Ira Eberley

“But when we are searching for an example of what we no longer have, we see it everywhere.”
― Michael Ondaatje, The Cat's Table

“Jesus, I wonder if that sound was our listening receiver falling to the floor.”
― Karl Braungart, Fatal Identity

“Remember, Thursday, that scientific thought -- indeed, any mode of thought, whether it be religious or philosophical or anything else -- is just like the fashions that we wear -- only much longer lived. It's a little like a boy band."

"Scientific thought a boy band? How do you figure that?"

"Well, every now and then a boy band comes along. We like it, buy the records, posters, parade them on TV, idolise them right up until --"
...
"-- the next boy band?" I suggested.

"Precisely. Aristotle was a boy band. A very good one but only number six or seven. He was the best boy band until Isaac Newton, but even Newton was transplanted by an even newer boy band. Same haircuts -- but different moves."

"Einstein, right?"

"Right. Do you see what I'm saying?"

"I think so."

"Good. So try and think of maybe thirty or forty boy bands past Einstein. To where we would regard Einstein as someone who glimpsed a truth, played one good chord on seven forgettable albums."

"Where is this going, Dad?"

"I'm nearly there. Imagine a boy band so good that you never needed another boy band ever again. Can you imagine that?”
― Jasper Fforde

“But sir…’
     ‘Don’t worry I said I’ll do it,’ snapped the President.
     ‘But sir there’s just one other thing.’
     The President held the club in his hands like a seasoned baseball star. He glanced over at the Phlegm-O-Matic resting in the legionnaire’s rusted hand. ‘What?’
     ‘That protocol doesn’t include you.’
     The President’s shoulders sank and the air left his lungs in a rush. The legionnaire turned and aimed the gun at him.”
― A.R. Merrydew, Our Blue Orange