Intent Quote by John Hockenberry
“An object imbued with intent — it has power, it's treasure, we're drawn to it. An object devoid of intent — it's random, it's imitative, it repels us. It's like a piece of junk mail to be thrown away.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast “The World According to John Hockenberry”, 2015
Objects that carry purpose inspire desire; those without purpose feel meaningless and are rejected.
In simple terms: Purposeful objects attract, purposeless objects repel.
Key Takeaway
Seek meaning in what you create or acquire.
Themes
purpose
desire
meaning
rejection
value
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- product design
- personal belongings
- marketing
- art acquisition
- collecting
Key Concepts
intentionality
symbolism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What purpose does your most valued item serve?
- How does intent shape your attachment to objects?
A Different Perspective
Even purposeful objects can become burdens if overvalued.
![“Design [is] the emerging ethos formulating and then answering a very new question: What shall we do now, in the face of the chaos that we have created?” quote by John Hockenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c9d/john-hockenberry-38019_chaos_design-is-the-emerging-ethos-formulating_2838055.jpg)
