We could never know who we truly were until we heard the whispers of the stars.

What would happen is that people like Geroge and Alyx would grow old and die chasing a dream. Although there were probably worse things to do with one's life.

Throughout our long and sorry history it has been men who supposed themselves to be exemplars of integrity who have done all the damage. Every crusade, whether for decent literary standards or to cover women's bodies or to free the holy land, had been launched, endorsed, and enthusiastically perpetrated by men of character.

... the truth is that when your people don't tell you what you need to know, it's a failure of leadership.

How does it happen that the most intractable types always rise to the top?

Don't assume that a species is intelligent because it produces intelligent individuals.

If you want data to survive, carve it in rock.