And Man created the plastic bag and the tin and aluminum can and the cellophane wrapper and the paper plate, and this was good because Man could then take his automobile and buy all his food in one place and He could save that which was good to eat in the refrigerator and throw away that which had no further use. And soon the earth was covered with plastic bags and aluminum cans and paper plates and disposable bottles and there was nowhere to sit down or walk, and Man shook his head and cried: Look at this Godawful mess.

Summary

This quote highlights the irony of mankind's instinctive pursuit of convenience and consumption. It suggests that the inventions like plastic bags, cans, and disposable items were initially perceived as beneficial for enhancing easy access to resources and preserving food. However, as humans excessively embraced these products, they became major contributors to the environmental crisis. The quote further implies that despite the convenience, the Earth's beauty and functionality have become compromised, leading to an exasperated reaction where Man realizes the gravity of the mess he has unintentionally created.

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