Don't just live the length of your life - live the width of it as well.
Diane AckermanRead
We ogle plants and animals up close on television, the Internet and in the movies. We may not worship the animals we see, but we still regard them as necessary physical and spiritual companions. Technological nature can't completely satisfy that yearning.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the deep connection humans feel toward nature and animals, which cannot be fully replaced by technology.
Diane Ackerman's quote reflects on humanity's fascination with the natural world through various media, highlighting how we observe and appreciate plants and animals in close detail. Despite their portrayal in technology, she suggests that our intrinsic need for connection to nature and its creatures remains fundamental and cannot be wholly fulfilled by artificial means, pointing to a spiritual dependency on the natural world.
Themes
NatureTechnologyConnectionAnimalsPlantsCompanions
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about environmental conservation, you might reference this quote to highlight the importance of preserving nature.
More from Diane Ackerman
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There is a way of beholding nature which is a form of prayer, a way of minding something with such clarity and aliveness that the rest of the world recedes. It . . . gives the brain a small vacation.
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