Lonely Planets Quotes

“We are blatantly biased by an overwhelming desire to find certain answers. Life good. Dead universe bad. Science, we have been taught, is supposed to be neutral, like Switzerland. We’re not supposed to take sides or rig the game. Yet, when it comes to life in the universe, we’ve unabashedly forsaken our neutrality. We can’t hide our love away. We want life.”
― David Grinspoon, Lonely Planets: The Natural Philosophy of Alien Life

“When a reporter asked Gandhi what he thought of Western civilization, he replied, “I think it would be a wonderful idea.” I would say the same about human intelligence. If we are not intelligent, then what is? Here’s my crack at a definition: A truly intelligent species must have the ability to behave, collectively, in ways that ensure long-term survival. It must have learned to avoid self-destruction, anticipate and avoid natural disasters, intentionally and thoughtfully alter its environment and live sustainably within it.”
― David Grinspoon, Lonely Planets: The Natural Philosophy of Alien Life