“Who can say if the thoughts you have in your mind as you read these words are the same thoughts I had in my mind as I typed them? We are different, you and I, and the qualia of our consciousnesses are as divergent as two stars at the ends of the universe. ​ And yet, whatever has been lost in translation in the long journey of my thoughts through the maze of civilization to your mind, I think you do understand me, and you think you do understand me. Our minds managed to touch, if but briefly and imperfectly. ​ Does the thought not make the universe seem just a bit kinder, a bit brighter, a bit warmer and more human? ​ We live for such miracles.”​ ​ — Ken Liu, “The Paper Menagerie,” the first work of fiction to sweep the Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy Awards. Deep bow to repeat podcast guest @photomatt for gifting me Ken’s book years ago.