Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

The universal human laws - need, love for the beloved, fear, hunger, periodic exaltation, the kindness that rises up naturally in the absence of hunger/fear/pain - are constant, predictable, reliable, universal, and are merely ornamented with the details of local culture.

Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

If death is in the room, it's pretty interesting. But I would also say that I'm interested in getting myself to believe that it's going to happen to me. I'm interested in it, because if you're not, you're nuts. It's really de facto what we're here to find out about.

I'm finding, as I get older, that I'm not much of a believer in redemption. I mean, I believe in redemption in real life - redemption does happen, and it's cool when it does - but I find myself getting leery of my desire for it in stories (especially my own).

We try, we fail, we posture, we aspire, we pontificate - and then we age, shrink, die, and vanish.

It's funny with fiction - once you cut something, it hasn't happened anymore.