If all pleasure is relief from tension, junk affords relief from the whole life process, in disconnecting the hypothalamus, which is the center of psychic energy and libido.

Panic is the sudden realization that everything around you is alive.

I read a lot of books for information, like doctor books, spy books. . . .

Most people don't see what's going on around them. That's my principal message to writers: 'For God's sake, keep your eyes open. Notice what's going on around you.'

Most serious writers refuse to make themselves available to the things that technology is doing. I've never been able to understand this sort of fear.

The only possible ethic is to do what one wants to do.

[Political movements] both favor alcohol and are against pot.