Science Fiction is the jazz of literature.

Reciprocal accountability, or criticism [is] the only known antidote to error.

The best time to act on this was decades ago. The second best time is now.

The worst mistake of first contact, made throughout history by individuals on both sides of every new encounter, has been the unfortunate habit of making assumptions. It often proved fatal.

The three basic material rights -- continuity, mutual obligation, and the pursuit of happiness.

In contrast, markets - oft mythologized as "natural" are the most unnatural things going. Libertarians will tell you "market laws are laws of nature", what baloney. Markets - and the other great modernist cornucopian tools - are magnificent wealth generating machines, built ad-hoc, through trial and error, constantly fine-tuned and refined, tinkered, adjusted.

One of the rules I try to follow is that normal people are going to be involved even in heroic events