Appreciated Quote by Galway Kinnell
“The only sense we still respect is eyesight, probably because it is so closely attached to the brain. Go into any American house at random, you will find something - a plastic flower, false tiles, some imitation something - something which can be appreciated as material only if apprehended by eyesight alone. Don't we go sightseeing in cars, thinking we can experience a landscape by looking at it through glass?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Blindness of Modern Life, 1975
The quote critiques how we rely on visual perception to value objects, neglecting other senses and deeper understanding.
In simple terms: We judge things mainly by sight, missing richer experiences.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate awareness beyond sight.
Themes
perception
materialism
modernity
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- urban living
- interior design
- travel
- consumer culture
Key Concepts
sensory limitation
visual dominance
Questions to Reflect On
- How might you experience a space using other senses?
- What does sight alone miss in appreciating art?
A Different Perspective
Visual focus can overlook emotional or intellectual value.
![“One of the reasons they [the Japanese] have bad eyesight is probably these microscopic characters [furigana] which have many lines and strokes to them.& We wonder why they went mad and bombed Pearl Harbor when they knew they couldn't win. That [the Japanese language] would be a reason.” quote by L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/052/l-ron-hubbard-881_character_one-of-the-reasons-they-the-japanese-hav_3216431.jpg)
