--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are a categorically obsessed culture…" description: "\"We are a categorically obsessed culture, where we have to compartmentalize everything in reference to another thing, like, 'What does it sound like? Do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/darren-criss-8323_culture_we-are-a-categorically-obsessed-culture_194353.jpg" --- # We are a categorically obsessed culture, where we have to… ![“We are a categorically obsessed culture, where we have to compartmentalize everything in reference to another thing, like, 'What does it sound like? Does it sound like this?” quote by Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/darren-criss-8323_culture_we-are-a-categorically-obsessed-culture_194353.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/darren-criss-8323_culture_we-are-a-categorically-obsessed-culture_194353.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2d/darren-criss-8323_culture_we-are-a-categorically-obsessed-culture_194353.jpg) > “We are a categorically obsessed culture, where we have to compartmentalize everything in reference to another thing, like, 'What does it sound like? Does it sound like this?” [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) ## 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 critiques a culture that constantly compares and categorizes, limiting original thought. **In simple terms:** We always compare things to other things, which can trap us. Key Takeaway Seek originality beyond comparison. Themes culture comparison creativity Mood critical analytical Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - marketing - artistic creation - education - decision making Key Concepts social psychology media influence Questions to Reflect On - When does comparison aid rather than hinder? - How can you balance analysis with originality? A Different Perspective Comparisons can also help clarify choices and inspire innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) ## Related quotes > [We see everything. We see what celebrities buy at the supermarket. It's ridiculous. It's that visibility. I'm confused by this whole celebrity-obsessed culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-mendes/we-see-everything-we-see-what-celebrities-buy-at-the-supermarket-it-s/) [Eva Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eva-mendes/) > [We live in a beauty-obsessed culture, which on one hand is absolutely fabulous, but on the flip side, is also dangerously extreme.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-winding-refn/we-live-in-a-beauty-obsessed-culture-which-on-one-hand-is-absolutely/) [Nicolas Winding Refn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-winding-refn/) > [The cartoon is a metaphor really for the fact that it's almost impossible in our celebrity obsessed culture to move around genres and sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-albarn/the-cartoon-is-a-metaphor-really-for-the-fact-that-it-s-almost/) [Damon Albarn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-albarn/) > [I can categorically tell you that Mario Balotelli will not be at Liverpool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-rodgers/i-can-categorically-tell-you-that-mario-balotelli-will-not-be-at/) [Brendan Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-rodgers/) > [“We're not the damned, folks, we're the categorically fucked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/we-re-not-the-damned-folks-we-re-the-categorically-fucked/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I want to categorically say that whatever I am, I have made a space for myself in Indian politics and media out of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smriti-irani/i-want-to-categorically-say-that-whatever-i-am-i-have-made-a-space/) [Smriti Irani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smriti-irani/) > [I couldn't do what I did in 'Deadpool' without 'Transporter,' categorically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-skrein/i-couldn-t-do-what-i-did-in-deadpool-without-transporter-categorically/) [Ed Skrein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-skrein/) > [The self-esteem obsessed culture has taught us to put ourselves on the throne of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-self-esteem-obsessed-culture-has-taught-us-to-put-ourselves-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I hate to say it - it breaks my heart - but we're a tacky, money-obsessed culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-doherty/i-hate-to-say-it-it-breaks-my-heart-but-we-re-a-tacky-money-obsessed/) [Pete Doherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-doherty/) > [I think I was obsessed with the culture of riding. I got sick of having to date guys who rode motorcycles for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katee-sackhoff/i-think-i-was-obsessed-with-the-culture-of-riding-i-got-sick-of/) [Katee Sackhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katee-sackhoff/) > [We live in a youth-obsessed, aesthetically obsessed culture. That is no more evident than in the film industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-barnes/we-live-in-a-youth-obsessed-aesthetically-obsessed-culture-that-is-no/) [Ben Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-barnes/) > [They cannot imagine what I'll sound like. But always when I'm done singing, people are very surprised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-lee/they-cannot-imagine-what-i-ll-sound-like-but-always-when-i-m-done/) [Coco Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-lee/) > [I used to sing as a kid, but it was quite squeaky. I think I was about 19 or 20, and we used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rag-n-bone-man/i-used-to-sing-as-a-kid-but-it-was-quite-squeaky-i-think-i-was-about/) [Rag'n'Bone Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rag-n-bone-man/) > [I just wanted to sound like Green Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-kahan/i-just-wanted-to-sound-like-green-day/) [Noah Kahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-kahan/) > [I sound like my mum and I like that. I like that I sound like where I'm from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-lou-wood/i-sound-like-my-mum-and-i-like-that-i-like-that-i-sound-like-where-i/) [Aimee Lou Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-lou-wood/) ## More by Darren Criss > [Hollywood is a strange, strange thing. I feel like I've been invited to a very exclusive ball and I'm just trying to make nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/hollywood-is-a-strange-strange-thing-i-feel-like-i-ve-been-invited-to/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [I've always loved Broadway, but I never thought I'd actually do it because I was never a full Broadway dancer. And I