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All the peoples in the world who talk of a cosmic serpent…

“All the peoples in the world who talk of a cosmic serpent have been saying as much for millennia. He had not seen it because the rational gaze is forever focalized and can examine only one thing at a time. It separates things to understand them, including the truly complementary. It is the gaze of…” quote by Jeremy Narby
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““All the peoples in the world who talk of a cosmic serpent have been saying as much for millennia. He had not seen it because the rational gaze is forever focalized and can examine only one thing at a time. It separates things to understand them, including the truly complementary. It is the gaze of the specialist, who sees the fine grain of a necessarily restricted field of vision. ””

Jeremy Narby

About This Quote

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

Specialized focus limits perception, preventing holistic insight into interconnected realities.

In simple terms: Narrow focus blocks big picture.

Key Takeaway

Broaden perspective beyond specialization.

Themes

specialization perception holism

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • scientific research
  • policy making
  • education
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

cognitive bias systems thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • How might you integrate multiple viewpoints?
  • What blind spots arise from narrow focus?
A Different Perspective

Specialization can miss emergent patterns and cross‑disciplinary solutions.

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