Optimism is a political act. Those who benefit from the status quo are perfectly happy for us to think nothing is going to get any better. In fact, these days, cynicism is obedience.

Copenhagen has done a remarkable job creating streets that are focused on bicycles and pedestrians.

I think there's a gigantic generation gap in terms of how people understand the Internet and how much they think technology is an important factor in social change.

Urban retrofitting: creating different sorts of spaces and uses out of places that are already there.

If mass media, social isolation in the suburbs, alienating workplaces and long car commutes create a bunker mentality, the Internet does the opposite.

By looking at climate change as a clean energy generation problem, we're setting ourselves up not to solve it.

It's not just enough to survive. We've got to make something better than what we've got.

The denser places get, the lower the amount of energy people use to get around it.

We have to craft new political realities, not only in places like India, Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, but here at home as well. Another world is possible.

Cabbies in particular seem to like discussing the fate the Earth.

Saying the Tech Bloom is not commercially driven is like saying Mother Teresa had an interest in the poor.

We're all born, and if you're going to live to be elderly, you'll have gone through a life journey different than anyone else's. It's unique to you, but you'll have some common themes.

Is it more childish and foolish to insist that there is a conspiracy or that there is not?

If you wait for inspiration to write you're not a writer, you're a waiter.

We must realize that nature is absolutely essential for our survival, and we must act on that premise now.

When there is fear of failure, there will be failure.

Like a stone thrown into a pond, a good deed can create ripples that extend far beyond the initial splash.

Ideas are easy. Execution is everything. It takes a team to win.

The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to dedicate body, mind and soul to pure duty and not to become mental voluptuaries at the mercy of random desires and undisciplined impulses.

Any habit may be discontinued by building in its place some other and more desirable habit.

One does not simply walk into Mordor.