Outer space Quote by Alan Wilson Watts
““Consider the difference between the two types of globemaps of planet Earth, the physical and the political. The first is a marvelous wiggly affair, blue, green, brown, yellow, and occasionally white. The second, especially on the North American continent, is angrily scratched across with straight lines, and the one earth (and we should not forget the one air) covered with patches of contrasting colors to identify the domains of differing bands of gangsters. Which of the two more closely resembles Earth as seen from outer space?””
About This Quote
Source Speech: The Nature of Maps, 1970s (lecture series)
He contrasts natural, colorful Earth with artificial, divided political boundaries, questioning which view reflects true reality.
In simple terms: He compares natural Earth to political borders.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how human constructs shape perception.
Themes
perception
politics
reality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- geopolitical analysis
- environmental education
- urban planning
Key Concepts
cartography
social constructs
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the political map hide about our planet?
- How do borders affect our sense of global citizenship?
A Different Perspective
Political maps can obscure ecological unity.
![“It was The Gospel From Outer Space, by Kilgore Trout. It was about a visitor from outer space...[who] made a serious study of Christianity, to learn, if he could, why Christians found it so easy to be cruel. He concluded that at least part of the trouble was slipshod storytelling in the New…” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e53/kurt-vonnegut-41_bible_it-was-the-gospel-from-outer-space-by-ki_77926.jpg)
