Neil deGrasse Tyson, an “expert on The Universe” — which has to be the sweetest job description ever — holds a Q&A session at Google:
I’m not worried about kids. I’m worried about grown ups. These are the ones who vote. These are the ones who tell you, “The world is coming to an end in 2012!”
Kids don’t say that — grown ups do.
I’m worried about grown ups who say, “Read my horoscope! Tell me where they’ll find money tomorrow!” Grown ups say this — not children. Children do not read horoscopes. Children are perfectly happy counting through the number 13. Children are not afraid to walk under ladders. They see a black cat cross their path, they say, “Oh the kitty!” and they want to pet it — not run in the other direction. Children are not the problem here.
Kids are born curious. They’re always exploring. We spend the first year of their lives teaching them how to walk and talk. And the rest of their lives telling them to shut up and sit down.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
If only adults were as fearless as children. Imagine a world where people aren’t afraid of being wrong. Of being different. Of not knowing something. Of failing. Kids are naturally curious. Vastly creative. Think they can do anything. Then we change them.
posted on December 4th, 2009 in quotes
I don’t like mondays.
- Brenda Ann Spencer
The quote above is 16-year-old Brenda’s answer to why she shot and killed Cleveland Elementary School’s principal and head custodian, while injuring 8 children and a police officer. Her remorseless response & lack of serious explanation for the attack inspired the song I Don’t Like Mondays. Listen to Tori Amos’ haunting cover rendition.
There’s an unfortunately long list of school shootings, with a tiny silver lining: A local community college (that I eventually attended for a quarter) is omitted from this list, thanks to Kelly Bennett, who helped prevent a tragedy in January 2001.
posted on January 12th, 2009 in quotes
I just simply wouldn’t do anything that I wasn’t terribly in charge of. I don’t let anything go. I worry about the font on the back of the DVD.
-Ricky Gervais in an interview with The A.V. Club from 2007
You know it’s true: Ricky Gervais is the director/writer/star of two hit television shows, The Office and Extras.
His quote reminds me of Tonedeff, a hip hop artist who released his debut album, Archetype, in 2005. Most of the album was produced by himself with guest appearances confined to one song. Included was a self-edited DVD of extras and a self-designed cover/booklet.
Also, I’ve read that David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos writes the story arcs for each season and finalizes the scripts for every episode.
In my opinion, these guys consistently put out high quality creative media, but usually with a longer delay between project releases (since they have to stretch themselves across several jobs and take their time with the creative process).
Television shows, movies, record albums, etc. that are essentially created by committees might release things at a quicker pace, but the voice/tone and feel isn’t nearly as consistent cause so many people are throwing their input into the creative pot.
posted on January 28th, 2007 in quotes