--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Environmentalist Paul Hawken, in the 2009…" description: "\"“Environmentalist Paul Hawken, in the 2009 commencement address to the University of Portland, said, “Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a21/paul-j-pastor-69154_astronomy_environmentalist-paul-hawken-in-the-2009_134797.jpg" --- # Environmentalist Paul Hawken, in the 2009 commencement… ![“Environmentalist Paul Hawken, in the 2009 commencement address to the University of Portland, said, “Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would create new religions overnight. We…” quote by Paul J. Pastor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a21/paul-j-pastor-69154_astronomy_environmentalist-paul-hawken-in-the-2009_134797.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a21/paul-j-pastor-69154_astronomy_environmentalist-paul-hawken-in-the-2009_134797.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a21/paul-j-pastor-69154_astronomy_environmentalist-paul-hawken-in-the-2009_134797.jpg) > ““Environmentalist Paul Hawken, in the 2009 commencement address to the University of Portland, said, “Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would create new religions overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God. Instead, the stars come out every night and we watch television.”” Paul J. Pastor ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The rarity of stars would create awe and new religions, but their constant presence leads to complacency and passive entertainment. **In simple terms:** Rare stars would inspire wonder; common stars lead to TV watching. Key Takeaway Seek awe beyond everyday distractions. Themes culture religion technology media human nature Mood critical philosophical Type cultural technological When to use this quote - education - public speaking - media literacy - philosophical discourse Key Concepts existentialism media criticism spiritual yearning technology impact Questions to Reflect On - How can we cultivate awe in daily life? - What role does media play in shaping belief? A Different Perspective Not all media is passive; it can inspire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) [Every night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-night/) [Glory of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory-of-god/) [Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moon/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) ## Related quotes > [“Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/ralph-waldo-emerson-once-asked-what-we-would-do-if-the-stars-only/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. 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Even if you miss it you will land among the stars." ... quote has been credited to Les Brown.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylviek/shoot-for-the-moon-even-if-you-miss-it-you-will-land-among-the-stars/) Sylviek > [When certain stars take you under their wing, it does help as they gauge your potential and are willing to work with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-bhatt/when-certain-stars-take-you-under-their-wing-it-does-help-as-they/) [Vikram Bhatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-bhatt/) > [We were put here as witnesses to the miracle of life. We see the stars, and we want them. We are beholden to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/we-were-put-here-as-witnesses-to-the-miracle-of-life-we-see-the-stars/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [The reason so many of us are obsessed with becoming stars is because we are not yet starring in our own lives. The cosmic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-reason-so-many-of-us-are-obsessed-with-becoming-stars-is-because/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) [Browse all 6,190 Astronomy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronomy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Environmentalist Paul Hawken, in the 2009 commencement address to the University of Portland, said, “Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would create new religions overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God. Instead, the stars come out every night and we watch television.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul J. 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