I call our world Flatland, not because we call it so, but to make its nature clearer to you, my happy readers, who are privileged to live in Space.
Interpretation
This quote uses the concept of Flatland to illustrate the limitations of perspective and understanding in different dimensions.
Edwin A. Abbott's quote refers to the idea of Flatland as a metaphor for a two-dimensional world, contrasting it with the three-dimensional space that we inhabit. It serves to remind us that our understanding of reality is shaped by our perspective, and encourages us to consider dimensions beyond our own limited view, thus emphasizing the importance of broadening our horizons and thinking critically about the nature of existence.
In practice
In a discussion about perception and reality, one might say, 'As Abbott illustrated in Flatland, our understanding is limited by our perspective.'
If our highly pointed triangles of the soldier class are formidable, it may be readily inferred that far more formidable are our women. For if a soldier is a wedge, a women is a needle; being, so to speak, all point, at least at the two extremities. Add to this the power of making herself practically invisible at will, and you will perceive that a female, in Flatland, is a creature by no means to be trifled with.
The world, dear Agnes, is a strange affair.
I just have a sense that, you know, I'm curious about what is religion about, you know? Why do some of us still engage it? It's not because it's a set of old beliefs or old ideas. Or even, particularly, the view that this is the only true religion. Many of us no longer accept those views.
This crime called blasphemy was invented by priests for the purpose of defending doctrines not able to take care of themselves.
And in truth (as I now see) I had the wish to put off my journey as long as I could. Not for any peril or labour it might cost; but because I could see nothing in the whole world for me to do once it was accomplished. AS long as this act lay before me, there was, as it were, some barrier between me and the dead desert which the rest of my life must be.
In a state therefore of great equality and virtue, where pure and simple manners prevailed, the increase of the human species would evidently be much greater than any increase that has been hitherto known.
The bombs in Vietnam explode at home; they destroy the hopes and possibilities for a decent America.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.