Self-righteous people can talk themselves into forgetting they are part of a civilization. They can then feed on that culture, bringing it down. It's happened many times in the past. It could happen to us.

Quote by David Brin

Topics: David Brin Quotes

My education and background thoroughly inform my writing.

My education and background thoroughly inform my writing.

We already live a very long time for mammals, getting three times as many heartbeats...

We already live a very long time for mammals, getting three times as many heartbeats...

My first duty to write a gripping yarn. Second is to convey credible characters who...

My first duty to write a gripping yarn. Second is to convey credible characters who...

Above all, TRIBES is fun, and even kind of sexy... in that every round features...

Above all, TRIBES is fun, and even kind of sexy... in that every round features...

Predicting has a spotty record in science fiction. I've had some failures. On the other...

Predicting has a spotty record in science fiction. I've had some failures. On the other...

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the...

It is said that power corrupts, but actually it's more true that power attracts the...

Anyone who wants simple, pat stories should buy another author's product. The real universe ain't...

Anyone who wants simple, pat stories should buy another author's product. The real universe ain't...

Change is the principal feature of our age and literature should explore how people deal...

Change is the principal feature of our age and literature should explore how people deal...

Why must conversions always come so late? Why do people always apologize to corpses?

Why must conversions always come so late? Why do people always apologize to corpses?

Only a knowledgeable, empowered and vocal citizenry can perform well in democracy.

Only a knowledgeable, empowered and vocal citizenry can perform well in democracy.

Fortunately, human beings are remarkably diverse models to work from.

Fortunately, human beings are remarkably diverse models to work from.

But honestly, if you do a rigorous survey of my work, I'll bet you'll find...

But honestly, if you do a rigorous survey of my work, I'll bet you'll find...

I like to be surprised. Fresh implications and plot twists erupt as a story unfolds....

I like to be surprised. Fresh implications and plot twists erupt as a story unfolds....

One of the rules I try to follow is that normal people are going to...

One of the rules I try to follow is that normal people are going to...

There's no doubt that scientific training helps many authors to write better science fiction. And...

There's no doubt that scientific training helps many authors to write better science fiction. And...

When I begin a book, I inevitably discover many things along the way, about the...

When I begin a book, I inevitably discover many things along the way, about the...

The worst mistake of first contact, made throughout history by individuals on both sides of...

The worst mistake of first contact, made throughout history by individuals on both sides of...

In the book, America had already been weakened by bio terror plagues before waves of...

In the book, America had already been weakened by bio terror plagues before waves of...

She had called in the debt that parents owe a child for bringing her, unasked,...

She had called in the debt that parents owe a child for bringing her, unasked,...

When it comes to privacy and accountability, people always demand the former for themselves and...

When it comes to privacy and accountability, people always demand the former for themselves and...