“Scientists often invent words to fill the holes in their understanding. These words are meant as conveniences untilreal understanding can be found. Sometimes understanding comes and the temporary words can be replaced with wordsthat have more meaning. More often, however, the patch words will take on a life of their own and no one will remember that they were only intended to be placeholders.”

“There is more information in one thimble of realitythan can be understood by a galaxy of human brains. It isbeyond the human brain to understand the world and itsenvironment, so the brain compensates by creating simplifiedillusions that act as a replacement for understanding.”

“simplicity is not proof of truth. But since we cannever understand true reality, if two models both explain thesame facts, it is more rational to use the simpler one. It is amatter of convenience.”

“Conversation is more than the sum of the words. It isalso a way of signaling the importance of another person byshowing your willingness to give that person your rarestresource: time. It is a way of conveying respect. Conversationreminds us that we are part of a greater whole, connected insome way that transcends duty or bloodline or commerce.Conversation can be many things, but it can never be useless.”

“Happiness! There is no word with more meanings, each person understands it in his own way.”

“How can one part be more important if each part is completely necessary?”

“Music is undescribable, and no words can be said to understand it. The only way to understand it is to hear it.”