I used to think that once you really knew a thing, its truth would shine on forever. Now it's pretty obvious to me that more often than not the batteries fade, and sometimes what you knew even goes out with a bang when you try and call on it, just like a light bulb cracking off when you throw the switch.

Summary

This quote suggests that the speaker used to believe that once they acquired knowledge or understanding about something, it would remain constant and ever-present. However, their perspective has changed over time as they've realized that knowledge can diminish or even completely fade away, similar to batteries losing their charge or a light bulb abruptly shutting off. The quote implies that knowledge is not always reliable and can be fleeting, reinforcing the idea that knowledge is often transient and subject to change or failure.

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