Vernor Vinge quotes

Even the largest avalanche is triggered by small things. (Vernor Vinge)
The work that is truly productive is the domain of a steadily smaller and more elite fraction of humanity. View quote
Vernor Vinge
I say, let's learn more and then speculate. View quote
Vernor Vinge
Poor humans; they will all die." "Poor us; we will not. View quote
Vernor Vinge
In fact, there was general agreement that minds can exist on nonbiological substrates and that algorithms are of central importance to the existence of minds. View quote
Vernor Vinge
I argue in this paper that we are on the edge of change comparable to the rise of human life on Earth. View quote
Vernor Vinge
The problem is not simply that the Singularity represents the passing of humankind from center stage, but that it contradicts our most deeply held notions of being. View quote
Vernor Vinge
Effective translation of natural languages comes awfully close to requiring a sentient translator program. View quote
Vernor Vinge
Life is a green madness just now, trying to squeeze the last bit of warmth from the season. View quote
Vernor Vinge
The heart of manipulation is to empathize without being touched. View quote
Vernor Vinge
Sometimes terror and pain are not the best levers; deception, when it works, is the most elegant and least expensive manipulation of all. (Vernor Vinge)
It was not called the Net of a Million Lies for nothing. View quote
Vernor Vinge
The voice was gentle, like a scalpel petting the short hairs of your throat. View quote
Vernor Vinge
Peregrine Wickwrackrum was of two minds about evil: when enough rules get broken, sometimes there is good amid the carnage. View quote
Vernor Vinge
Politics may come and go, but Greed goes on forever. View quote
Vernor Vinge
So much technology, so little talent. View quote
Vernor Vinge
How to explain? How to describe? Even the omniscient viewpoint quails. View quote
Vernor Vinge
Hexapodia as the key insight... I haven't had a chance to see the famous video from Straumli Realm, except as an evocation. (My only gateway onto the Net is very expensive.) Is it true that humans have six legs? View quote
Vernor Vinge
Sometimes the biggest disasters aren't noticed at all-no one's around to write horror stories. View quote
Vernor Vinge
If there be only hours, at least learn what there is time to learn. View quote
Vernor Vinge
All his life he had lived by the law. Often his job had been to stop acts of revenge.... And now revenge was all that life had left for him. (Vernor Vinge)
Well, what do you know," Pham said. "Butterflies in jackboots. View quote
Vernor Vinge
He was guided by what he saw rather than by what he wanted to believe. View quote
Vernor Vinge
Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended. View quote
Vernor Vinge
He claimed that nearby gun thunder cleared the mind-but most everybody else agreed it made you daft. View quote
Vernor Vinge