The rules of grammar exist in large part to permit readers and writers to operate from a shared set of expectations.

You can't get decent Mexican food in DC.

In other centuries, human beings wanted to be saved, or improved, or freed, or educated. But in our century, they want to be entertained. The great fear is not of disease or death, but of boredom. A sense of time on our hands, a sense of nothing to do. A sense that we are not amused.

Geniuses never pay attention.

Scientific research was much like prospecting: you went out and you hunted, armed with your maps and instruments, but in the ened your preparations did not matter, or even your intuition. You needed your luck, and whatever benefits accrued to the diligent, through sheer, grinding hard work.

Do you know what we call opinion in the absence of evidence? We call it prejudice.

Sometimes women scare the hell out of me.