Air Quote by Douglas Adams
“Come on,” he droned, “I’ve been ordered to take you down to the bridge. Here I am, brain the size of a planet and they ask me to take you down to the bridge. Call that job satisfaction? ’Cos I don’t.” He turned and walked back to the hated door. “Er, excuse me,” said Ford following after him, “which government owns this ship?” Marvin ignored him. “You watch this door,” he muttered, “it’s about to open again. I can tell by the intolerable air of smugness it suddenly generates.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams, 1979
A bureaucratic, absurd task highlights the absurdity of assigning meaning to meaningless duties.
In simple terms: Even grand tasks can be absurd and pointless.
Key Takeaway
Question the purpose behind assigned duties.
Themes
absurdity
bureaucracy
meaninglessness
Mood
wry
thoughtful
Type
satirical
literary
When to use this quote
- workplace
- government
- personal goals
- creative projects
Key Concepts
existentialism
satire
authority critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we accept absurd tasks?
- How can you find meaning in absurdity?
A Different Perspective
The humor may downplay real frustration with meaningless work.
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