The assumption that you everyone else is like you. That you are the world. The disease of consumer capitalism. The complacent solipsism.

Most of the writers I know are weird hybrids. There's a strong streak of egomania coupled with extreme shyness. Writing's kind of like exhibitionism in private. And there's also a strange loneliness, and a desire to have some kind of conversation with people, but not a real great ability to do it in person.

In the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.

It's all very confusing. I think I'm very honest and candid, but I'm also proud of how honest and candid I am -- so where does that put me?

[T]o really try to be informed and literate today is to feel stupid nearly all the time, and to need help.

If you worship power, you will feel weak and afraid, needing ever more power over others to keep the fear at bay.

Please learn the pragmatics of expressing fear: sometimes words that seem to express really invoke. This can be tricky.