Pessimism and optimism are slammed up against each other in my records, the tension between them is where it's all at, it's what lights the fire.

But then I go through long periods where I don't listen to things, usually when I'm working. In between the records and in between the writing I suck up books and music and movies and anything I can find.

If you listen to the great Beatle records, the earliest ones where the lyrics are incredibly simple. Why are they still beautiful? Well, they're beautifully sung, beautifully played, and the mathematics in them is elegant. They retain their elegance.

If you listen to the great Beatle records, the earliest ones where the lyrics are incredibly simple. Why are they still beautiful? Well, they're beautifully sung, beautifully played, and the mathematics in them is elegant. They retain their elegance.

When I was growing up, there were two things that were unpopular in my house. One was me, and the other was my guitar.

If pessimism is despair, optimism is cowardice and stupidity. Is there any need to choose between them?