Antiques Quote by Georges Perec
“Force yourself to write down what is of no interest, what is most obvious, most common, most colourless...antique shops, clothes, hi-fi, etc. Don't say, don't write 'etc'. Make an effort to exhaust the subject, even if that seems grotesque, or pointless, or stupid. You still haven't looked at anything, you've merely picked out what you've long ago picked out.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Life: A User's Manual by Georges Perec, 1978
The instruction urges exhaustive observation of mundane details, avoiding shortcuts, to reveal hidden depth in the ordinary.
In simple terms: Observe everything, even the boring parts, without shortcuts.
Key Takeaway
Write fully, even about the trivial.
Themes
observation
detail
creativity
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
analytical
curious
Type
instructional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- journalism
- creative writing
- research
- everyday life
- teaching
Key Concepts
existentialism
phenomenology
literary technique
Questions to Reflect On
- How does exhaustive detail change your perception?
- When is it useful to ignore the obvious?
A Different Perspective
May become tedious and hinder productivity if overdone.
![“It was when Boston invited us to do a parade one November, and I was the only [Star Wars] cast member skeptical of the willingness of people to come out to see us five actors drive by in antique cars in the Boston rain. Well, it was the first time I really understood the show's popularity.” quote by John Ratzenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/098/john-ratzenberger-11869_actors_it-was-when-boston-invited-us-to-do-a-pa_67396.jpg)
