In a lot of places, of course, the '80s had never really come to an end.

In a lot of places, of course, the '80s had never really come to an end.

The trouble with shooting people, Edie Banister now remembers, is that it's so hard to do just one.

Never mind, never mind, let's get to the part where we smite the unrighteous. I've brought my most alarming teeth!

And don't tell me the end justifies the means because it doesn't. We never reach the end. All we ever get is means. That's what we live with.

People don't want children to know what they need to know. They want their kids to know what they ought to need to know. If you're a teacher you're in a constant battle with mildly deluded adults who think the world will get better if you imagine it is better. You want to teach about sex? Fine, but only when they're old enough to do it. You want to talk politics? Sure, but nothing modern. Religion? So long as you don't actually think about it. Otherwise some furious mob will come to your house and burn you for a witch.

If we one day cease to exist, what will be remarkable is that we were ever here at all.