“A good deal of hip hop speaks and has always spoken openly and in depth about aspects of black urban poverty, particularly the grip that street culture has on many young people.”
— Tricia Rose
Hip-hop scholar and cultural critic; author of "Black Noise

The quote archive

Philosophy

A growing archive of 3,000+ moments, drawn from every interview.

There is a phrase, tell me what you pay attention to, and I will tell you who you are. That is how I would see the quest for authenticity.

— Alice Sherwood

We live in a society where our pursuit of authenticity is more important to us than ever, but we've created a society which is also extraordinarily fake. I want to understand this and understand how we can fight back.

— Alice Sherwood

Serendipity is about active luck, it's about the luck we create for ourselves and how we imbue meaning into the unexpected. Our reaction to unexpected moments can determine what happens in the future; that's a big component of what we perceive as 'luck.'

— Christian Busch

My mother Bess taught me very early on to take risks and just go for it. I don't like to waste people's time, and I don't like my time wasted because time is the only thing you can't get back.

— Gary Rosen

We often have this flawed, broken principle of perfection put on us from a very young age that we must be perfect as people. No-one is perfect. In fact, we are perfectly imperfect.

— Ritu Bhasin

Canadian actress known for role in "Quantico" TV series

I define authenticity as the consistent practice of choosing to know who we are and embracing who we are. For a lot of us, we come to know who we are, but then we rail against our identities.

— Ritu Bhasin

Canadian actress known for role in "Quantico" TV series

The definition of 'purpose' can be questioning, 'What am I doing that's greater than myself? What am I a part of that's bigger than just me?' We now know the most sustainable form of meaningful happiness comes to purpose.

— Jenn Lim

Chief Happiness Officer & Author of "Delivering Happiness

I think in the past, it was more of a zero sum game, and now I think we can play in a positive sum game, which really plays into the whole greenhouse concept, because we can all actually grow together and not feel like we are needing to take in order to achieve.

— Jenn Lim

Chief Happiness Officer & Author of "Delivering Happiness

The rate of change has become exponential and us as human beings physiologically have not been able to adapt. We just cannot physiologically adapt that quickly – what does it mean for us? This is in some ways Darwinian because he said it wasn't about the strongest that survives, it's those that are most able to adapt.

— Jenn Lim

Chief Happiness Officer & Author of "Delivering Happiness

When you observe chimpanzees and other apes, you see how extremely humanlike they are in almost everything they do. We have been so indoctrinated to think we are special (as a species) that when you see an ape up close and see they are- in essence- us, you don't know what to do with those feelings.

— Frans de Waal

Primatologist & behavioral psychologist who studies animal cognition and emotions

You have to make decisions throughout your life and be prepared to accept responsibility for those decisions. There is also confidence that comes from learning a set of skills – and that confidence allows you to challenge the status quo.

— Reggie Fils-Aimé

Former President of Nintendo of America, led iconic console era

I'm also very conscious that my life was saved, and I decided, very early on, to make mine a life worth saving. I don't fritter my days away. I try to do something worthwhile each day, and with that I've become a very happy person.

— Dame Stephanie Shirley

Pioneering Software Engineer & Founder of Freelance Programmers Ltd

For me, success is about harmony, and it has several dimensions. The classic three; intellectual, physical, and spiritual – when those three are in harmony, I feel my life is a success. Money isn't really a part of that.

— Dame Stephanie Shirley

Pioneering Software Engineer & Founder of Freelance Programmers Ltd

There's a concept in psychology called naïve realism. We think we see the world perfectly and assume that everyone sees it the way we do. If they don't? if they disagree? Our assumption is that they are wrong, and that they are misinformed.

— Amy Gallo

Harvard Business Review contributor & workplace dynamics expert

I guess the only thing I would say is if you get to the point to where you could comfortably believe that I could die tomorrow and I wouldn't regret my life, I think at least for me, I think that's where success would be.

— Mitch Lowe

Co-Founder of Netflix & Former Redbox CEO

If you're doing anything for legacy, you might as well forget about it – even your great grandchildren will have no idea who you were or what you did. Legacy lasts 50 years maximum.

— Mitch Lowe

Co-Founder of Netflix & Former Redbox CEO