I'm a white guy listening to the Cure and thinking about Pynchon influences.

A book is basically just symbols arranged to form this story, this world. But on the other hand, books, novels, literature in general, is what shows us at our most human.

The more we get away from believing and studying literature, the worst we become, the more we lose our soul.

Death is terrifying and beautiful, a final thing we can all do together.

I think literature is somehow both a fantasy and a reality we should all get back to.

I wanted to write stories for myself. At first it was purely an aesthetic thing about craft. I just wanted to become good at the art of something. And writing was very private.

The fact that Abraham Lincoln ever, ever became President is either a freak accident of history... or destiny; God's providence to America.

endless hope, endless disappointment.

I cannot sing, dance or act; what else would I be but a talk show host.

To love is a brave thing. To be loved, braver still. But allowing yourself to love yourself? That takes the most courage of all.

City is a madhouse! Don't stay there too much or you get mad! Go to the nature, to the Temple of the Clever!

There's a throne in each life big enough for only one. Christ may be on that throne, or money may be. But both cannot occupy it.

I'm pretty proud of my film music in general.

Misery and shame are nearly allied.

There's a very comfortable techno-libertarian culture where you think you're doing the right thing.