---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was very important thousands of years…"
description: "\"It was very important thousands of years ago to categorize things. I can eat that plant, I can't eat that plant. Or this tribe, not that tribe. We don'..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcc/keegan-michael-key-9705_categorize_it-was-very-important-thousands-of-years_338135.jpg"
---

#  It was very important thousands of years ago to categorize…

![“It was very important thousands of years ago to categorize things. I can eat that plant, I can't eat that plant. Or this tribe, not that tribe. We don't have to do that anymore - we have processed food now!” quote by Keegan-Michael Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcc/keegan-michael-key-9705_categorize_it-was-very-important-thousands-of-years_338135.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcc/keegan-michael-key-9705_categorize_it-was-very-important-thousands-of-years_338135.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcc/keegan-michael-key-9705_categorize_it-was-very-important-thousands-of-years_338135.jpg)

> “It was very important thousands of years ago to categorize things. I can eat that plant, I can't eat that plant. Or this tribe, not that tribe. We don't have to do that anymore - we have processed food now!”

[Keegan-Michael Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-michael-key/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The joke highlights how ancient categorization was vital, but modern food processing makes it obsolete.

**In simple terms:** Old classification mattered; now processed food changes that.

Key Takeaway

Recognize progress, question outdated habits.

Themes

progress food culture classification

Mood

humorous critical

Type

satirical observational

When to use this quote

- dietary choices
- food labeling
- cultural critique
- modern eating habits

Key Concepts

anthropology nutrition technology

Questions to Reflect On

- How does technology reshape our food decisions?
- What old habits persist despite progress?

A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex food systems.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant/) [Processed food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/processed-food/) [Tribe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tribe/) [Tribes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tribes/)

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> [I don't know why people have to categorize things in music under music. It's music and it's music and it's music. When you start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-carlile/i-don-t-know-why-people-have-to-categorize-things-in-music-under/)

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[Explore all 70 Keegan-Michael Key quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-michael-key/)

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Browse all 46 Categorize quotes

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