Air Quote by P. J. O'Rourke
“I'm old enough to remember when the air over American cities was a lot dirtier than it is now.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Age of the Internet” in “Oranges and Lemons”, 2006
The author reflects nostalgically on past urban air pollution, implying that environmental quality has improved over time.
In simple terms: Remember when city air was much dirtier; now it’s cleaner.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate environmental progress.
Themes
environment
nostalgia
urban change
Mood
thoughtful
optimistic
Type
observational
reflective
When to use this quote
- city planning
- environmental advocacy
- historical comparison
Key Concepts
air quality
public health
policy impact
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors contributed to cleaner air?
- Are there new pollutants we overlook?
A Different Perspective
Improvements may be uneven across regions.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)