Quote by Nicholson Baker

Friends, both the imaginary ones you build for yourself out of phrases taken from a living writer, or real ones from college, and relatives, despite all the waste of ceremony and fakery and the fact that out of an hour of conversation you may have only five minutes in which the old entente reappears, are the only real means for foreign ideas to enter your brain.

Friends, both the imaginary ones you build for yourself out

Summary

This quote suggests that friends, whether they are imaginary or real, and even relatives, are crucial for introducing new ideas and perspectives into our minds. Despite the superficiality and pretense that often accompany social interactions, it is these relationships that provide an avenue for foreign ideas to penetrate our thoughts. Although genuine connection and understanding may only occur briefly during conversations, these moments are invaluable in broadening our horizons and expanding our intellectual horizons. Friends and relatives serve as channels for the infusion of novel concepts and help to nurture personal growth and development.

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By Nicholson Baker

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