Philosophy

On Death

Remember the flight, the bird is mortal.
—Foroogh Farokhzad

When we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth, but find it in the hearts of men.
—epitaph of Rumi

On Economics

Economics is the study of what people do when nothing more important than money is at stake.
—Richard Stallman

21st Century planet Earth is too primitive to be governed by anything but economics.
—Mohsen Banan

On Security

The ultimate security is total vulnerability, where the only thing between you and the next guy is his conscience.
—Some ACLU guy I heard on the radio

On Imperialism

It is an inherent characteristic of superpowers to confuse morality with self-interest.
—Some guy I heard on NPR

On Travel

A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.
—Lao Tzu (570-490 BC)

On Intellectual Property

Poly-Existentials are not ownable and should not be considered personal property. Avoid use of the phrase Intellectual Property. Instead talk about one of the four branches of law that apply: Copyright, Patent, Trademark and Confidentiality.

On Copyright

Poetry does not belong to the one who writes it, it belongs to the one who needs it.
—El Postino

It is in the nature of Poly-Existentials to flourish when shared.

On Patents

Pursuit of knowledge is in conflict with ownership of knowledge.

Knowledge is society's asset. Take from it. Build on it. Give back.

On Secrets

Secrecy is the freedom tyrants dream of.
—Bill Moyers

On Trademark

Misattribution is bad form.