J. Michael Straczynski

We are not powerless. We have tremendous potential for good or ill. How we choose to use that power is up to us; but first we must choose to use it. We're told every day, "You can't change the world." But the world is changing every day. Only question is...who's doing it? You or somebody else?

Joseph Michael Straczynski (born 17 July 1954) is an award-winning American writer/producer of television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas.

See also:

Babylon 5 (1993–1998)

Crusade (1999)

Changeling (2008)

Quotes

As an atheist, I believe that all life is unspeakably precious, because it’s only here for a brief moment, a flare against the dark, and then it’s gone forever.

• We have an obligation to one another, responsibilities and trusts. That does not mean we must be pigeons, that we must be exploited. But it does mean that we should look out for one another when and as much as we can; and that we have a personal responsibility for our behavior; and that our behavior has consequences of a very real and profound nature. We are not powerless. We have tremendous potential for good or ill. How we choose to use that power is up to us; but first we must choose to use it. We're told every day, "You can't change the world." But the world is changing every day. Only question is … who's doing it? You or somebody else?
  • J. Michael Straczynski (1995-04-07). "At The Midpoint (Spoilers for everything)". rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated. (Google Groups).

• I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks the use of an angelic (or seemingly angelic character), whose likes have been written about for, oh, about 4,000 years, is ripping off Star Trek, has his head so thoroughly up his ass as to have blipped into an entirely new intestinally-based reality and desperately needs to get a wider frame of reference.
  • J. Michael Straczynski (1995-11-10). "Re: B5 rips off Trek Again! (T". rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5. (Google Groups).

• Even Zathras say, Braves suck.
  • Posted on Compuserve, (1997)

• They told us not to wish in the first place, not to aspire, not to try; to be quiet, to play nice, to shoot low and aspire not at all. They are always wrong. Follow your dreams. Make your wishes. Create the future. And above all, believe in yourself. That is the lesson of Babylon 5.
  • From the Babylon 5 Calendar (1998)

• I think it behooves us to treat our characters' beliefs with some measure of respect, whatever he believes in.
  I mean I'm an atheist myself, but I don't have to believe in Minbari to write about Minbari. I think if that person is a religious character, then you have to treat them with integrity and deal with them properly. As a result, this show is very popular with a lot of religious folks.
  • Discussion held at MIT on (4 May 1998).

• I like to consider my mind an open door. It's just not a revolving door.
  • J. Michael Straczynski (2002-07-20). "ATTN JMS: Are you a millionaire ?". rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated. (Google Groups).

• Your assumption, and the truth, dine at totally separate tables.
  • J. Michael Straczynski (11 February 2004). "Specualtion and Worries on New B5 project". rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated. (Google Groups).

• As an atheist, I believe that all life is unspeakably precious, because it’s only here for a brief moment, a flare against the dark, and then it’s gone forever. No afterlives, no second chances, no backsies. So there can be nothing crueler than the abuse, destruction or wanton taking of a life. It is a crime no less than burning the Mona Lisa, for there is always just one of each. So I cannot forgive.
  • Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5 : "Passing Through Gethsemane : jms speaks" (13 July (2004)

• Doctor Doom: Bereft of my technology... mystic armor damaged... offensive and defensive capabilities minimal. Enemy forces... [a horde of demons closes in] substantial. It matters not. Even cornered, to my last breath I remain who and what I am. I will not hide, nor tremble, nor beg. Let them come and reckon with fury that is DOOM defiant. Here I stand, hell-horde! Unbowed! But understand: If it is my destiny that I should perish this day, I shall not go down easily... and I shall NOT go down ALONE.
  Demons: RIP its SKIN. Wear it for HIDE. Its EYES for me. Tear its FLESH from its BONES.
  Doctor Doom: Yes, come, and let us make an end of it — there is DOOM enough for ALL!
  • J. Michael Straczynski (June 2006), "The Hammer Falls (Part 2)", Fantastic Four (537) 

• The more important the emotion is, the fewer words required to express it:
  Will you go out with me?
  I think I like you.
  I care for you.
  I love you.
  Marry me.
  Goodbye.
  • JMSNews (31 January 2008)

• You can't let the outside world, or your perception of yourself in it, affect the work; that way madness lies. The only correct approach is to ensure that whatever you write, whenever you write it, you strive to make it better than the last thing you wrote.
  • J. Michael Straczynski, Twitter post (March 2023)

Disputed

• Stun settings are for people who can't commit.
  • Frequently attributed to jms, but earliest Google Groups post with that quote is by Bill Capeheart. May not originally be from Usenet.

External links

• The Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5
  • Contains a great many quotes from J. Michael Straczynski, from conversations, mostly online, with fans of Babylon 5.