Able Quote by Dani Shapiro
“I remember getting my first cell phone in New York, getting into a taxi and thinking "This is the end of solitude in the back of a taxi." What used to happen in the back of a taxi? You looked out the window. My brain has become less able to spend lengths of time without shifting, and I worry about that.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Technology and solitude, 2021
He reflects on how mobile phones ended the quiet moments once found in taxi rides, raising concerns about constant distraction.
In simple terms: Phones removed solitary time, causing anxiety about attention span.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindful breaks from devices to preserve focus.
Themes
technology
solitude
attention
urban life
anxiety
Mood
contemplative
concerned
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- commuting
- working remotely
- social interactions
Key Concepts
Digital distraction
cognitive load
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does technology reshape personal solitude?
- What habits can restore focused attention?
A Different Perspective
Constant connectivity can erode deep thinking.
![“[When working on a book] I have an almost complete detachment from the world I live in, a sort of armor against distraction. I talk to people, move about, appear on the surface much as usual. But later on I have only a confused memory of what has happened during that period.” quote by Mary Roberts Rinehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2c2/mary-roberts-rinehart-4636_armor_when-working-on-a-book-i-have-an-almost_2129087.jpg)
