--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Morrow […] felt that OASIS had evolved…" description: "\"“Morrow […] felt that OASIS had evolved into something horrible. ”It had become a self-imposed prison for humanity. A pleasant place for the world to h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f9/ernest-cline-1857_human-civilization_morrow-felt-that-oasis-had-evolved-into_878246.png" --- # Morrow \[…\] felt that OASIS had evolved into something… ![“Morrow […] felt that OASIS had evolved into something horrible. ”It had become a self-imposed prison for humanity. A pleasant place for the world to hide from its problems while human civilization slowly collapses, primarily due to neglect.” quote by Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f9/ernest-cline-1857_human-civilization_morrow-felt-that-oasis-had-evolved-into_878246.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f9/ernest-cline-1857_human-civilization_morrow-felt-that-oasis-had-evolved-into_878246.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f9/ernest-cline-1857_human-civilization_morrow-felt-that-oasis-had-evolved-into_878246.png) > ““Morrow \[…\] felt that OASIS had evolved into something horrible. ”It had become a self-imposed prison for humanity. A pleasant place for the world to hide from its problems while human civilization slowly collapses, primarily due to neglect.”” [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The virtual world becomes a comforting escape that isolates humanity, turning it into a self‑imposed prison while real problems worsen. **In simple terms:** Escapes can trap us. Key Takeaway Balance virtual and real responsibilities. Themes technology escape humanity neglect Mood cautionary thought‑provoking Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - gaming - social media - political disengagement - environmental neglect Key Concepts virtual reality societal decay Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay grounded while using tech? - What real‑world issues need your attention? A Different Perspective Overreliance on escapism can hinder real progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Human civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-civilization/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Oasis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oasis/) ## Related quotes > [“To be honest, the future doesn’t look too bright. You were born at a pretty crappy time in history. And it looks like things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/to-be-honest-the-future-doesn-t-look-too-bright-you-were-born-at-a/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Anonymity was one of the major perks of the OASIS.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/anonymity-was-one-of-the-major-perks-of-the-oasis/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I created the OASIS because I never felt at home in the real world. I didn't know how to connect with the people there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-created-the-oasis-because-i-never-felt-at-home-in-the-real-world-i-2/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I created the OASIS because I never felt at home in the real world. I didn't know how to connect with the people there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-created-the-oasis-because-i-never-felt-at-home-in-the-real-world-i/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“It occurred to me then that for the first time in as long as I could remember, I had absolutely no desire to log…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/it-occurred-to-me-then-that-for-the-first-time-in-as-long-as-i-could/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [...now that everyone could vote from home, via the OASIS, the only people who could get elected were movie stars, reality TV personalities, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/now-that-everyone-could-vote-from-home-via-the-oasis-the-only-people/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [If we don't change, if the egoic consciousness continues, I don't believe that humanity as a species can survive, or at least human civilization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/if-we-don-t-change-if-the-egoic-consciousness-continues-i-don-t/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“The world was in truth made of jackstraws. The world was very combustible, the human body was partible in ways heretofore unimagined. What held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulette-jiles/the-world-was-in-truth-made-of-jackstraws-the-world-was-very/) [Paulette Jiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulette-jiles/) > [Our carbon emissions have to eventually go to zero. We have to. Otherwise we're never going to have a stable climate and that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hayhoe/our-carbon-emissions-have-to-eventually-go-to-zero-we-have-to/) [Katharine Hayhoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hayhoe/) > [“Suppose two thousand years ago, or even earlier, humanity learned that an alien invasion fleet would arrive a few thousand years later. What would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/suppose-two-thousand-years-ago-or-even-earlier-humanity-learned-that/) [Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/) > [“Should continual economic growth be the predominant model, the highest purpose of human civilization? Continual growth is one characteristic of cancer that eventually destroys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-gerber-jr/should-continual-economic-growth-be-the-predominant-model-the-highest/) [Alex Gerber Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-gerber-jr/) > [“In God's scheme what is a few billion years here and there. Perhaps there have come and gone a dozen human civilizations in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-uris/in-god-s-scheme-what-is-a-few-billion-years-here-and-there-perhaps/) [Leon Uris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-uris/) > [Radicals, on the other hand, want to advance from the jungle of laissez-faire capitalism to a world worthy of the name of human civilization.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/radicals-on-the-other-hand-want-to-advance-from-the-jungle-of-laissez/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [“the highest monuments of human civilization accept its ironies and lend their eternity to its mischievous pranks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/the-highest-monuments-of-human-civilization-accept-its-ironies-and/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“It’s the microscopic parasite that causes malaria. Nearly half of all human deaths in recorded history have been caused by this invisible assassin. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wong/it-s-the-microscopic-parasite-that-causes-malaria-nearly-half-of-all/) [David Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wong/) ## More by Ernest Cline > [“Halliday’s favorites, like WarGames, Ghostbusters, Real Genius, Better Off Dead, or Revenge of the Nerds”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/halliday-s-favorites-like-wargames-ghostbusters-real-genius-better/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Ray seemed to subsist primarily on a diet of high-fructose junk food and old videogames. It was hard not to love the guy. Back”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/ray-seemed-to-subsist-primarily-on-a-diet-of-high-fructose-junk-food/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Besides, what if BSG and Firefly took place in the same universe? You ever consider that?” I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/besides-what-if-bsg-and-firefly-took-place-in-the-same-universe-you/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [My characters are all kind of geek archetypes of people I've encountered at gaming and comic book conventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/my-characters-are-all-kind-of-geek-archetypes-of-people-i-ve/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“I understood her, trusted her, and loved her as a dear friend. None of that had changed, or could be