Killing with the point lacks artistry, but don't let that hold your hand when the opening presents itself.

The function of science fiction is not always to predict the future but sometimes to prevent it.

Scientists seek the lawfulness of events. It is the task of Religion to fit man into this lawfulness.

Every civilization must contend with an unconscious force which can block, betray, or countermand almost any conscious intention of the collectivity.

Technology tends toward avoidance of risks by investors. Uncertainty is ruled out if possible. People generally prefer the predictable. Few recognize how destructive this can be, how it imposes severe limits on variability and thus makes whole populations fatally vulnerable to the shocking ways our universe can throw the dice.

The mistakes (of leaders) are amplified by the numbers who follow them without question. Charismatic leaders tend to build up followings, power structures and these power structures tend to be taken over by people who are corruptible. I don't think that the old saw about 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely' is accurate: I think power attracts the corruptible.

When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. Their movements become headlong - faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thoughts of obstacles and forget the precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it's to late.