After all, what else is scientific enquiry of any sort other than a controlled version of banging one's head against the universe until something gives?

Luck, like a Russian car, generally only works if you push it.

Among the gods, there is a dispute as to which one of them originally thought of Christianity; or, as they call it, the Great Leg Pull. Apollo has the best claim, but a sizeable minority support Pluto, ex-God of the Dead, on the grounds that he has a really sick sense of humour. How would it be, suggested the unidentified god, if first we tell them all to love their neighbour, pack in the killing and thieving, and be nice to each other. Then we let them start burning heretics.

Mostly I sit at home in the evenings watching the box and hoping that one day I'll evolve into plankton.

After all, what else is scientific enquiry of any sort other than a controlled version of banging one's head against the universe until something gives?

Telling lies is a bit like tiling bathrooms - if you don't know how to do it properly, it's best not to try.

Human beings can get used to virtually anything, given plenty of time and no choice in the matter whatsoever.