Quotes

Robert Fripp

“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.” – Robert Fripp

Really nice quote that I think is a bit of a play with the idiom ‘Is the glass half empty or half full?‘

Socrates

“Get not your friends by bare compliments, but by giving them sensible tokens of your love.” – Socrates

To me, it suggests that a worthwhile friendship or indeed any relationship that has real value must base itself upon reciprocation or the process of giving and taking.

Our Mutual Friend - Charles Dickens

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” – Charles Dickens

When going through an existential crisis I think that Dickens’ words can give meaning to life by suggesting that we are not alone and always have the option of giving life meaning by helping others.

Secret of Mana

“Time flows like a river, and history repeats.” Secret of Mana

This was the opening text of one of my favourite games and the first RPG I ever played on a SNES. It was the standard ‘high fantasy‘ kind of affair but of course with a Japanese twist. Very influential game to both me and the gaming community.

Final Fantasy VII

“I always thought this planet was so huge. But lookin’ at it from space, I realized it’s so small. We’re just floatin’ in the dark. Kinda makes you feel powerless… That’s why I say this planet’s still a kid. A little kid sick and trembling in the middle of this huge universe. “  Cid Highwind, Final Fantasy VII

Midway through the game you board an abandoned space program rocket and get  sent into space for some dialogue. Final Fantasy VII had some very complex ideas embedded into it and for me the idea of Mako and the Lifestream represented a form of Gaia Theory.

Bertrand Russell

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time” – Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell was a Welsh-born and colourful fellow who is probably best know for his philosophical works. Often credited with founding analytical philosophy. Many people dismiss video gaming as a waste of time. In theory i don’t entirely disagree but i think that if it pleases someone what is really wasted? A loss of potential? If so then many actions you may take might cause consequences that result in lost potential.