If we are not using our brains' capacity for challenge it feels to me as though it atrophies like an unused muscle.

A relapse doesn't mean you'll never walk down the path you prefer. But I think relapses are almost an inevitable part of any course of self-development.

If we think of our brains as a map, those early roads are like grooves, tram tracks, easy to fall into.

In order to stretch ourselves we do need to experience the vulnerability of not knowing the outcome.

Our emotional map is laid down mainly in relationship with our earliest caregiver in the first couple of years of life.

A sense of achievement improves general confidence and self-esteem.

I am talking about being optimistic enough to sow some seeds in the hope that some of them will germinate and grow into flowers.

There are probably times where the creative process is not helped by collaboration.

Two brains are better than one. You've twice the brain capacity and you have two sets of experiences and genes to bring to any challenge.

The trouble is if we take no new steps to try a new challenge, our comfort zone doesn't seem just to stay still, but retract.

People tend to slip up and go along the old road before they realise what they've done and climb out of it again.

My God, Bobby Fischer plays so simply

Everyone asks how I felt before the perfect game. You never feel bad when you're in the World Series. You've got all winter to rest.

The database hugging in public institutions is hampering innovation.

Citizens United didn't work. Hey, Koch brothers, Karl Rove, Shellgame Adelson: Democracy trumps money sometimes.

TV is a responsibility, not only in entertaining people, but using this medium of television in positive ways to teach people and enlighten people.

The Jungle Bush Beaters didn't last too long as a group, but we had a pretty good time while we did.

The sight of the bare katana inspires everyone to a practically Nipponese level of politeness

For me, acting was a way of taking destructive energy and doing something productive with it, and in that way it was quite a life saver.

Envy is everywhere. Who is without envy? And most people Are unaware or unashamed of being envious.

If you don't vote, you don't count.