Diverse Atheist Memes and Quotes

The ocean is so much more than fish, think carbon cycle, think climate, think the chemistry of the planet that has shaped all life on Earth.

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Suppose they (aliens) look at us the way we look at chimps?       Jane Goodall: They would I’m sure. […] Quite honestly if an intelligent alien looks at us now they would think what on earth has gone on. This… what separates us most from the chimps and other animals is this intellect, designs, technology that enables you to learn about the stars… So how on earth is this most intellectual creature to ever walk on the planet… why is it destroying its only home? Why are we polluting it and cutting down the rain forest, acidifying the ocean, why on earth are we doing all this? So those aliens would look at us and shake their heads and say ‘They are not so intelligent after all, intellectual maybe but not wise.’ We’ve lost our wisdom, we’re making decisions based on how does it help me now, the next shareholders meeting, next political campaign, not as the indigenous people do ‘how does this decision affect future generations.’ There’s a disconnect between this clever, clever brain and love and compassion.

Whenever there is polarization, there is an unhappy tendency to think the truth lies somewhere in between.

There are things we know we don’t know, like our friends dark matter and dark energy, but there are also things we don’t know we don’t know! […] Indigenous culture is rich with astronomical knowledge. I started hearing about Kamilaroi and Boorong astronomy while training at Sydney Observatory and was absolutely blown away. As soon as I learnt just a little bit about our ancestors’ complex knowledge, I knew I had to learn more. I was hooked. I didn’t always know what country I came from, but I always knew I was Aboriginal. When I started learning about Kamilaroi and Boorong astronomy, I had a driving force within me pushing me to learn more about my culture. That’s when I did some digging into the family background and discovered that I am Wiradjuri. So, I went and I researched, I talked to people, I researched some more and once again I was blown away by what I found. Great celestial emus that indicate when emu eggs are available, star clusters that bring the summer. Even now, two years on from that first critical moment, I am learning more and more about our amazing culture.

When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.

By sending a girl to school, she is far more likely to ensure that her children also receive an education. Investing in a girl’s education is investing in a nation. #IWD2018, #TimeIsNow #GlobalGoals

This accomplishment means anyone can do it, too. I have the very strong support of my family - my parents then and my husband now. It was all about learning from everybody around me. Interacting with colleagues, getting help when I needed and giving help to people, that is how we all do this.

“Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience.”

There is nothing inherently wrong with a brain in your nineties. If you keep it fed and interested, you’ll find it lasts you very well.

[Leaders] talk about eradicating extremism and ending poverty and then they ignore education.

What interests me is what I do not know. And it leaves me first of all silent. But at the same time, it strikes my body, it hurts me. It is always what is stronger than I am that interests me.

Faith in terms of an organized religion, no, it’s not part of my life. Marvel, looking at this universe that we have and then being blown away by how spectacular it is and enjoying the prospect of figuring out how it works, that’s a big part of my life. Here we are, literally stardust. We are the remnants of long dead stars. The iron in your hemoglobin was inside a massive star billions of years ago. But somehow, here we are, stardust, able to puzzle out a lot of the story of how we got here. That’s amazing! Right? How could you not be turned on by that, and it’s really empowering and exciting. And I don’t find any need for some formalized religion.