“As a general rule, whatever Europe is now doing, we should do the opposite — for our very survival in an increasingly scary world.”

Bjorn to Captain Roadstrum, Ch. 2
Space Chantey (1968)

No. 87
Characteristics, in the manner of Rochefoucauld's Maxims (1823)

2000s, 2005, Second Inaugural Address (January 2005)

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Speech in Warren, Michigan (August 11, 2016)

1950's, On Being a Graphic Artist', 1953
Context: As far as I know, there is no proof whatever of the existence of an objective reality apart from our senses, and I do not see why we should accept the outside world as such solely by virtue of our senses. These reality enthusiasts are possibly playing at hide-and-seek; at any rate they like to hide themselves, though they are not usually aware of it. They simply do it because they happen to have been born with a sense of reality, that is, with a great interest in so-called reality, and because man likes to forget himself.

Source: Connections (1979), 1 - The Trigger Effect
Context: You see how increasingly the only way we in the advanced industrial nations, with our bewildering technology network, can survive, is by selling bewilderment and dependence on technology to the rest of the world. Or is it not bewilderment and dependence, but a healthier wealthier better way of living than the old way? And, yet, whether or not you dress up technology to look local, the technology network is the same. And as it spreads, will it spread the ability to use machines, as we do, without understanding them?

Remarks http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/alex-salmond-insists-wrath-khan-4301649 during a television interview (21 September 2014). <br class="br">Context: When you have the majority of a country up to the age of 55 already voting for independence, then I think the writing&#x27;s on the wall for Westminster. I think Scots of my generation and above should be looking at themselves in the mirror and wonder if we by majority, as a result of our decision, have actually impeded progress for the next generation, something no generation should do. The destination is pretty certain – we&#x27;re only now debating the timescale and the method. I&#x27;ll contribute to that debate, but I think it&#x27;s time for new leadership. There are a number of political opportunities coming up. For many, many years, a referendum route wasn&#x27;t the chosen route of the SNP or Scotland. For many years, there was a gradual attitude to independence. You establish a parliament and establish successively more powers until you have a situation where you&#x27;re independent in all but name, and then presumably declare yourself to be independent. Many countries have proceeded through that route – there is a parliamentary route where people can make their voice heard as well – so a referendum is only one of a number of routes. I think that’s the best route. That’s always been my opinion but my opinion is only one of many.

Discussing Iran's strategy for advancing its nuclear program against the opposition of the international community
2004 speech to the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council