It's not possible to get any distance from my project: being alive. Objectively, from the outside you might say, my life is terrible, unbelievable. And it's true, I hate this. I hate the way I am at the moment. But there is no objective view, I am here, in it, and there is nothing else, and this fact brings with it many things that make it of course easier. And beyond that there are many other things to think about.

A new generation that is determined to use the tools of capitalism without being controlled by it. To solve big problems of poverty and of the environment. We now have more tools, skills, understanding, and awareness than ever in history—so solving those problems is within our reach.

No. I think all of us had such confidence in the technology that it was not a question. It was just a question of scheduling and a question of the funds to do it. I think one has to have that kind of an attitude, particularly when you are involved in research and development. You’ve got to believe it’s going to be done eventually.

I’ve always found Hail Marys to be a great refuge when you’re facing tough decisions and crises of one kind or another.

I had help in the form of my friend and former editor Carrie Frye

It used to be dosing people out of my purse at parties. Now it’s leaving the hang at 11 p.m. to get in bed.

I worked as an editor until I joined the New Yorker , and so I’m an extremely tough self-editor. I also love being edited. I love a hard edit. It’s a privilege to be edited hard.

I needed to physically be totally alone and be in a different place to get going.

You have kids and you’re forced to remember that time actually extends. The world extends, policy extends, stakes extend past your own life.

As a writer, the only thing that you can guarantee yourself pleasure and challenge from is inside your own writing process.