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Cinema, radio, television, magazines are a school of inattention: people look without seeing, listen in without hearing.
Robert Bresson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Bresson critiques mass media for promoting superficial engagement with the world.

In this quote, Robert Bresson expresses his concern that various forms of media, such as cinema, radio, and television, contribute to a pervasive culture of distraction and superficiality. He argues that these mediums often encourage individuals to consume content passively, leading to a lack of true understanding and awareness of what is being presented, thereby numbing their senses and critical thinking.

Themes

MediaDistractionPerceptionAwarenessEngagement

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about media consumption, this quote highlights the importance of being mindful of what we engage with.

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The future of cinematography belongs to a new race of young solitaries who will shoot films by putting their last penny into it and not let themselves be taken in by the material routines of the trade.
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