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Why this should be so is hard to say; one might be tempted…

“Why this should be so is hard to say; one might be tempted to believe that it was based on some ancient convention that originally had a practical purpose, such as a cellar being cold and therefore best suited for storing corpses, and that this principle had been retained in our era of…” quote by Karl Ove Knausgård
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““Why this should be so is hard to say; one might be tempted to believe that it was based on some ancient convention that originally had a practical purpose, such as a cellar being cold and therefore best suited for storing corpses, and that this principle had been retained in our era of refrigerators and cold-storage rooms, had it not been for the notion that transporting bodies upward in buildings seems contrary to the laws of nature, as though height and death are mutually incompatible.””

Karl Ove Knausgård

About This Quote

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

The quote questions the oddity of burying bodies high up, suggesting ancient practices may no longer make sense in modern technology.

In simple terms: Questioning old burial customs in modern buildings.

Key Takeaway

Reevaluate traditions with current technology.

Themes

tradition death architecture modernity

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • urban planning
  • funeral services
  • architectural design
  • historical research

Key Concepts

cultural inertia practicality symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do we cling to outdated customs?
  • How can design adapt to new technologies?
A Different Perspective

Old practices may persist despite better alternatives.

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