Horse racing Quote by Neal Shusterman
““In horse racing they put these slats on either side of the horse's head, blocking the creature's peripheral vision. They're called blinders. They don't actually blind the horse, but they allow the horse to see only what's right in front of it; otherwise it might freak out and lose the race. People live with blinders too; but ours are invisible, and much more sophisticated. Most of the time we don't even know they're there. Maybe we need them, though, because if we took in everything all at once, we'd lose our minds. Or worse, our souls. We'd see, we'd hear, we'd feel so deeply that we might never resurface. So we make our decisions and base our lives on those decisions, never realizing we're seeing only one-tenth of the whole. Then we cling to our narrow conclusions like our lives depend on it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Darkest Minds by Neal Shusterman, 2012
We limit our perception to avoid overload, but this creates narrow thinking and blind spots.
In simple terms: Blind spots protect us but also limit understanding.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and expand your perspective.
Themes
perception
focus
mental health
decision making
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- leadership
- creative work
- mental health
- education
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
information overload
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What blinders do you have?
- How can you safely broaden your view?
A Different Perspective
Blinders can also protect from harmful stimuli; removing them may cause distress.
