[O]ver the years I travelled to another universe. However…
![“[O]ver the years I travelled to another universe. However alert we are, however much we think we know what will happen, antiquity remains an unknown, unanticipated galaxy. It is alien, and old people are a separate form of life. They have green skin, with two heads that sprout antennae. They can…” quote by Donald Hall](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/399/donald-hall-10508_aging_o-ver-the-years-i-travelled-to-another-u_1966942.jpg)
““[O]ver the years I travelled to another universe. However alert we are, however much we think we know what will happen, antiquity remains an unknown, unanticipated galaxy. It is alien, and old people are a separate form of life. They have green skin, with two heads that sprout antennae. They can be pleasant, they can be annoying--in the supermarket, these old ladies won't get out of my way--but most important they are permanently other. When we turn eighty, we understand that we are extraterrestrial. If we forget for a moment that we are old, we are reminded when we try to stand up, or when we encounter someone young, who appears to observe green skin, extra heads, and protuberances.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Aging feels like entering an alien world where our bodies and perceptions become unfamiliar, reminding us of our otherness.
In simple terms: Old age feels alien and unfamiliar.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the strangeness of aging.
Themes
aging
otherness
identity
perception
loneliness
Mood
reflective
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- nursing home
- daily routines
- intergenerational interactions
- public spaces
Key Concepts
existentialism
body image
social alienation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perceiving yourself as alien affect your daily choices?
- What can we learn from treating aging as a new frontier?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overlook the continuity of self across life stages.