“What is the most important thing you could be working on in the world right now? … And if you’re not working on that, why aren’t you?”

Life is short … so why waste it doing something dumb?

Most people’s major life changes don’t come from reading an article in the newspaper; they come from reading longer-form essays or thoughtful books, which are much more convincing and detailed.

Think deeply about things. Don’t just go along because that’s the way things are or that’s what your friends say. Consider the effects, consider the alternatives, but most importantly, just think.

Only those blinded by greed would refuse to let a friend make a copy.

Creativity comes from applying things you learn in other fields to the field you work in.

Real education is about genuine understanding and the ability to figure things out on your own; not about making sure every 7th grader has memorized all the facts some bureaucrats have put in the 7th grade curriculum.

I don’t want to be happy. I just want to change the world.

There is no justice in following unjust laws. It’s time to come into the light and, in the grand tradition of civil disobedience, declare our opposition to this private theft of public culture.

Information is power. But like all power, there are those who want to keep it for themselves.

The adults were completely wrong.

Steadfastness is a noble quality, but unguided by knowledge or humility, it becomes rashness, or obstinacy.

There is no justice in following unjust laws.

Being around some of the bright lights of the technology world and having them expect great things helps you sit down and do it seriously.

Reality is painful — it’s so much easier to keep doing stuff you know you’re good at or else to pick something so hard there’s no point at which it’s obvious you’re failing — but it’s impossible to get better without confronting it.

With enough of us, around the world, we’ll not just send a strong message opposing the privatization of knowledge – we’ll make it a thing of the past.

No, you can’t force other people to change. You can, however, change just about everything else. And usually, that’s enough.