Every moment of a science fiction story must represent the triumph of writing over world-building.

I was attracted to science fiction because it was so wide open. I was able to do anything and there were no walls to hem you in and there was no human condition that you were stopped from examining.

Let it be understood, in the first place, that a science fiction story must be an exposition of a scientific theme and it must be also a story.

I want to be the Cecil B. DeMille of science fiction.

Science fiction is not about the freedom of imagination. It's about a free imagination pinched and howling in a vise that other people call real life.

[...]How can a great civilization have destroyed itself so completely?"
"Perhaps,"said Apollo, "by being materially great and materially wise and nothing else.