The answers come pat and fast. You see, what the downsiders want isn’t an explanation; it’s a catchphrase… — Charles Sheffield

What I found was worse than diversity—it was insanity.

If you win too easy, better ask what’s going on that you don’t know about.

“To a logical entity, such as myself, the behavior of organic intelligences such as yourself, provides many anomalies. For example, the history of humanity, the species concerning which my data banks have most information, is replete with cases where humans, on little or no evidence, have believed in impossibilities. They have accepted the existence of a variety of improbable entities: of gods and demons, of fairies and elves, of ‘good luck’ charms, of magic potions, of curses and hexes and evil eyes.”

“Tally, if you’re going to blather about—”

“But at the same time, humans and other organic intelligences often seem unwilling to accept the implications and consequences of their own legitimate scientific theories.”