Failure Quote by Evan Dara
““...but now, though, because I have still not gotten there, I feel as if distance- as if distance itself-has developed a density, a viscosity, and that I am pushing against it, that I am fighting distance's density; so I press the pedal, and the car surges, and I attempt to push to the terminus of distance, and when this does not happen and I am still not there I feel as if the tenacity of time will smother me- that I will be smothered by the atrocity of distance, by the painful failure of simultaneity; and I struggle to keep the gas pedal within civilized limits, and I go astride cars and around cars, and I am doused in the unthought thought: Please let me get to him quickly;””
About This Quote
The speaker feels trapped by the increasing resistance of distance and time, perceiving them as dense, viscous forces that impede reaching a desired connection, leading to frustration and a desperate urge for speed.
In simple terms: Distance feels like a thick, oppressive barrier.
Urgency to overcome distance’s weight.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- waiting for a loved one
- traveling under a deadline
- seeking rapid communication
- navigating bureaucratic obstacles
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- accelerating travel plans
- prioritizing time‑sensitive tasks
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perceived distance shape our emotional state?
- What strategies can reduce the feeling of being smothered by time?