“ I cannot imagine the future, but I care about it. I know I am a part of a story that starts long before I can remember and continues long beyond when anyone will remember me. I sense that I am alive at a time of important change, and I feel a responsibility to make sure that the change comes out well. I plant my acorns knowing that I will never live to harvest the oaks. ”
Danny Hillis, 1995. Some really good stuff in there. (via Slashdot’s mention of Neal Stephenson’s new book, Anathem, due in September)