--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Negative? Moi? I think realistic might be…" description: "\"Negative? Moi? I think realistic might be a better word. You mean to tell me we can drive all the way here from L.A. and see maybe ten thousand square ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/douglas-coupland-305_cuckoos_negative-moi-i-think-realistic-might-be_34281.jpg" --- # Negative? Moi? I think realistic might be a better word… ![“Negative? Moi? I think realistic might be a better word. You mean to tell me we can drive all the way here from L.A. and see maybe ten thousand square miles of shopping malls, and you don't have maybe just the weentsiest inkling that something, somewhere has gone very very cuckoo?” quote by Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/douglas-coupland-305_cuckoos_negative-moi-i-think-realistic-might-be_34281.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/douglas-coupland-305_cuckoos_negative-moi-i-think-realistic-might-be_34281.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85e/douglas-coupland-305_cuckoos_negative-moi-i-think-realistic-might-be_34281.jpg) > “Negative? Moi? I think realistic might be a better word. You mean to tell me we can drive all the way here from L.A. and see maybe ten thousand square miles of shopping malls, and you don't have maybe just the weentsiest inkling that something, somewhere has gone very very cuckoo?” [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A sarcastic critique of unrealistic expectations, highlighting the absurdity of assuming endless consumerism and chaos can coexist without deeper awareness. **In simple terms:** Satirical warning about blind optimism Key Takeaway Question assumptions about progress Themes consumerism sarcasm reality optimism urban sprawl Mood wry skeptical ironic Type quote observation critique When to use this quote - planning a cross-country road trip - discussing urban development - debating consumer culture Key Concepts illusion of limitless growth cognitive dissonance Practical Applications - critical analysis of marketing claims - educational material on sustainable planning Questions to Reflect On - What hidden costs are ignored in such grand visions? - How does satire reveal societal blind spots? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Malls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malls/) [Shopping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shopping/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I mostly get noticed in shopping malls, airports, red states. The Cheesecake Factory. I am more likely to get stopped in San Antonio or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-joseph/i-mostly-get-noticed-in-shopping-malls-airports-red-states-the/) [Max Joseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-joseph/) > [You want each city to be different, not just see the same shopping malls and stores wherever you go. That's not healthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-lake/you-want-each-city-to-be-different-not-just-see-the-same-shopping/) [Greg Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-lake/) > [Cities may now bulldoze private citizens' homes, farms and small businesses to make way for shopping malls or other developments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goodlatte/cities-may-now-bulldoze-private-citizens-homes-farms-and-small/) [Bob Goodlatte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goodlatte/) > [Shopping malls are liquid TVs for the end of the twentieth century. A whole micro-circuitry of desire, ideology and expenditure for processed bodies drifting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-kroker/shopping-malls-are-liquid-tvs-for-the-end-of-the-twentieth-century-a/) [Arthur Kroker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-kroker/) > [Doing a mall is not only construction of the physical place: what is important is the merchandising mix. We strive to serve the convenience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-sy/doing-a-mall-is-not-only-construction-of-the-physical-place-what-is/) [Henry Sy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-sy/) > [The most important fact about our shopping malls, as distinct from the ordinary shopping centers where we go for our groceries, is that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fairlie/the-most-important-fact-about-our-shopping-malls-as-distinct-from-the/) [Henry Fairlie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fairlie/) > [“A pioneer family lived beyond the reach of shopping malls...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-baxter/a-pioneer-family-lived-beyond-the-reach-of-shopping-malls/) [Stephen Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-baxter/) > [Well morning came, and it dressed the sky in a lovely yellow gown. Shopping malls are opening in that narrow hallway of downtown, filled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/well-morning-came-and-it-dressed-the-sky-in-a-lovely-yellow-gown/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [When I was about nine or 10, I was on a few random talent shows in shopping malls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zara-larsson/when-i-was-about-nine-or-10-i-was-on-a-few-random-talent-shows-in/) [Zara Larsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zara-larsson/) > [I think that what's perceived as punk out in shopping malls or in chain stores or on MTV has almost nothing to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jello-biafra/i-think-that-what-s-perceived-as-punk-out-in-shopping-malls-or-in/) [Jello Biafra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jello-biafra/) > [If we operate with a belief in long sweeps of time, we build cathedrals; if we operate from fiscal quarter to fiscal quarter, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-nachmanovitch/if-we-operate-with-a-belief-in-long-sweeps-of-time-we-build/) [Stephen Nachmanovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-nachmanovitch/) > [I've been going to shopping malls since I was on General Hospital.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-ve-been-going-to-shopping-malls-since-i-was-on-general-hospital/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [We used to build civilizations. Now we build shopping malls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/we-used-to-build-civilizations-now-we-build-shopping-malls/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [I love consumerism, TV culture, shopping malls. There's nothing I'd ever buy, but I like being there. It's wacky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lydon/i-love-consumerism-tv-culture-shopping-malls-there-s-nothing-i-d-ever/) [John Lydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lydon/) > [The new shopping malls make possible the synthesis of all consumer activities, not least of which are shopping, flirting with objects, idle wandering, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/the-new-shopping-malls-make-possible-the-synthesis-of-all-consumer/) [Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/) ## More by Douglas Coupland > [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [A man in a bookstore buys a book on loneliness and every woman in the store hits on him. A woman buys a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/a-man-in-a-bookstore-buys-a-book-on-loneliness-and-every-woman-in-the/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [The future and eternity are two entirely different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/the-future-and-eternity-are-two-entirely-different-things/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Do you remember how you felt at seventeen? I do and I don't (...) Imagine you came from outer space and someone showed you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/do-you-remember-how-you-felt-at-seventeen-i-do-and-i-don-t-imagine/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [You can't fake competence, creativity, or sexual arousal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/you-can-t-fake-competence-creativity-or-sexual-arousal/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“But Dag, for all of his efforts, might as well have been talking to a cat. Our parents’ generation seems neither able nor interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/but-dag-for-all-of-his-efforts-might-as-well-have-been-talking-to-a/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [It was pivotal in making you but you don't remember it. Or do you? Do we understand the events that make us who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/it-was-pivotal-in-making-you-but-you-don-t-remember-it-or-do-you-do/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Your ability to rationalize your own bad deeds makes you believe that the whole world is as amoral as you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/your-ability-to-rationalize-your-own-bad-deeds-makes-you-believe-that/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“I like to go beach-combing, and I like to find interestingly shaped rocks. When I really get into the groove I start finding beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-like-to-go-beach-combing-and-i-like-to-find-interestingly-shaped/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“You know, Dag and Claire smile a lot, as do many people I know. But I always wondered if there is something either mechanical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/you-know-dag-and-claire-smile-a-lot-as-do-many-people-i-know-but-i/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Brain research tells us that only twenty percent of human beings have a sense of irony, which means that eighty percent of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/brain-research-tells-us-that-only-twenty-percent-of-human-beings-have/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [I keep vampire hours, going to bed at 2 A.M. and waking up at about 10:30-11 A.M.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-keep-vampire-hours-going-to-bed-at-2-a-m-and-waking-up-at-about-10/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“Anna-Louise leans over and whispers in my ear. "This is so surreal," she says, "I think I'm turning into a melting clock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/anna-louise-leans-over-and-whispers-in-my-ear-this-is-so-surreal-she/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [When you grow up these days, you're told you're going to have four or five different careers during your lifetime. But what they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/when-you-grow-up-these-days-you-re-told-you-re-going-to-have-four-or/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [We want our idols to be dead because it makes death a much less scary place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/we-want-our-idols-to-be-dead-because-it-makes-death-a-much-less-scary/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) [Explore all 704 Douglas Coupland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) ## More Cuckoos quotes > [One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is a movie that I just find flawless. Jack Nicholson... I just saw 'The Shining' again the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-biehn/one-flew-over-the-cuckoo-s-nest-is-a-movie-that-i-just-find-flawless/) [Michael Biehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-biehn/) > [The merry cuckow, messenger of Spring, His trumpet shrill hath thrice already sounded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/the-merry-cuckow-messenger-of-spring-his-trumpet-shrill-hath-thrice/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [It seems like cloud cuckoo land. If anyone is suggesting that I would go to Parliament and suggest the abolition of the Pound Sterling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/it-seems-like-cloud-cuckoo-land-if-anyone-is-suggesting-that-i-would/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [We ought never to sport with pain and distress in any of our amusements, or treat even the meanest insect with wanton cruelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-blair/we-ought-never-to-sport-with-pain-and-distress-in-any-of-our/) [Hugh Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-blair/) > [The beauty of a cuckoo is in its notes, that of a woman in her unalloyed devotion to her husband, that of an ugly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-beauty-of-a-cuckoo-is-in-its-notes-that-of-a-woman-in-her/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [I'm kind of like one of those people that picks up small and interesting bits of wood and doesn't want to let go of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-strummer/i-m-kind-of-like-one-of-those-people-that-picks-up-small-and/) [Joe Strummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-strummer/) > [We were surprised how closely the cuckoo imitated the clock-and yet, of course, it could never have heard a clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/we-were-surprised-how-closely-the-cuckoo-imitated-the-clock-and-yet/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Did I ever tell you,’ said Lymond pausing on the afterthought, on his way to the flap, ‘that that aunt of mine once hatched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/did-i-ever-tell-you-said-lymond-pausing-on-the-afterthought-on-his/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [In Italy, for 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/in-italy-for-30-years-under-the-borgias-they-had-warfare-terror/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [The first cuckoo's melancholy cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/the-first-cuckoo-s-melancholy-cry/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [The belief that you have a great idea is not worth cuckoo spit. Ideas are ten a penny while the ability to execute counts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/the-belief-that-you-have-a-great-idea-is-not-worth-cuckoo-spit-ideas/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I loved the movie theater so I always saw a lot of movies. And then there was a play, I saw in the local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-o-neill/i-loved-the-movie-theater-so-i-always-saw-a-lot-of-movies-and-then/) [Ed O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-o-neill/) > [Anyone who thinks cryptozoology is the study of the impossible has never really taken a very good look at the so-called "natural world." Once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/anyone-who-thinks-cryptozoology-is-the-study-of-the-impossible-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Human society is based on want. Life is based on want. Wild-eyed visionaries may dream of a world without need. Cloud-cuckoo-land. It can't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells/human-society-is-based-on-want-life-is-based-on-want-wild-eyed/) [H. G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells/) > [Even in Kyoto/Hearing the cuckoo's cry/I long for Kyoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-in-kyoto-hearing-the-cuckoo-s-cry-i-long-for-kyoto/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 81 Cuckoos quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Negative? Moi? I think realistic might be a better word. 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