Food, one assumes, provides nourishment; but Americans eat it fully aware that small amounts of poison have been added to improve its appearance and delay its putrefaction.
John CageRead
I am trying to check my habits of seeing, to counter them for the sake of greater freshness. I am trying to be unfamiliar with what I'm doing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of altering one's perspective to experience life more vividly.
John Cage expresses a desire to change his habitual ways of observing the world in order to regain a sense of freshness and novelty in his experiences. By striving to be unfamiliar with his own actions and surroundings, he aims to break free from routine and engage more deeply with life, suggesting that a shift in perspective can lead to a more profound appreciation of everyday moments.
Themes
HabitsFreshnessPerspectiveExperienceNovelty
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about creativity, one might quote this to encourage artists to seek new ways of seeing their work.
More from John Cage
All quotes βWhich is more musical: a truck passing by a factory or a truck passing by a music school?
John CageRead
There was a German philosopher who is very well known, his name was Immanuel Kant, and he said there are two things that donβt have to mean anything, one is music and the other is laughter. Donβt have to mean anything that is, in order to give us deep pleasure.
John CageRead
I remember loving sound before I ever took a music lesson. And so we make our lives by what we love.
John CageRead
I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.
John CageRead
People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.
John CageRead
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