Author: David Brin

Cites

• John Keats (1)
  • IN: Kiln People (2002) Fiction, American
    EPIGRAPH: Adieu! for once again the fierce dispute how who why who Betwixt damnation and impassion’d clay Must I burn through … But when I am consumed in the Fire, Give me new Phoenix wings to fly at my desire.
    FROM: On Sitting Down to Read King Lear Once Again, (1608), Poem, UK
• NULL (3)
  • IN: Foundation’s Triumph (1999) Fiction, American
    EPIGRAPH: Little is known about the final days of Hari Seldon, though many romanticized accounts exist, some of them purportedly by his own hand. None has any proved validity. What appears evident, however, is that Seldon spent his last months uneventfully, no doubt enjoying satisfaction in his life’s work. For with his gift of mathematical insight, and the powers of psychohistory at his command, he must surely have seen the panorama of history stretching before him, confirming the great path of destiny that he had already mapped out. Although death would soon claim him, no other mortal ever knew with such confidence and certainty the bright promise that the future would hold in store.
    FROM: Encyclopedia Galactica, —117th Edition, 1054 F.E., (1999), Fictional, NULL
  • IN: Infinity's Shore (1996) Fiction, American
    EPIGRAPH: Those who hunger after wisdom often seek it in the highest heights, or profound depths. Yet, marvels are found in shallow sites where life starts, burgeons, and dies. What pinnacle, or lofty mount, offers lessons as poignant as the flowing river— a crashing reef— or the grave?
    FROM: from a Buyur wall inscription, found half-buried in a marsh near Far Wet Sanctuary, (1996), Inscription, NULL
  • IN: Existence (2012) Fiction, American
    EPIGRAPH: what matters? do i? or ai? + the question spins +/- as my body spins!/+ in time to a chirping window-bird “normal people” don’t think like this -/-/- nor aspies -/- nor even most autistics stop spinning! -/- there -/- now back to the holo-screen -› rain smatters the clatter window - bird is gone -/+ hiding from falling water + + like i hide from a falling civilization what matters then?/? progress? New minds?? after cortex, after libraries, the web, mesh, ai-grid – what’s next ?/! will it offer hope/doom for foolish humanity +/? for the glaring cobbly minds +/? or autistic-hybrids like me +/?
    FROM: NULL, (None), [NA], NULL
• A. S. Eddington (1)
  • IN: Sundiver (1980) Fiction, American
    EPIGRAPH: … it is reasonable to hope that in the not too distant future we shall be competent to understand so simple a thing as a star.
    FROM: NULL, (1926), NULL, UK
• Joseph Miller (1)
  • IN: Existence (2012) Fiction, American
    EPIGRAPH: Those who ignore the mistakes of the future are bound to make them.
    FROM: NULL, (None), NULL, NULL