Matthew Schenk

“Prominent examples of the “Frankenstein effect” cited by after-the-fact civilian, governmental, military, and even IC assessments have included America’s funding and training of the mujahideen to fight the Soviets, which resulted in the radicalization of Osama bin Laden and the founding of al-Qaeda, as well as the de-Baathification of the Saddam Hussein–era Iraqi military, which resulted in the rise of the Islamic state.”
― Edward Snowden, Permanent Record

“You should always let people underestimate you. Because when people misappraise your intelligence and abilities, they’re merely pointing out their own vulnerabilities—the gaping holes in their judgment that need to stay open if you want to cartwheel through later on a flaming horse, correcting the record with your sword of justice.”
― Edward Snowden, Permanent Record

“In 1870, one out of every sixty men between eighteen and twenty-one years old was a college student; by 1900, one out of every twenty-five was in college.… In 1940, it was one out of every 6.5.… Today, half of all Americans have some experience of college; 25 percent earn college degrees (associate’s or bachelor’s).”
― Michael M. Crow, Designing the New American University

“No one heals in a straight line.”
― Edith Eger, The Choice: Embrace the Possible