So those who wished for some central cosmic purpose for us, or at least our world, or at least our solar system, or at least our galaxy, have been disappointed, progressively disappointed. The universe is not responsive to our ambitious expectations.

We are the product of 4.5 billion years of fortuitous, slow biological evolution. There is no reason to think that the evolutionary process has stopped. Man is a transitional animal. He is not the climax of creation.

If the constellations had been named in the twentieth century, I suppose we would see bicycles and refrigerators in the sky.

Nothing disturbs me more than the glorification of stupidity.

There is a reward structure in science that is very interesting: Our highest honors go to those who disprove the findings of the most revered among us. So Einstein is revered not just because he made so many fundamental contributions to science, but because he found an imperfection in the fundamental contribution of Isaac Newton.

In the vastness of space and the immensity of time, it is my joy to share a planet and an epoch with Annie.

Cleverly designed experiments are the key.