--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The metaphor I routinely use is polar…" description: "\"The metaphor I routinely use is polar bears in the Sahara desert. You take creatures adapted to the cold and put them in the heat, the very traits that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b87/david-katz-30306_cold_the-metaphor-i-routinely-use-is-polar-be_747440.jpg" --- # The metaphor I routinely use is polar bears in the Sahara… ![“The metaphor I routinely use is polar bears in the Sahara desert. You take creatures adapted to the cold and put them in the heat, the very traits that allow them to survive in one environment will conspire against them in the other. We are polar bears in the Sahara with one important distinction…” quote by David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b87/david-katz-30306_cold_the-metaphor-i-routinely-use-is-polar-be_747440.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b87/david-katz-30306_cold_the-metaphor-i-routinely-use-is-polar-be_747440.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b87/david-katz-30306_cold_the-metaphor-i-routinely-use-is-polar-be_747440.jpg) > “The metaphor I routinely use is polar bears in the Sahara desert. You take creatures adapted to the cold and put them in the heat, the very traits that allow them to survive in one environment will conspire against them in the other. We are polar bears in the Sahara with one important distinction: we are smarter than the average bear. Once we identify the nature of the problem, we can think our way out of it. But it begins by acknowledging you didn't fail because you couldn't succeed. Because you didn't even know what the scope of the problem was. It's not your fault.” [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adaptation to new environments can be hindered by traits suited to old ones; recognizing this enables smarter problem solving. **In simple terms:** Old strengths can become weaknesses in new settings. Key Takeaway Identify and adapt to changing conditions. Themes adaptation problem solving self-awareness innovation resilience Mood thoughtful analytical Type psychological motivational When to use this quote - career change - technology shifts - cultural integration - personal growth Key Concepts cognitive bias environmental fit strategic thinking Questions to Reflect On - What traits hinder you in new contexts? - How can you leverage strengths without being limited by them? A Different Perspective Overconfidence may blind one to necessary skill changes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Metaphor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metaphor/) [Polar Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polar-bear/) [Polar bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polar-bears/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Sahara desert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sahara-desert/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“Everyone in 'the life' was brutal by necessity and most by nature as well, however some were also intelligent. Of course, intelligence itself was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-apuzzo/everyone-in-the-life-was-brutal-by-necessity-and-most-by-nature-as/) [Nick Apuzzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-apuzzo/) > [I came from the outer suburbs of Melbourne, so you do learn how to survive in that environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mendelsohn/i-came-from-the-outer-suburbs-of-melbourne-so-you-do-learn-how-to/) [Ben Mendelsohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-mendelsohn/) > [“Polar bears can swim 100 miles without rest”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-anderson/polar-bears-can-swim-100-miles-without-rest/) [Adam Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-anderson/) > [There's a Polar Bear In our Frigidaire-- He likes it 'cause it's cold in there. With his seat in the meat And his face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/there-s-a-polar-bear-in-our-frigidaire-he-likes-it-cause-it-s-cold-in/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [We were working under very harsh conditions on 'Zero Kelvin.' We were up there in the Arctic, closer to the North Pole than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stellan-skarsgard/we-were-working-under-very-harsh-conditions-on-zero-kelvin-we-were-up/) [Stellan Skarsgard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stellan-skarsgard/) > [I think that I was slightly naive. I thought that if I showed people the beauty of the Arctic and the beauty of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-that-i-was-slightly-naive-i-thought-that-if-i-showed-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What do we talk about? Just ordinary things. What happened today, or books we've read, or tomorrow's weather, you know. Don't tell me you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/what-do-we-talk-about-just-ordinary-things-what-happened-today-or/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I've always thought of nuclear as something that's good for the environment. I worry about my polar bears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-dewan/i-ve-always-thought-of-nuclear-as-something-that-s-good-for-the/) [Leslie Dewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-dewan/) > [I don't think there's any way we can save the polar bears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-steger/i-don-t-think-there-s-any-way-we-can-save-the-polar-bears/) Will Steger > [“Go with polar bears, I say to myself. Polar bears at the North Pole. Baby polar bears scooting along after their mothers in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-hand/go-with-polar-bears-i-say-to-myself-polar-bears-at-the-north-pole/) [Cynthia Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-hand/) > [The only place Al Gore conserves energy these days is on the treadmill. I don't want to suggest that Al's getting big, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/the-only-place-al-gore-conserves-energy-these-days-is-on-the/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [If some of our teenage thrill seekers really want to go out and get a thrill, let them go up into the Northwest and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-bear/if-some-of-our-teenage-thrill-seekers-really-want-to-go-out-and-get-a/) [Fred Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-bear/) > [There's another totally fraudulent recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Al Gore hadn't done anything but make a movie that itself was filled with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/there-s-another-totally-fraudulent-recipient-of-the-nobel-peace-prize/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [“You have some lovely books," she said. "I like the one with the pictures of polar bears." "The books with words too tricky?" She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-elsborg/you-have-some-lovely-books-she-said-i-like-the-one-with-the-pictures/) [Barbara Elsborg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-elsborg/) > [Listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act could harm bear conservation efforts by eliminating revenues from the carefully-regulated sport hunting of polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ridenour/listing-the-polar-bear-under-the-endangered-species-act-could-harm/) Amy Ridenour ## More by David Katz > [My view of chronic disease prevention of fighting epidemic obesity and diabetes, of turning the tide, is that it is the job of professionals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/my-view-of-chronic-disease-prevention-of-fighting-epidemic-obesity/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We have literature indicating that overwhelmingly, health is influenced by a very short list of modifiable behaviors topped by three: tobacco use, physical