don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-ve-always-loved-broadway-but-i-never-thought-i-d-actually-do-it/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [I've always enjoyed fashion and dressing up for things, whether it's high fashion or play fashion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-ve-always-enjoyed-fashion-and-dressing-up-for-things-whether-it-s/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [Glee is more then just a show now. It's become a wonderful culture celebrating the underdog and glorifying individuality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/glee-is-more-then-just-a-show-now-it-s-become-a-wonderful-culture/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [People fall in love with a person, not a gender or an age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/people-fall-in-love-with-a-person-not-a-gender-or-an-age/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [Fashion is about owning whatever you're wearing, regardless of if it's a high fashion statement or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/fashion-is-about-owning-whatever-you-re-wearing-regardless-of-if-it-s/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [I don't believe in guilty pleasures. If I like it, I don't feel guilty about it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-don-t-believe-in-guilty-pleasures-if-i-like-it-i-don-t-feel-guilty/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [The cool thing about music is no one can take music away from you, writing wise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/the-cool-thing-about-music-is-no-one-can-take-music-away-from-you/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [I never let my politics supersede my manners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-never-let-my-politics-supersede-my-manners/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [I was consumed by my love for Chris Colfer, and I just couldn't hold it in any longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-was-consumed-by-my-love-for-chris-colfer-and-i-just-couldn-t-hold/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [Never let what is popular actually define your taste or interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/never-let-what-is-popular-actually-define-your-taste-or-interests/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [I’ve always loved fairytales, and I’ve loved the concept of, um, some of the best parts of a lot of stories are the beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-ve-always-loved-fairytales-and-i-ve-loved-the-concept-of-um-some-of/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [As a composer and as a musician I'm a true believer - and this is not to be overly diplomatic - I'm a believer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/as-a-composer-and-as-a-musician-i-m-a-true-believer-and-this-is-not/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [I remember seeing Aladdin when I was five or six and loving it. I looked at the big screen and said to my mum,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/i-remember-seeing-aladdin-when-i-was-five-or-six-and-loving-it-i/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) > [Guys I’m kind of nutty, but you have to understand that that’s all just me being myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-criss/guys-i-m-kind-of-nutty-but-you-have-to-understand-that-that-s-all/) [Darren Criss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) [Explore all 82 Darren Criss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-criss/) ## More Culture quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [A lot of indigenous cultures are deeply involved in working with ancestor spirits, elemental spirits, and demons. Many of these cultures feel that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pinchbeck/a-lot-of-indigenous-cultures-are-deeply-involved-in-working-with/) [Daniel Pinchbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pinchbeck/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I was born and raised in Orlando, where the economy and culture has been powerfully shaped by tourism, and so I've long been interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-van-den-berg/i-was-born-and-raised-in-orlando-where-the-economy-and-culture-has/) [Laura van den Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-van-den-berg/) > [Our times demand the declaration of the world's resources as the common heritage of all people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/our-times-demand-the-declaration-of-the-world-s-resources-as-the/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/) [Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/) > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [I think it's useful to experience other types of dance and other cultures, and the life of a classical dancer these days is certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-bull/i-think-it-s-useful-to-experience-other-types-of-dance-and-other/) [Deborah Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-bull/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [It is not my intention to explain Turkey, its culture and its problems. My literature has a universal concern: I want to bring people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/it-is-not-my-intention-to-explain-turkey-its-culture-and-its-problems/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I don't think the distinction between high and low culture exists anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-scott/i-don-t-think-the-distinction-between-high-and-low-culture-exists/) [Jeremy Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-scott/) > [You get below the Mason-Dixon line and you have some of the best music, culture, the two races, the literature, and it's so rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-duvall/you-get-below-the-mason-dixon-line-and-you-have-some-of-the-best/) [Robert Duvall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-duvall/) > [It is proposed that a form of free dialogue may well be one of the most effective ways of investigating the crisis which faces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bohm/it-is-proposed-that-a-form-of-free-dialogue-may-well-be-one-of-the/) [David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bohm/) > [“Being grounded in your lifelong culture and your personal perspective, you are comfortable with the way you see things and may believe it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/being-grounded-in-your-lifelong-culture-and-your-personal-perspective/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) [Browse all 15,940 Culture quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are a categorically obsessed culture, where we have to compartmentalize everything in reference to another thing, like, 'What does it sound like? 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