Martin Rees

There is an ever-widening gap between what science allows and what we should actually do. There are many doors science can open that should be kept closed, on prudential or ethical grounds.

I've got no religious beliefs at all.

Crucial to science education is hands-on involvement: showing, not just telling; real experiments and field trips and not just 'virtual reality.'

If I hadn't been inside of Biosphere 2 and really lived a biological life-support system, I definitely would not be involved in life-support systems for space.

I'd date someone younger or older; age doesn't matter to me. Or looks, really - it's all about maturity.

I think a lot of songwriters would agree that it's often easier to find inspiration in misery.