“A lot of people in society understandably want to feel important, and one of the ways you do this is to show people how busy you are… and one of the ways you show people how busy you are is to describe how little time you have for sleep.”
— Matthew Walker
Sleep scientist and author of "Why We Sleep

The quote archive

Philosophy

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

Consider a car with malfunctioning brakes; it's unsafe to let it on the street, as it could cause harm. You'd need to confine it, but you wouldn't punish it or moralize its malfunction. Instead, you'd seek to understand why its brakes failed.

— Robert Sapolsky

Neuroscientist & primatologist known for stress research and public engagement

When you examine how these myriad factors intertwine, from genetics and evolution to the proteins synthesized mere minutes ago, you see a continuous arc. In my view, there's no room in this intricate web for free will.

— Robert Sapolsky

Neuroscientist & primatologist known for stress research and public engagement

Intelligence and self-deception appear to have co-evolved, with the belief that we are fully in control of our destinies serving as a mental safeguard, despite its inaccuracy.

— Robert Sapolsky

Neuroscientist & primatologist known for stress research and public engagement

This principle demands careful consideration of protection that must be given to civilians and civilian property, balancing military objectives against foreseeable collateral damage. This balance cannot be made by a formulaic algorithm – there isn't one – but by human judgment.

— Sir Geoffrey Nice KC

Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević at the International Criminal Tribunal

A concept that has become prominent in recent discussions addressed to newspaper readers, media viewers, and radio listeners in the past seven weeks is 'proportionality'. This concept, while vital to have in mind in considering the lawfulness or otherwise of use of force in almost all armed conflicts, lacks a precise definition.

— Sir Geoffrey Nice KC

Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević at the International Criminal Tribunal

They don't just dive into a project; they begin by exploring its purpose. This 'why' acts as a North Star, guiding every phase of the project. Having this North Star makes the process more efficient and significantly increases the likelihood of delivering the project effectively.

— Bent Flyvbjerg

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

As a prosecutor, I recognize that our involvement typically begins when it's already too late: when prevention, humanity, and common sense have failed. Violence, whether in families, communities, or at an international level, signifies a failure of humanity.

— Dr. Serge Brammertz

Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda

Play is a mock version of these activities, allowing us to experiment and understand how they work and interconnect. Questions like 'What if I did it this way?' arise in play, exploring different possibilities.

— Frank Lantz

Game designer and NYU professor known for game theory and interactive entertainment

I do believe there's something fundamentally essential about free play—the open-ended combination of elements not confined by a narrow context. This concept is vital not only to humanity but to life itself.

— Frank Lantz

Game designer and NYU professor known for game theory and interactive entertainment

I would describe games as an art form centred around systems. Viewing the world as a system means perceiving it as a collection of interconnected elements. These elements interact in a way that both enables and restricts themselves and each other.

— Frank Lantz

Game designer and NYU professor known for game theory and interactive entertainment

Each person, regardless of their family, community, or public profile, has the capability to influence positively. It's not about consciously assuming a role but about living authentically and striving for personal best.

— Stef Reid

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

My aspiration has always been to fully embrace life's offerings. Success isn't about the endpoint; it's about the journey – the growth from where I began and the rich stories gathered along the way.

— Stef Reid

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

Mental wellness is an unwavering commitment to reality, regardless of the cost. Trauma, in this light, can be a powerful teacher, offering a stark glimpse of reality, a contrast to the daily bombardment of trivial concerns.

— Stef Reid

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

I learned that even if I lost every limb, my core identity – a hardworking, competitive, fun-loving person – would remain intact. My physical abilities as an amputee changed, but not my fundamental self. It was a powerful realization: my true essence is untouchable.

— Stef Reid

British Paralympic sprinter and long jumper; multiple Paralympic medals

We advocate for a 'feminist moonshot' approach, symbolized by the dandelion. Its seeds, spread by children, represent the spreading of our positive narrative towards a cleaner, healthier, more equitable world on the brink of a clean energy revolution.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

MMA serves as my ministry. As a Christian, I want to convey unconditional love to everyone. The real value lies not in winning titles but in the ability to positively impact the lives of my teammates, trainers, friends, family, and future generations.

— Impa Kasanganay