--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: IT CAN BE STARTLING TO SEE SOMEONE¹S…" description: "\"“IT CAN BE STARTLING TO SEE SOMEONE¹S BREATH, LET ALONE THE BREATHING OF A CROWD. YOU USUALLY DON¹T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE EXTEND THAT FAR.”\" — Jenny Holzer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/755/jenny-holzer-3328_startling_it-can-be-startling-to-see-someone-s-bre_877488.png" --- # IT CAN BE STARTLING TO SEE SOMEONE¹S BREATH, LET ALONE THE… ![“IT CAN BE STARTLING TO SEE SOMEONE¹S BREATH, LET ALONE THE BREATHING OF A CROWD. YOU USUALLY DON¹T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE EXTEND THAT FAR.” quote by Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/755/jenny-holzer-3328_startling_it-can-be-startling-to-see-someone-s-bre_877488.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/755/jenny-holzer-3328_startling_it-can-be-startling-to-see-someone-s-bre_877488.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/755/jenny-holzer-3328_startling_it-can-be-startling-to-see-someone-s-bre_877488.png) > ““IT CAN BE STARTLING TO SEE SOMEONE¹S BREATH, LET ALONE THE BREATHING OF A CROWD. YOU USUALLY DON¹T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE EXTEND THAT FAR.”” [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Observing an individual's breath is startling; realizing a crowd's collective breathing is even more overwhelming. **In simple terms:** Seeing a crowd breathe is astonishing. Key Takeaway Appreciate the scale of shared humanity. Themes empathy humanity scale perception public art Mood awe thoughtful introspective Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - crowd management - health monitoring - performance art - education Key Concepts collective consciousness sensory awareness social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What does the breath of a crowd symbolize for you? - How does this awareness affect your sense of community? A Different Perspective Some may find the statement abstract without context. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I remember being shocked when I came out from under the focusing cloth after a minute or two being submerged within that, at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sexton/i-remember-being-shocked-when-i-came-out-from-under-the-focusing/) [John Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sexton/) > [First. 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What did it mean? Could things thrust their hands up and grip one; could the blade cut; the fist grasp?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/what-was-it-then-what-did-it-mean-could-things-thrust-their-hands-up/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [It has become apparent that art can have a startling impact without really being or saying anything startling — or new. 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