--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But spending too much time in the human…" description: "\"“But spending too much time in the human world does strange things to them. Perhaps it is the amount of iron and technology that is so fatal to their e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/julie-kagawa-241_cease-to-exist_but-spending-too-much-time-in-the-human_1254907.png" --- # But spending too much time in the human world does strange… ![“But spending too much time in the human world does strange things to them. Perhaps it is the amount of iron and technology that is so fatal to their existence. They start to lose themselves, a little at a time, until they are only shadows of their former selves, empty husks covered in glamour to…” quote by Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/julie-kagawa-241_cease-to-exist_but-spending-too-much-time-in-the-human_1254907.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/julie-kagawa-241_cease-to-exist_but-spending-too-much-time-in-the-human_1254907.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3cd/julie-kagawa-241_cease-to-exist_but-spending-too-much-time-in-the-human_1254907.png) > ““But spending too much time in the human world does strange things to them. Perhaps it is the amount of iron and technology that is so fatal to their existence. They start to lose themselves, a little at a time, until they are only shadows of their former selves, empty husks covered in glamour to make them look real. Eventually, they simply cease to exist.”” [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excessive reliance on technology and materialism erodes humanity, turning people into hollow, image‑driven shells. **In simple terms:** Tech overload empties humanity. Key Takeaway Balance technology with authentic self. Themes technology humanity materialism Mood cautionary thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - social media use - urban living - personal identity Key Concepts existential loss digital addiction Questions to Reflect On - How does technology affect your sense of self? - What practices preserve authenticity in a digital age? A Different Perspective Not all tech is harmful; moderation matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cease to exist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cease-to-exist/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Shadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadows/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Time has no meaning in the wyldwood. Day and night don't really exist here, just light and darkness, and they can be as fickle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/time-has-no-meaning-in-the-wyldwood-day-and-night-don-t-really-exist/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [I love the stories of changelings and the thought that the Fey were these ancient, capricious creatures who were tricky and dangerous. I've always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/i-love-the-stories-of-changelings-and-the-thought-that-the-fey-were/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Glitter and streamers of light swirled around us, and a chorus of tiny voices sang out a single note. I winced, knowing there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/glitter-and-streamers-of-light-swirled-around-us-and-a-chorus-of-tiny/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Their world will eat at you," Mab said. "Strip you away bit by bit. Cut off from the Nevernever, you will not survive. Whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/their-world-will-eat-at-you-mab-said-strip-you-away-bit-by-bit-cut/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [I don't wish to inhabit the human world under false pretences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-frame/i-don-t-wish-to-inhabit-the-human-world-under-false-pretences/) [Janet Frame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-frame/) > [“The world, the human world, is bound together not by protons and electrons, but by stories.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-morton/the-world-the-human-world-is-bound-together-not-by-protons-and/) [Brian Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-morton/) > [“If the Niess were merely human, the world built on their inhumanity would fall apart. So… they made us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/if-the-niess-were-merely-human-the-world-built-on-their-inhumanity/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [“Truth in the human world, is constructed, defined and then reconstructed by the human self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/truth-in-the-human-world-is-constructed-defined-and-then/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I believe that the destructive nature of society that now threatens the existence of the entire human world has much to do with human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-believe-that-the-destructive-nature-of-society-that-now-threatens/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“Wake up you must, and step up you must, not should, but must, for only then, can an animal world be changed into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/wake-up-you-must-and-step-up-you-must-not-should-but-must-for-only/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Did I live? The human world is like a vast musical instrument on which we play our individual part while simultaneously listening to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/did-i-live-the-human-world-is-like-a-vast-musical-instrument-on-which/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [The human world is made of stories, not people. The people the stories use to tell themselves are not to be blamed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/the-human-world-is-made-of-stories-not-people-the-people-the-stories/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [I don't want to inhabit the human world under false pretenses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-frame/i-don-t-want-to-inhabit-the-human-world-under-false-pretenses/) [Janet Frame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-frame/) > [Trouble makes us one with every human being in the world - and unless we touch others, we're out of touch with life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/trouble-makes-us-one-with-every-human-being-in-the-world-and-unless/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the course of our eternal existence, we spend infinitely more time in the spirit world on the other side than we spend in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/in-the-course-of-our-eternal-existence-we-spend-infinitely-more-time/) [Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/) ## More by Julie Kagawa > [“Ash,” Mab crooned as he drew near. “My poor boy. Rowan told me what happened between the two of you, but I know you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ash-mab-crooned-as-he-drew-near-my-poor-boy-rowan-told-me-what/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“As Annwyl turned away, Keirran rose swiftly, not touching her but very close. "I'm not afraid of exile," he said quietly, and the Summer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/as-annwyl-turned-away-keirran-rose-swiftly-not-touching-her-but-very/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“The nurse whirled and fixed him with a gimlet eye. “You—” she began, then threw her hands up. “Go get ready, idiot. You’ve been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/the-nurse-whirled-and-fixed-him-with-a-gimlet-eye-you-she-began-then/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Don't worry too much about him, Meghan. Robin Goodfellow has always been extra-ordinarily difficult to kill." -Ash”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/don-t-worry-too-much-about-him-meghan-robin-goodfellow-has-always/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Oh, come on. I want to see the big-spiky-ball thing." "You do not need a flail." Kanin scowled, as though imagining what I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/oh-come-on-i-want-to-see-the-big-spiky-ball-thing-you-do-not-need-a/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Ruth's mouth dropped open, her delicate face contorting in outrage. 