Civilization has fallen out of touch with night. With lights, we drive the holiness and the beauty of night back to the forests and the seas; the little villages, the crossroads even, will have none of it. Are modern folk, perhaps, afraid of the night? Do they fear the vast serenity, the mystery of infinite space, the austerity of stars?

Summary

In this quote, the author suggests that modern civilization has distanced itself from the experience of night. Through abundant artificial lighting, the essence and enchantment of night are relegated to remote areas like forests and oceans, while even smaller communities reject its presence. The author questions whether this rejection stems from a fear of the night, and whether people are apprehensive of its profound tranquility, the infinite unknown of cosmic space, and the stoic essence exuded by distant stars. The quote invites reflection on our relationship with darkness and its inherent mysteries.

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