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More and more of us live segmented, compartmentalized lives. This isn't natural. For millions of years, our forebears knew everyone around them and everyone knew them.
Helen Fisher
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that modern life has become overly fragmented, which goes against our natural inclination for community and connection.

In this quote, Helen Fisher reflects on the disconnection caused by modern, segmented living. She contrasts this with the communal existence of our ancestors, who thrived in close-knit groups where relationships were deep and reciprocal. Fisher implies that this shift from unity to isolation is not healthy, urging us to recognize the importance of fostering connections with those around us, akin to the social structures that sustained humanity for millennia.

Themes

ConnectionCommunityRelationshipsIsolationSegmentationNaturalLife

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about mental health, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of social connections.

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[Women] tend to collect more pieces of data when they think, put them into more complex patterns, see more options and outcomes. They tend to be contextual, holistic thinkers.
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Most of us make up our minds in the first three minutes of meeting someone whether there's a potential for a relationship.
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People have often asked me whether what I know about love has spoiled it for me. And I just simply say, 'Hardly.' You can know every single ingredient in a piece of chocolate cake, and then when you sit down and eat that cake, you can still feel that joy.
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Quote by Helen Fisher | QuoteProject