It's perfectly ordinary to be a socialist. It's perfectly normal to be in favor of fire departments.

I'm odd, I know,' he said. 'It's fear of myself that's made me odd.

in nonsense is strength

Here's what I think the truth is: We are all addicts of fossil fuels in a state of denial, about to face cold turkey.

Incidentally, I am honorary president of the American Humanist Association, having succeeded the great science fiction writer and biochemist Dr. Isaac Asimov. John Updike, who is religious, says I talk more about God than any seminarian. Socialism is, in fact, a form of Christianity, people wishing to imitate Christ.

I am of course a skeptic about the divinity of Christ and a scorner of the notion that there is a God who cares how we are or what we do.

How’s the patient?” asked Derby. “Dead to the world.” “But not actually dead.” “No.” “How nice - to feel nothing, and still get full credit for being alive.