So we have progressed to the point where we can move politicians aroun — Jack McDevitt

"At night the sea is very loud, And voices ride the tide. At another time, in another place, Beneath the silent moon, We laughed together."

"Technological civilizations don’t last long. Youre all right until you get a printing press. Then a race starts between technology and common sense. And maybe technology always wins."

"One could not always put safety up front as the prime goal. Do that, and who would ever achieve anything of note?"

"Charlie was not a believer. He did not expect to be called to account and assigned a score for what he had done or left undone. His parents had believed in a mechanical world, a place of evolving hardware and software, no deities need apply. We just haven’t figured it all out yet, his father was fond of saying. Things get more complex and we don’t know why. But that doesn’t mean we have to ascribe it to divine providence."

"“Most of my business comes from picking up the pieces when people get things wrong.” She grinned. “I’ll never lack for work.”"

"He was usually easygoing, one of those guys with little respect for authority because of a conviction that people in charge tend to do stupid things."