people-from-liverpool

"In the 1960s, IBM's chairman, Thomas Watson Sr., began the Fellows Program, in which he appointed Fellows (he called them his "wild ducks") for five years to be "dreamers, heretics, mavericks, gadflies, and geniuses." Their remit was simply to "shake up the system." The Fellows Program has been supremely successful. Only some 165 scientists were appointed, but five of these won Nobel Prizes. General Electric and Bell Laboratories ran similar programs. In 1980, as I have mentioned, BP launched Venture Research, arguably one of the most ambitious and imaginative exploratory research initiatives in industrial history, and supported it for 10 years."

"If you were standing on the edge of a cliff, you might go over the edge and suffer consequences that would probably be nonlinear and unpleasant. But if linear processes ruled the world, there would be no cliffs."

"It's been forgotten that we did not need special arrangements for finding the Einsteins in the past. There was enough flexibility in the system to allow them to emerge, but that's been removed in the quest for efficiency."

"Today's world is truly bizarre. The emperor's new clothes are constantly admired although many can see that he is stark naked. But Smith's invisible hand and other philosophies advocating freedom seem to be denied because it is impossible to see them."

"On the atomic scale, we do not understand gravity and its relationship with Nature's other forces. At the other end of the scale, current dogma maintains that the universe was created at some specific moment some 13.6 billion years ago. It then requires an almost immediate but transient expansion at speeds vastly exceeding the velocity of light in order that predictions from current theories can be made compatible with what we actually observe."

"For creativity to flourish, it does not necessarily need encouragement. Indeed, since its origins are not understood it may be impossible to encourage. But intellectual pioneers need environments that accommodate dissent."

"Such abstract qualities as freedom are difficult or impossible to define. Freedom's loss may be easier to recognise, but it does not necessarily lead to chains. Increasingly nowadays, freedom is a managed commodity, but the consequences are subtle and varied."

"It was a marvellous morning, clear as a mirror, warm as the promise of love, bright as heaven."

"Just before Christmas, two Allied countries had sustained naval losses of shocking dimensions: Britain had lost two great ships—Prince of Wales and Repulse—in a single bombing attack, and America, at Pearl Harbor, had suffered a crippling blow that robbed her of half her effective fleet at one stroke. ("Proper uproar, it must have been," Lockhart overheard someone in the mess-decks say; and another anonymous voice answered: "Biggest surprise since Ma caught 'er tits in the mangle....") The attack brought America into the war, an ally coming to the rescue at a most crucial moment: but her principal war was never the Atlantic—that lifeline remained, from beginning to end, the ward of the British and the Canadian navies. America turned her eyes to the Pacific, where she had much to do to stem the furious tide of the Japanese advance: in the Atlantic, the battle of escort against U-boat still saw the same contestants in the ring, now coming up for the fourth round, the bloodiest so far."

"Ericson was a big man, broad and tough: a man to depend on, a man to remember: about forty-two or -three, fair hair going grey, blue eyes as level as a foot rule, with wrinkles at the corners — the product of humour and of twenty years' staring at a thousand horizons."

"Lockhart had already been in collision a number of times with the Russian interpreter, a small fiery individual who seemed to regard every request for stores or facilities as yet another example of the top-hatted capitalists milking the simple proletariat. On their last morning, an hour before sailing, there developed between them a row so furious and so all-embracing that it was difficult to remember that it had started with a complaint about the quality of the fresh meat supplied to Saltash for her return journey. When it had ranged widely, from a comparison of the Russian and the British standards of living, to an analysis of their respective war efforts, and fists had been shaken on both sides-for Lockhart found this habit of emphasis infectious—the interpreter took a stormy departure. At the head of the gang-way he turned, for a final blistering farewell."You English," he said, in thunderous accents and with extraordinary venom, "think we know damn nothing—but I tell you we know damn all.""

"His gentleness and tact disarmed all opponents."

"These birds and animals and fish cannot speak, but they can suffer, and our God who created them, knows their sufferings, and will hold him who causes them to suffer unnecessarily to answer for it. It is a sin against their Creator."

"Faith in God and the rootedness of our culture in its Christian and its Judeo-Christian heritage; faith in God is a huge asset, it's not a problem and what we must not do is begin to think that this extremism is the product of religious faith; it's a distortion, it's a corruption."

"It was here that [[Michael Fallon|[Michael] Fallon]] lunged at me. This was not a farewell peck on the cheek, but a direct lunge at my lips. When I have previously written about this incident (referring to an unnamed MP) I have described it as a "kiss" – but a kiss suggests something romantic, consensual. This was anything but. I shrank away in horror and ran off to my office in the press gallery. I felt humiliated, ashamed. Was I even guilty that maybe I had led him on in some way by drinking with him? After years of having a drink with so many other MPs who have not acted inappropriately towards me, I now know I was not."

"[I]n the ensuing coverage the impression was being left that this was a one-off incident that could now be laughed off. I knew that by failing to act I was letting down not only my 29-year-old self, but also any other women who may have been subjected to the same behaviour since. More importantly, I would be failing to protect other women in future."

"My experience is that there is very little hostility towards the Holy See as an entity, but rather they do see a value in it. We work to make a contribution that is obviously grounded in our faith but also in the experience and history of our Church."

"I went through this period where I was just obsessed with makeup and I wore a ton of it, and then I suddenly realized how much I was wearing, and the fact that I was spending all this money. I think now I'm just trying to be more comfortable with what I have rather than having to cover up. But I do love putting makeup on for a night out."

