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

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

Who was it who said that a wise man speaks when he has something to say, but a fool speaks because he must?

“But you can be sure there are pockets of wealth and influence, and I’m willing to wager that a few people are wealthier and more influential than they were before.”

“That’s always the way with disasters,” I said.

“What?”

“They’re never bad news for everyone. Something nasty always rises to the top.”