Every atom you possess has almost certainly passed through several stars and been part of millions of organisms on its way to becoming you. We are each so atomically numberous and so vigorously recycled at death that a significant number of our atoms-up to a billion for each of us, it has been suggested-probably once belonged to Shakespeare. A billion more each came from Buddha and Genghis Khan and Beethoven, and any other historical figure you care to name.

Summary

This quote highlights the profound interconnectedness of all living beings. It suggests that the atoms comprising our bodies have traversed cosmic and biological journeys, likely originating from stars and being components of countless organisms before forming who we are today. The quote goes further to propose that a substantial portion of our atoms might have once belonged to notable individuals throughout history, such as Shakespeare, Buddha, Genghis Khan, or Beethoven. Ultimately, it emphasizes the unity and shared essence of humanity, reminding us that we all have a common origin and are connected at the fundamental level of matter.

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