The universe for me was other planets and other star systems and other galaxies. I enjoyed tracking it, but it had no specific influence on my ambitions for that reason. It wasn't really far enough away from Earth to matter to me.

The universe's destiny has very little to do with the near-term destiny of Earth.

A scientist is just a kid who never grew up.

What would aliens say when told earthlings shift clocks twice a year to fool themselves into thinking there's more sunlight?

I'm a little fatigued of adults saying we've got to worry about the kids. And these are the same adults that don't know science and are running things and wielding resources and legislation.

You gotta be a good sport! So when I would lose, I would say, "That guy was better than I was; what do I have to do to be better next time?"

The Venus transit is not a spectacle the way a total solar eclipse is a spectacle.