Physics advances by accepting absurdities. Its history is one of unbelievable ideas proving to be true. — Rivka Galchen Copy Share Image
“I’m interested in [meteorology], but I’m more interested in gross misappropriations of the authoritative language of science. It feels rife with clarity, and yet… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“So,' I said, partly to Magda, partly to myself, 'Rema left Argentina with this An-a-to-le person.' I adopted the four-syllable pronunciation with confidence, feeling… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“That's something that would really sell. I mean, I admire that you tell stories of make-believe people in worlds that don't exist and that… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“We need to develop a better descriptive vocabulary for lying, a taxonomy, a way to distinguish intentional lies from unintentional ones, and a way… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“Sometimes failing is what's needed. I think it can put people in a good mood, to see someone fail. Let people entertain themselves. I… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“I don’t know if math is real in the sense that it’s woven into the fabric of the cosmos, or if it’s something that… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
The magnificently humble. The enormously small. The meaningfully ridiculous. Robert Walser's work often reads like a dazzling answer to the question, How immense can… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
We need to develop a better descriptive vocabulary for lying, a taxonomy, a way to distinguish intentional lies from unintentional ones, and a way… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“If a story seems too random, or perhaps too brilliant, for a "madman" to have conceived of it himself, then consider that the "author"… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“The room was too much there. I could feel the color of the wallpaper -- burgundy -- invading.” — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“Every Tuesday night I go and see whatever is playing at the movie theater nearby. I'm not choosy. I'm happy to see whatever everyone… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
But one day I woke up and heard myself saying, I am a fork being used to eat cereal. I am not a spoon.… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
I've always thought of my own mind as an unruly parliament, with a feeble leader, with crazy extremist factions. — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“In a way our job is not so much to inspire the scientist in kids, but rather to allow it to grow on its… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
“I have mentioned my patient Harvey, but I have failed to properly discuss him and the odd coincidence, or almost co-incidence, of his having… — Rivka Galchen Copy Share
