the whole human race dies off because we keep fighting and killing each other and being heartless, the planet will take care of itself. Eventually, after millions of years, it will cleanse itself, and new life forms, maybe better ones, will come. Meanwhile, we'll have gotten exactly what we deserved: annihilation.

One of my first role models was Eugene Lang, a wealthy businessman who went back to his elementary school in East Harlem and addressed the sixth-grade class. He looked out at that sea of faces and said, "If any of you wants to go to college, I will pay for it." When I read that, I burst into tears. It was so generous and so basic. Not fluffy. I can't understand why we scrimp on education and shortchange our kids. Why would the citizenry do that to the people who are going to inherit its republic?

We're all divine, but I was the only one who had the nerve to call myself that.

The Internet has changed everything. People will be discovered online. People buy music online. It's a completely different way to get entertainment.

It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.

Romance is an illusion. Well, romance is not a complete illusion, but it's ephemeral. It does not last.

Marriage is such hard work. And it's full of rage and real human drama.