The computer is a mind machine. It doesn't have its own psychology, but in a way it presents itself as though it does.

Technology doesn't just do things for us. It does things to us, changing not just what we do but who we are.

We expect more from technology and less from each other. We create technology to provide the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.

What is so seductive about texting, about keeping that phone on, about that little red light on the BlackBerry, is you want to know who wants you.

The feeling that 'no one is listening to me' make us want to spend time with machines that seem to care about us.

People are lonely. The network is seductive. But if we are always on, we may deny ourselves the rewards of solitude.

What technology makes easy is not always what nurtures the human spirit.

Human relationships are rich and they're messy and they're demanding. And we clean them up with technology. We sacrifice conversation for mere connection.

Everyone is always having their attention divided between the world of the people [they're] with and this other reality.

Computers are not good or bad; they are powerful.

Not every advance is progress. Not every new thing is better for us humanly.

Writing a novel is actually searching for victims. As I write I keep looking for casualties. The stories uncover the casualties.", Eighth Series, ed. George Plimpton, 1988)

I wish Monkeys could Skype. Maybe one day.

You will never know the exquisite pain of the guy who goes home alone. Cause without the bitter, baby, the sweet ain't as sweet.

I only take on roles that I'm passionate about. Life is too short to do things that you're not happy with.

The safe haven that al-Qaida has found in Pakistan is very troubling.

There is no doubt that, as a society, we have become blase about the importance of marriage as a stabilising influence and less inclined to prize it as a worthwhile institution.

The end of nonviolent 'war' is always an agreement, never dictation, much less humiliation of the opponent.

The Thieves of Eddis don't have breaking points. We have flash points instead, like gunpowder.

I've been at some pains to say that I fear for the country if Mr.[DonALD] Trump should be elected. I think it's a candidacy without any parallel that I can recall.

In the nineteenth century, slavery was the greatest wrong, and government never stood so tall as when it was redressing that wrong.