Thomas Fackler

“...imitation supplements inadequate congenital variations in the direction of an instinct, and so, by keeping the creature alive, sets the trend of further variations in the same direction until the instinct is fully organized and congenital. If both of these views be true, as there seems reason to believe, then imitation holds a remarkable position in relation to intelligence and instinct. It stands midway between them and aids them both. In some functions it keeps the performance going, and so allows of its perfection as an instinct; in others it puts a stress on intelligence, and so allows the instinct to fall away, if it have no independent utility in addition to that served by the intelligence. In other words, it is through imitation that instincts both arise and decay; that is, some instincts are furthered, and some suppressed, by imitation.”
― Karl Groos, The Play of Animals

“But as we ascend to animals of high types, having faculties more efficient and more numerous, we begin to find that time and strength are not wholly absorbed in providing for immediate needs.”
― Karl Groos, The Play of Animals

“... pain … the chain forged to bind us to the eternal present, …”
― Gene Wolfe, The Urth of the New Sun

“..., the kind of place where one finds objects that appear to have come from nowhere …”
― Gene Wolfe, The Urth of the New Sun