changed by anything as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-understood-her-trusted-her-and-loved-her-as-a-dear-friend-none-of/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Dilettantes,’ Art3mis said. ‘It’s their own fault for not knowing all the Schoolhouse Rock! lyrics by heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/dilettantes-art3mis-said-it-s-their-own-fault-for-not-knowing-all-the/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“I fired a last volley of plasma bolts at the unprotected enemy ship, which was already vibrating from the buildup of power in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-fired-a-last-volley-of-plasma-bolts-at-the-unprotected-enemy-ship/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I've heard Stephen King say that when you write a novel you end up revealing everything about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-ve-heard-stephen-king-say-that-when-you-write-a-novel-you-end-up/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [Everybody uses pop culture as a shorthand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/everybody-uses-pop-culture-as-a-shorthand/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Something Daito had left to me in his will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/something-daito-had-left-to-me-in-his-will/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [The clans began to bombard the outer force field with rockets, missiles, nukes, and harsh language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/the-clans-began-to-bombard-the-outer-force-field-with-rockets/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“tried to keep my cool. I tried to remain skeptical. I reminded myself that I was a man of science, even if I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/tried-to-keep-my-cool-i-tried-to-remain-skeptical-i-reminded-myself/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I notice when I'm at a party where I don't know anybody - even if I have nothing in common with somebody - we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-notice-when-i-m-at-a-party-where-i-don-t-know-anybody-even-if-i/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [“Not trusting my instincts any further, I loaded up a piece of high-end avatar dance software called Travoltra, which I’d downloaded and tested earlier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/not-trusting-my-instincts-any-further-i-loaded-up-a-piece-of-high-end/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) > [I burned through all of my extra lives in a matter of minutes, and my two least-favorite words appeared on the screen: GAME OVER.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-cline/i-burned-through-all-of-my-extra-lives-in-a-matter-of-minutes-and-my/) [Ernest Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) [Explore all 184 Ernest Cline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-cline/) ## More Human civilization quotes > [“It’s the microscopic parasite that causes malaria. Nearly half of all human deaths in recorded history have been caused by this invisible assassin. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wong/it-s-the-microscopic-parasite-that-causes-malaria-nearly-half-of-all/) [David Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wong/) > [“the highest monuments of human civilization accept its ironies and lend their eternity to its mischievous pranks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/the-highest-monuments-of-human-civilization-accept-its-ironies-and/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Radicals, on the other hand, want to advance from the jungle of laissez-faire capitalism to a world worthy of the name of human civilization.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/radicals-on-the-other-hand-want-to-advance-from-the-jungle-of-laissez/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [If we don't change, if the egoic consciousness continues, I don't believe that humanity as a species can survive, or at least human civilization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/if-we-don-t-change-if-the-egoic-consciousness-continues-i-don-t/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“In God's scheme what is a few billion years here and there. Perhaps there have come and gone a dozen human civilizations in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-uris/in-god-s-scheme-what-is-a-few-billion-years-here-and-there-perhaps/) [Leon Uris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-uris/) > [“Should continual economic growth be the predominant model, the highest purpose of human civilization? Continual growth is one characteristic of cancer that eventually destroys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-gerber-jr/should-continual-economic-growth-be-the-predominant-model-the-highest/) [Alex Gerber Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-gerber-jr/) > [“Suppose two thousand years ago, or even earlier, humanity learned that an alien invasion fleet would arrive a few thousand years later. What would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/suppose-two-thousand-years-ago-or-even-earlier-humanity-learned-that/) [Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/) > [Our carbon emissions have to eventually go to zero. We have to. Otherwise we're never going to have a stable climate and that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hayhoe/our-carbon-emissions-have-to-eventually-go-to-zero-we-have-to/) [Katharine Hayhoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hayhoe/) > [“The world was in truth made of jackstraws. The world was very combustible, the human body was partible in ways heretofore unimagined. What held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulette-jiles/the-world-was-in-truth-made-of-jackstraws-the-world-was-very/) [Paulette Jiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulette-jiles/) > [“The vastness of possibilities in space reminded me that while my life felt important, it was tiny in the scheme of things. Human civilization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-madow/the-vastness-of-possibilities-in-space-reminded-me-that-while-my-life/) [Michelle Madow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-madow/) > [The challenge for America is: can we become a multicultural, multiracial democracy? It would be historic. It would be America's greatest contribution to human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ro-khanna/the-challenge-for-america-is-can-we-become-a-multicultural/) [Ro Khanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ro-khanna/) > [“All of human civilization, he says, is basically a result of immortality projects: the cities and governments and structures and authorities in place today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/all-of-human-civilization-he-says-is-basically-a-result-of/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [Please, never despise the translator. He's the mailman of human civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pushkin/please-never-despise-the-translator-he-s-the-mailman-of-human/) [Alexander Pushkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pushkin/) > [I think almost everything about humans and human civilization is explained better by evolution than anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naval-ravikant/i-think-almost-everything-about-humans-and-human-civilization-is/) [Naval Ravikant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naval-ravikant/) > [Government has never increased the standard of living of one single human being in civilization's history. For some reason that simple truth has evaded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-wynn/government-has-never-increased-the-standard-of-living-of-one-single/) [Steve Wynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-wynn/) [Browse all 146 Human civilization quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-civilization/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Morrow […] felt that OASIS had evolved into something horrible. ”It had become a self-imposed prison for humanity. 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