The problem is not scientifically illiterate kids; it is scientifically illiterate adults. Kids are born curious about the natural world. They are always turning over rocks, jumping with two feet into mud puddles and playing with the tablecloth and fine china.
One way we can enliven the imagination is to push it toward the illogical. We're not scientists. We don't always have to make the logical, reasonable leap.
I've always been interested in the politics of war. War is one of those things that, the longer I studied it, the more illogical it seemed.
The most enduring battle is between head and heart; what would be efficient and logical is nearly always trumped by what is messy and illogical.
To tell a good story and to illuminate the world: the two things are completely linked. That is the point. That is what I've always wanted to do.
But I've always felt a need to have a life which is completely separate - at least as far as possible - from the kind of illusory lifestyle that comes with being a celebrity.
I always knew I wanted it to be illustrated.
I found that I was much more interested in writing and that I didn't like the illustrating at all. I had always been the hardest on myself when I drew and painted. I am not hard on myself when I write. I like what I write, so it is a much happier process.
But when I was a little kid, I was always writing stories and illustrating little books that I would create.
Sadly, bird illustration has always been an under-appreciated art.
I always wrote little things when I was younger. My first opus was a book of poems put down in a spiral notebook at five or six, handsomely accompanied by crayon illustrations.
I always say it's a shame picture books get such a bad rep. Illustrations are tough to sell older kids on!
Whatever part I'm playing, I always carry with me something that's been used by an illustrious predecessor. I'm a great believer in a touching of hands. I have daggers belonging to Henry Irving and Sarah Siddons.
Our band has always been really big on imagery. We've kind of used that as one of our strengths; we tend to do that pretty well.
The imaginary world has always been the most fun place for me to be.
There's always an imbalance with actors and actresses in the industry. And I think because there are just fewer movies overall being made, it's that trickle down effect.
The one thing an audience always has in common with a comedian is troubles. The Yiddish word for that is tsuris. You're always putting your tsuris on stage whether you like it or not. No one is untroubled, unless they're just, you know, an imbecile.
Wealth does not trickle down to the poor. Oxfam knows this, the IMF knows this, the World Bank knows this. Poor people have always known this.
My motto is never to try to imitate anybody: I have always looked inward and followed the inward voice.
I always imitated other people and thought, 'Well, maybe I'll do standup,' but I was too afraid for that.
