Archive for September, 2008

People ask if machines can have souls. And I ask back whether souls can learn.

Marvin Minsky
The Society of Mind (1986) 4.3

When we are in love we wish that our defects might remain concealed—not from vanity but to keep the beloved from suffering.

Friedrich Nietzsche
The Gay Science (1881) #263

Anger and cynicism and the chatter about crisis in every department of life are but various ways of rationalizing the absence of public hope.

Jacques Barzun
The House of Intellect (1959) 51

It’s like a small, ugly miracle, the assortment of dumbshits in positions of authority.

Mary Guterson
We Are All Fine Here (2005) 43

“Well, I’ve never liked anyone who drove a coupe. Man or woman.” She said this like it was logical.

Catherine Clark
Wurst Case Scenario (2001) 264

But what is Freedom?
Rightly understood, a universal license to do good.

Hartley Coleridge
“Freedom”

Memory is like a dog that lies down where it pleases.

Cees Nooteboom
Rituals (1980) 1

My grail cup had a Coke logo on it.

Tom Grimes
WILL@epicqwest.com (2003) 159-60