activity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-have-literature-indicating-that-overwhelmingly-health-is/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [There is one thing that very reliably try to trumps the food supply and that is food demand. At the end of the day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/there-is-one-thing-that-very-reliably-try-to-trumps-the-food-supply/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We are facing a flood tide of factors into our daily lives and the lives of our children that conspire against weight control, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-are-facing-a-flood-tide-of-factors-into-our-daily-lives-and-the/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We are creatures. We have a link with a native habitat just like every other species. Throughout most of human history, physical activity was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-are-creatures-we-have-a-link-with-a-native-habitat-just-like-every/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We have a society that monumentally conspires against the pursuit of health. We have wave after wave of labor-saving technology that says don't ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-have-a-society-that-monumentally-conspires-against-the-pursuit-of/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [When I went to medical school, I was taught about two basic kinds of diabetes: juvenile onset and adult onset. From the time I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/when-i-went-to-medical-school-i-was-taught-about-two-basic-kinds-of/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [There's an awful lot about our society that is at odds with the basic message of "don't smoke, be active, eat a healthy diet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/there-s-an-awful-lot-about-our-society-that-is-at-odds-with-the-basic/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [I think basic disease care access and basic access to health care is a human right. If we need a constitutional amendment to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/i-think-basic-disease-care-access-and-basic-access-to-health-care-is/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [We don't control everything. There are genetic influences. There are environmental exposures we don't control. I cannot guarantee anyone I counsel that by following…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/we-don-t-control-everything-there-are-genetic-influences-there-are/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [Epidemic obesity is an enormous problem. It's a pendulum that's swung too far. We have to swing it back. So it should come as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/epidemic-obesity-is-an-enormous-problem-it-s-a-pendulum-that-s-swung/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [What we need to do now is recognize that it is the sum total of human ingenuity that is responsible for the epidemics of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/what-we-need-to-do-now-is-recognize-that-it-is-the-sum-total-of-human/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [I naturally gravitate toward the big picture which isn't necessarily advantageous when you go on to a career in research because successful researchers usually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/i-naturally-gravitate-toward-the-big-picture-which-isn-t-necessarily/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [Balanced, sensible nutrition: eat food, not too much, mostly plants, a healthy diet ala Michael Pollan, modern physical activity on a daily basis, modest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/balanced-sensible-nutrition-eat-food-not-too-much-mostly-plants-a/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) > [Color, rather than shape, is more closely related to emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-katz/color-rather-than-shape-is-more-closely-related-to-emotion/) [David Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) [Explore all 17 David Katz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-katz/) ## More Cold quotes > [Once ye made up yer mind to do somethin', 'tis better t'stumble o'er the small hillock of jump-ahead than t'bash yer head on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/once-ye-made-up-yer-mind-to-do-somethin-tis-better-t-stumble-o-er-the/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [Of course Messi could handle a cold Tuesday night in Stoke. He'd be drinking tea and relaxing beforehand. Me? I'd probably be the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neymar/of-course-messi-could-handle-a-cold-tuesday-night-in-stoke-he-d-be/) [Neymar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neymar/) > [This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day \[as a Fairfax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/this-cold-weather-has-set-all-the-young-folks-to-providing-bedfellows/) [George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [You start playing when it's cold and you want to be playing when it's cold again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimy-williams/you-start-playing-when-it-s-cold-and-you-want-to-be-playing-when-it-s/) Jimy Williams > [It would be a piece of ingenuousness to accuse the man of today of his lack of moral code. The accusation would leave him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ortega-y-gasset/it-would-be-a-piece-of-ingenuousness-to-accuse-the-man-of-today-of/) [Jose Ortega y Gasset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ortega-y-gasset/) > [I would have touched it like a child But knew my finger could but have touched Cold stone and water. I grew wild, Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/i-would-have-touched-it-like-a-child-but-knew-my-finger-could-but/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [What's to become of the morally sound? Left out in the cold, I suppose. We must heal the sick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henrik-ibsen/what-s-to-become-of-the-morally-sound-left-out-in-the-cold-i-suppose/) [Henrik Ibsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henrik-ibsen/) > [When I first started, all the reviews of Cold Chisel would say, 'This singer won't have a voice in six months.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-barnes/when-i-first-started-all-the-reviews-of-cold-chisel-would-say-this/) [Jimmy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-barnes/) > [One of the problems trying to play an instrument outside in the cold is your fingers give up on you and you can't wear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-macdonald/one-of-the-problems-trying-to-play-an-instrument-outside-in-the-cold/) [Amy Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-macdonald/) > [God tempers the cold to the shorn sheep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-etienne-sainte-claire-deville/god-tempers-the-cold-to-the-shorn-sheep/) Henri Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville > [Those nights lying alone are not discontinuous with this cold hectic dawn. It is who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-carson/those-nights-lying-alone-are-not-discontinuous-with-this-cold-hectic/) [Anne Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-carson/) [Browse all 5,381 Cold quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The metaphor I routinely use is polar bears in the Sahara desert. You take creatures adapted to the cold and put them in the heat, the very traits that allow them to survive in one environment will conspire against them in the other. We are polar bears in the Sahara with one important distinction: we are smarter than the average bear. Once we identify the nature of the problem, we can think our way out of it. But it begins by acknowledging you didn't fail because you couldn't succeed. Because you didn't even know what the scope of the problem was. 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