To me it's very obvious there are huge cultural differences between Americans and Canadians. But a lot of what we are is American.

Everybody's a mad scientist, and life is their lab. We're all trying to experiment to find a way to live, to solve problems, to fend off madness and chaos.

As a filmmaker, I ask questions but don't have answers. Moviemaking is a philosophical exploration. I invite the audience to come on the journey and discover what they think and feel.

Everybody's a mad scientist, and life is their lab.

All stereotypes turn out to be true. This is a horrifying thing about life. All those things you fought against as a youth: you begin to realize they're stereotypes because they're true.

I can't imagine a life without humor. Especially if you have an existential understanding of life, you must acknowledge the absurdity of it all.

My understanding of life is very existential. I think that we are our bodies. There's nothing else, and when we die, that's it. No afterlife.

I like to laze around. I think that's a huge part of creativity. You have to let your mind relax and then another part of your brain suddenly connects with the solution you're trying to find.

Censors tend to do what only psychotics do: they confuse reality with illusion.

When I am creating art, I have absolutely no social responsibility. It's like dreaming.

Consciousness is the original sin: consciousness of the inevitability of our death.

...yelling doesn't make a thing any more possible.

Believe in yourself.Carve your own path.Build your own dreams.Be your own hero.

Do not allow your thoughts of what was to steal what can be.

Really you just gotta keep chugging along and keep a positive attitude and get through all the problems. You gotta face them, otherwise you don't get through.

In keeping people straight, principle is not as powerful as a policeman.

New York's a big playground. I have a bike, and I'm really into just being outside. Especially in the summertime.

People will steal it if you don't make it easy to buy it.

One of the greatest talents of all is the talent to recognize and to develop talent in others.

I like the distinction. It enables me to have more easygoing encounters in my private life.

It is not easy to measure the ocean, but we can be measured by it, confront it, and be in it.