“Is there anyone in Chasm City she hasn’t deceived?” “Possibly, somewhere, but only as an extreme theoretical… — Alastair Reynolds

Evolution doesn’t greatly care about what happens to creatures once they’ve passed on their genetic heritage.

“Don’t tell me you aren’t the slightest bit curious, Norquinco.”

“I hope you burn in hell, Sky Haussmann.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

The poor didn’t have them and so the rich flaunted them, the larger and more conspicuous the better.