If you go back back a few hundred years, what we take for granted today would seem like magic - being able to talk to people over long distances, to transmit images, flying, accessing vast amounts of data like an oracle. These are all things that would have been considered magic a few hundred years ago.

I do love email. Wherever possible I try to communicate asynchronously. I'm really good at email.

I'm personally a moderate and a registered independent, so I'm not strongly Democratic or strongly Republican.

I think life on Earth must be about more than just solving problems... It's got to be something inspiring, even if it is vicarious.

The thing that's worth doing is trying to improve our understanding of the world and gain a better appreciation of the universe and not to worry too much about there being no meaning. And, you know, try and enjoy yourself. Because, actually, life's pretty good. It really is.

I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.

The rumours of the demise of the U.S. manufacturing industry are greatly exaggerated.