"For an era when women were expected to conform, these women are totally in charge of the show. To read a piece of material from a period drama told from the woman’s perspective is just so unique."

"It was really shocking; it was the first time I had ever been dragged into something like that. And it wasn't just me, it was my family. I had seen the absurdity of what I was being accused of, and what my partner was being accused of. I decided for my own health that I was not going to try and convince these people otherwise. I just wasn't going to do it."

"Does not the acceptance of a spurious perfection end the search for true perfection?"

"“I suspect that the benefits of travel are indeed overrated. It seems mostly hardship and needless frustration,” she said."

"“We all use the world, and are used by it,” he said, after a moment. “Some of us are more aware than others of using and being used. It is our fortune to have fewer illusions.”"

"Coming whence you do, you doubtless assume that the mores and customs of your own land arise from the workings of simple human nature. But human nature is far from simple, and what appears natural in your own milieu may seem chillingly alien when transported into some foreign sphere."

"“In any case”—he gestured at the car—“this vehicle has achieved a state of permanent inanimation.”"

"“Knowledge can be a hindrance to right action,” answered the little man. “There are those who hold that, if we but knew the full ramifications of even our least deeds, the ensuing concatenations of cause and effect would paralyze us with indecision.”"

"Into the Zeelotic ethos, we have injected the philosophical axiom—well known to the field of fashion—that the outmoded only remains so until it becomes unremembered, after which it may justly return as the avant-garde."

"“I am not one to deny the broadening effects of distant lands,” offered Nofreg, “yet I have often said that the chief benefit of travel is to allow the returned sojourner a renewed appreciation of his native milieu.”"

"“Your remarks demonstrate how proximity narrows perspective,” said Gaskarth. “Events in and of themselves are less pertinent than the effects and interpretations to which they give rise.”"

"“This conversation would be more easily conducted,” said Filidor, “if I had any notion of what you are talking about.”"

"But from its inception, the labor movement had attracted the same range of opportunists and self-servers as would any activity that offered the unscrupulous an avenue toward power and self-enrichment."

"The young man glanced at the document. His first thought was that its author must have learned penmanship from a seismograph."

"“Down among your... population, in addition to labor organizers, you’re bound to have a few public relations consultants.” “Quite a few,” said the Archfiend. “It’s a field that rewards amoral inventiveness.”"

"Gathering himself together, he asked the dwarf, “Was all this in some way planned and predetermined?” Gaskarth turned upon the young man a thoughtful gaze. “There are those who say that all is planned, to the placement of the last mote and mite. There are others who say that nothing is purposed, and that the galaxies themselves swing where they will. And then there are some, like me, who prefer to walk on, saying as little as possible.”"

"“I will inform the world of your preference,” said Gaskarth, “but I doubt it will lead to any significant improvements in your lot.”"

"To me, the human body was not a quasi-metaphysical mystery to be unraveled. It was a kind of soft machine whose parts could be repaired when they broke down, or—even better—replaced entirely with materials God would have used if He’d only had access to teflon and stainless steel."

"Life is a hopeless rear guard action against an overwhelming foe; still how can we not admire those who battle on regardless?"

"My alter ego was awake and listening. “Magic,” he said. “To one whose only instrument is a drum, all melodies are much the same,” I answered inwardly."

"Also, there was a remarkable display of objects that primitive humanity had allegedly thrust through various parts of their bodies—some of them extremely sensitive—for decorative effect. I shuddered slightly at the thought: self-mutilation, though everyone’s right, had always taken me aback."

"Insanity was not unknown among the wealthy. Indeed, some forms of madness had sometimes been cultivated as fashionable accessories."

"A lifelong habit of being right also had the effect of diminishing one’s social appeal, especially among those who prefer to keep the bubble of their various illusions a safe distance from a needle-sharp and probing intelligence."

"Talking was only one of the uses to which Chalivire liked to put her large and loose-lipped mouth; another was filling it with the products of The Braid’s renowned kitchens."

"They wake up the lead guitarist, although it takes him a while to get both his eyes pointed in the same direction. But the bass player is as laid-back as bassmen usually are, and the drummer’s not as insane as most of his peers."

"Bunker Hill Sansom—though he told everyone to call him Bunky, and God help any who didn’t—had made his billions by finding new ways to do old things. Inarguably, his ways were better ways, provided your definition of “better” was “more fashionable.”"

"“That does not sound like I’m getting an answer soon.” “We’re glad you understand.” “No,” says Jason, “I don’t understand!” “Then we’re sorry you don’t understand.”"

"A research scientist is someone who cannot rest content within the confines of existing knowledge, but always itches to know what is over the horizon. Or it’s somebody who doesn’t know to leave well enough alone."

"“I will give you,” said Grolion, “a promissory note for a handsome sum, redeemable the moment I am restored to my birthright.” “The restoration of your fortunes, though no doubt inevitable, is not guaranteed to arrive before the sun goes out.”"

"In adolescence, Chesney had drifted away from old-time religion. He found too many contradictions and absurdities in scripture. Besides, he had found a more reliable truth in the elegant architectures of mathematics."

"Hell, like Heaven, was an autocracy."

"The resident said, “I have heard it argued that the world as it is now arranged must be the right order of things, for a competent Creator would not allow disequilibrium.” Grolion found the concept jejeune. “My view is that the world is an arena in which men of deeds and courage drive the flow of events.”"