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Our brains are no longer conditioned for reverence and…

“Our brains are no longer conditioned for reverence and awe. We cannot imagine a Second Coming that would not be cut down to size by the televised evening news, or a Last Judgment not subject to pages of holier-than-thou second-guessing in The New York Review of Books.” quote by John Updike
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“Our brains are no longer conditioned for reverence and awe. We cannot imagine a Second Coming that would not be cut down to size by the televised evening news, or a Last Judgment not subject to pages of holier-than-thou second-guessing in The New York Review of Books.”

John Updike

About This Quote

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

Modern media erodes reverence, making profound awe seem impossible.

In simple terms: Media dulls our sense of the sacred.

Key Takeaway

Seek depth beyond headlines.

Themes

culture media spirituality skepticism

Mood

critical contemplative

Type

observational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • news consumption
  • religious practice
  • education
  • critical thinking

Key Concepts

media theory secularism cognitive overload

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does media shape your sense of wonder?
  • Can you cultivate reverence offline?
A Different Perspective

Some still find awe in personal experience.

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