Is it about elephants?

I found my copy of Ghastly Beyond Belief, Neil Gaiman and Kim Newman’s wonderful collection of quotations from science fiction and fantasy. Page 164 has this excellent exchange between Michael Moorcock and Thomas Disch.

Tom Disch: I’m writing a book about what everyone wants most.

Moorcock: Really? Is it about elephants?

Disch: Elephants? No, it’s about becoming more intelligent.

Moorcock: Oh, what I’ve always wanted most is to be an elephant.