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There's this idea of shifting baselines. It was coined by…

“There's this idea of shifting baselines. It was coined by a guy named Jeremy Jackson. It's the idea that every generation takes what it sees, and says, "Okay, well, that's the norm."” quote by Elizabeth Kolbert
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“There's this idea of shifting baselines. It was coined by a guy named Jeremy Jackson. It's the idea that every generation takes what it sees, and says, "Okay, well, that's the norm."”

Elizabeth Kolbert

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Each generation normalizes the environmental conditions they inherit, shifting perceptions of what is acceptable or normal.

In simple terms: Generations accept worsening conditions as normal.

Key Takeaway

Question what’s truly normal.

Themes

environment generational perception baseline shift climate change

Mood

reflective concerned

Type

educational analytical

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • education
  • public awareness

Key Concepts

sociology environmental science

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we reset our environmental expectations?
  • What role does media play in shifting baselines?
A Different Perspective

Changing baselines can mask degradation.

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