Living our brief lives between the scales much bigger than an atom, yet much smaller than a galaxy, we forge our tools out of electricity, magnetism, and mathematics, and try to figure out how the whole thing works. We reach deep into the heart of matter for clues about the origin of the universe, and look to energetic messengers from the depths of space for reassurance that our curiosity will do us no harm, puzzling at the wonder and the unity of it all. -Stephen Reucroft and John Swain, Globe Correspondents (10/11/99)-

May there be such a oneness between you that when one weeps, the other tastes salt. -M. Buxbaum-

You may fire when you are ready, Gridley. -Commodore George Dewey, USN, 1 May 1898-

When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that person is crazy. -Dave Barry-

I have never understood the female capacity to avoid the answer to a direct question. -Spock, “Star Trek”-

The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought. -Samuel Adams-

On the other hand, we have different fingers. -Jack Handey-

You’re the kind of person who would throw a drowning man an anchor.

I’d rather be a geek than a geep.

I have not yet begun to fight! -Captain John Paul Jones, USN-