“Solving problems isn't so much about simplifying them as it is about properly and realistically reducing them to only what's relevant. And one of the best ways to reduce a problem to only what's relevant is to throw away most of your assumptions about it.”

“Sometimes, the only way to solve your problems in life, the only way to conquer your fears, is if you face them. If you face your problems, they just flee. But if you flee instead, run away from them, they only get bigger, and they can totally destroy you.”

“I just think that particular brand of sexy isn't a woman's best weapon, and it's definitely not her only one. If you reduce yourself to that, then that's what people will see. They won't notice anything else about you.”

“What's your problem?""I don't have problems. I solve them.”

“That's what this book is about: other worlds, what awaits us on them, what they tell us about ourselves, and - given the urgent problems our species now faces - whether it makes sense to go. Should we solve those problems first? Or are they a reason to go?”

“If people don't think they have the power to solve their problems, they won't even think about how to solve them.”