For a long time there was a kind of cultural chauvinism: the idea that if you just played Mozart to people in the Amazon or to hunter-gatherer groups in the South Pacific, they'd instantly recognize its greatness, maybe even see God. But of course, they don't experience it that way at all.

The will to live together is the fundamental pillar that keeps society going- and that pillar is now under threat. This new messy form of fascism that we have been subjected to in several countries is damaging these fundaments. We are losing the will to live together… What will we do when we lose the will to live together? That's one of the fundamental questions of our time.

The countries where people are happiest are ones which are much more domestically oriented and not seeking world-power.

I don't believe that social media is directly responsible for mental health issues. I see social media more as an accelerant than a cause. It tends to amplify pre-existing conditions, speeding up and enlarging problems rather than creating them.

The world is lying to you. It tells you that in 10,000 hours you can become excellent at what you do and that your strength will never wane. That is a complete, utter, falsehood. At some point, the party must end. At some point, the greatness that came to define who 'you' are will wane.