Nobody knows Quote by Louis Jenkins
““Some objects seem to disappear immediately while others never want to leave. Here is a small black plastic gizmo with a serious demeanor that turns up regularly, like a politician at public functions. It seems to be an "integral part," a kind of switch with screw holes so that it can be attached to something larger. Nobody knows what. This thing's use has been forgotten but it looks so important that no one is willing to throw it in the trash. It survives by bluff, like certain insects that escape being eaten because of their formidable appearance.””
About This Quote
A mysterious, seemingly important object is kept despite its unknown purpose, valued for its appearance and perceived function.
In simple terms: An odd gadget is kept because it looks important, even though no one knows its use.
Key Takeaway
Question objects for their perceived importance.
Themes
curiosity
appearance
value
obscurity
Mood
intrigued
reflective
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- collecting odd items
- office décor
- museum curation
- archaeological study
Key Concepts
perception
symbolism
social behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we preserve things we don’t understand?
- What does this say about status symbols?
A Different Perspective
The object's true function may be irrelevant to its perceived value.
![“[Barack Obama] will spend long periods of time explaining to people why he won't use it. At the end of the explanation, nobody knows why he still won't use it because the explanation is no good. And I mean, honestly we have a president that in my opinion really doesn't know what he's doing.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eb3/donald-trump-18_barack_barack-obama-will-spend-long-periods-of_29283.jpg)
