Quote by Daniel J. Boorstin

It is only a short step from exaggerating what we can find in the world to exaggerating our power to remake the world. Expecting more novelty than there is, more greatness than there is, and more strangeness than there is, we imagine ourselves masters of a plastic universe. But a world we can shape to our will is a shapeless world.


It is only a short step from exaggerating what we can find i

Summary

This quote suggests that when we exaggerate our understanding of the world and our ability to change it, we create unrealistic expectations. By expecting more novelty, greatness, and strangeness than truly exists, we deceive ourselves into thinking we can bend the world to our desires. However, in doing so, we overlook the inherent shape and structure of the world. Trying to shape a world according to our will ultimately results in a formless and chaotic existence, as we ignore the fundamental aspects that give it shape and meaning.

By Daniel J. Boorstin
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