Men are not to be told anything they might find too painful; the secret depths of human nature, the sordid physicalities, might overwhelm or damage them. For instance, men often faint at the sight of their own blood, to which they are not accustomed. For this reason you should never stand behind one in the line at the Red Cross donor clinic.

Why is it we want so badly to memorialize ourselves? Even while we're still alive. We wish to assert our existence, like dogs peeing on fire hydrants.

They will not let you have peace, they don't want you to have anything they don't have themselves.

Some bioengineering is good, especially if it results in plants that are more drought-resistant or perennial food crops.

I stand on the corner, pretending I am a tree.

My family was scientifically inclined: My brother did turn into a neurophysiologist, and I almost became a scientist myself. I could have gone that way.

Moira was like an elevator with open sides. She made us dizzy.