Death. It doesn't have to be boring.

For the scientists, they're kind of puzzled and pleased that somebody finds their work interesting. It makes it fun for me. I feel like I've sort of turned over a stone that hasn't been turned over.

In 'Packing for Mars,' I tried to convey the importance of getting young people interested in science.

You are a person and then you cease to be a person, and a cadaver takes your place.

The nobility of the human spirit grows harder for me to believe in. War, zealotry, greed, malls, narcissism. I see a backhanded nobility in excessive, impractical outlays of cash prompted by nothing loftier than a species joining hands and saying “I bet we can do this.” Yes, the money could be better spent on Earth. But would it? Since when has money saved by government red-lining been spent on education and cancer research? It is always squandered. Let’s squander some on Mars. Let’s go out and play.

All good research-whether for science or for a book-is a form of obsession.

I began thinking about my skeleton, this solid, beautiful thing inside me that I would never see.