'Steal? How dare you! I don't steal!' 'That's good,' I went on, smirking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ruth-s-mouth-dropped-open-her-delicate-face-contorting-in-outrage/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“His forehead bumped softly against mine, his brilliant silver gaze searing into me. "I plan to keep you, from everyone, for as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/his-forehead-bumped-softly-against-mine-his-brilliant-silver-gaze/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“So nice to see you, human,” a voice purred from an overhead branch. Grimalkin sniffed, looking from me to Keirran, and smiled. “How amusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/so-nice-to-see-you-human-a-voice-purred-from-an-overhead-branch/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Human?' The girl cocked her head the other way. I caught a glimpse of pink gills under her chin. 'My sisters told me stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/human-the-girl-cocked-her-head-the-other-way-i-caught-a-glimpse-of/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Try Not to bleed so much on the thorns," he said as I jabbed myself in the palm and hissed in pain. "Right Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/try-not-to-bleed-so-much-on-the-thorns-he-said-as-i-jabbed-myself-in/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Ethan stood there, his face blue and wrinkled, his lips pulled into a rictus grin. In one hand, he clutched a butcher knife. Blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ethan-stood-there-his-face-blue-and-wrinkled-his-lips-pulled-into-a/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Care to join me, Goodfellow?” “Oh, ice-boy. A moonlight stroll with you? Do you even have to ask?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/care-to-join-me-goodfellow-oh-ice-boy-a-moonlight-stroll-with-you-do/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“I sagged to my knees as the adrenaline wore off and my muscles started to shake, leaving me weak and nearly hyperventilating. I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/i-sagged-to-my-knees-as-the-adrenaline-wore-off-and-my-muscles/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Without St. George, that balance would tip. Without the Order, there would be nothing to stop Talon and the Elder Wyrm from achieving what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/without-st-george-that-balance-would-tip-without-the-order-there/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [ “This would be so much easier if \[Allie\] hadn't killed the jeep." "For the last time," I growled at \[Jackal\]. "I just pointed out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/this-would-be-so-much-easier-if-allie-hadn-t-killed-the-jeep-for-the/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) [Explore all 789 Julie Kagawa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) ## More Cease to exist quotes > [“In the end, we are left with this painful conundrum: we only need DEI initiatives because we don’t truly have a society that values…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-yako/in-the-end-we-are-left-with-this-painful-conundrum-we-only-need-dei/) [Louis Yako](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-yako/) > [There has always been war. War is raging throughout the world at the present moment. And there is little reason to believe that war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nachtwey/there-has-always-been-war-war-is-raging-throughout-the-world-at-the/) [James Nachtwey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nachtwey/) > [“The eyes are one of the most powerful tools a woman can have. With one look, she can relay the most intimate message. After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-salaiz/the-eyes-are-one-of-the-most-powerful-tools-a-woman-can-have-with-one/) [Jennifer Salaiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-salaiz/) > [The Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-democracy-will-cease-to-exist-when-you-take-away-from-those-who/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Let me say only that these vehicles float a few inches off the ground. No animals draw them. No steam or chemical fuels them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/let-me-say-only-that-these-vehicles-float-a-few-inches-off-the-ground/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [“could change the past and … cease to exist.” “But that’s the nature of risk, isn’t it? You gamble everything on the slenderest of hopes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-kate/could-change-the-past-and-cease-to-exist-but-that-s-the-nature-of/) [Lauren Kate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-kate/) > [Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/honesty-is-the-cornerstone-of-all-success-without-which-confidence/) [Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/) > [ “Tags \[distinctive agent features observable by other agents\] almost always define the network by delimiting the critical interactions, the major connections. Tags acquire this… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-h-holland/tags-distinctive-agent-features-observable-by-other-agents-almost/) John H. Holland > [If we one day cease to exist, what will be remarkable is that we were ever here at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-harkaway/if-we-one-day-cease-to-exist-what-will-be-remarkable-is-that-we-were/) [Nick Harkaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-harkaway/) > [“...Juliana. Should you cease to exist, so would I.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-collins/juliana-should-you-cease-to-exist-so-would-i/) [Kathleen Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-collins/) > [Religion, ideology, resources, land, spite, love or just because¦ No matter how pathetic the reason, its enough to start war. War will never cease…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/religion-ideology-resources-land-spite-love-or-just-because-no-matter/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The Charcoal Sky Sometimes you go to the wrong place, but the right way comes and finds you. It might make you trip over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/the-charcoal-sky-sometimes-you-go-to-the-wrong-place-but-the-right/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“The Dusk follows you as you go through it. If it touches you, you cease to exist, so one wrong turn down a dead-end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/the-dusk-follows-you-as-you-go-through-it-if-it-touches-you-you-cease/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [“She was too compelling to look at directly. Bright like the sun, bright and terrible. Only one other being could look upon her, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/she-was-too-compelling-to-look-at-directly-bright-like-the-sun-bright/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [There are in France some fifty thousand young men of good birth and fairly well off who are encouraged to live a life of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-de-maupassant/there-are-in-france-some-fifty-thousand-young-men-of-good-birth-and/) [Guy de Maupassant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-de-maupassant/) [Browse all 215 Cease to exist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cease-to-exist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But spending too much time in the human world does strange things to them. Perhaps it is the amount of iron and technology that is so fatal to their existence. 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