"It appears that the tendency of mind to infiltrate and control matter is a law of the universe. Individual minds die and individual planets may be destroyed. But... The infiltration of mind into the universe will not be permanently halted by any catastrophe or by any barrier that I can imagine. If our species does not choose to lead the way, others will do so, or may have already done so. If our species is extinguished, others will be wiser or luckier. Mind is patient. Mind has waited for 3 billion years before composing its first string quartet."