I used to cycle to work back in the days when I was a bit less lazy. But then I went to Australia where everywhere is far too far away to make bikes anything other than a comedy, and when I came back all I could do was drive. There are some nice cycle trails over here though, and you don't even have to spill blood for them. And the best part is that you're more or less guaranteed a pub every two miles.

I've been busy, too busy for writing recently. I'd try picking through all your poetic stresses but it's been a long day. I still think your writing's better when it shies away from the generalisations and concentrates more on something you know a lot about, or can target more easily. Where you at these days?

Are you really a hobo?

No.

You're saying some most un-Dark Angel-like things. Or at least you're implying some such things. Do people need fear to keep them in check? Yes, actually. It doesn't have to be fear of eternal violence. It's usually just fear of immediate violence, such a clip round the ear for being a little rascal. But when that fear disappears, what substitute is there to maintain some sort of pleasant social behaviour? Here's an example: it makes no sense for a ten-year-old midget to hurl abuse at a six foot four inch 21-year-old. All logic says that it's a terrible idea from the 10-year-old's point of view. So why does he do it?

I'm not a particularly religious person. I had all my real hope bludgeoned out of me by your chums in the scientific world. I don't particularly want to murder someone, but then I'm a nice, boring person. And yes, I was brought up with mild religious undertones. Weren't you? Can I give in to the popular media for a moment and ask you about Mr. Newlove's killers? Why don't they seem to have any remorse?

I think I've spent the last ten minutes just waffling around your original question. This is why I only got a 2:1.

So if we got rid of every religious tendency then the whole world would suddenly become all happy joyful?