Because in the modern world money does not represent value, Mr. Tighe — money represents debt. And the more debt that is created in the world, the mo… - Daniel Suarez

Let me tell you the story of the most successful organism of all time: this is the story of the parasite. … Early on, evolution branched into two distinct paths: independent organisms—those that exist on their own in the natural world—and parasites—organisms that live on other organisms. And it was, by far, the parasites that proved the more successful of the two branches. Today, for every independent organism in nature, there exist three parasites. … These two strains of evolution have been locked in a primordial arms race, constantly evolving to best each other for supremacy of this planet. As parasites evolve to perfect their systems against a species of host, the host evolves to evade their attack. Scientists call this theory of an eternal genetic struggle the Red Queen Hypothesis—a name taken from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass.

"The crab scuttled toward its hole. "Sacculina is a parasite that infests saltwater crabs. It burrows into their flesh and extends tendrils into the crab’s bloodstream and brain. It chemically castrates the crab and becomes its new brain — controlling it like a zombie.

Well, for once in my life, I not only know why I’m here, at this place, I finally know why I exist. I’ve always wondered why I was so odd. What possible evolutionary purpose could a person like me serve? No kids. Focused on my own experiences... This is my purpose. This has always been the purpose of people like us. We blaze trails. We chart oceans. We push back frontiers. Without us, humanity slowly dies.