--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [voiceover on the phone continued from…" description: "\"[voiceover on the phone continued from the beginning; intercut with some live-action dialogue] The permutations were endless. They tried again going to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/primer-127574_communication_voiceover-on-the-phone-continued-from-th_548875.jpg" --- # \[voiceover on the phone continued from the beginning… ![“[voiceover on the phone continued from the beginning; intercut with some live-action dialogue] The permutations were endless. They tried again going to the source, but even while keeping them separated from Abe by two rooms, Thomas Granger's condition could only be described as vegetative. From…” quote by Primer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/primer-127574_communication_voiceover-on-the-phone-continued-from-th_548875.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/primer-127574_communication_voiceover-on-the-phone-continued-from-th_548875.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/978/primer-127574_communication_voiceover-on-the-phone-continued-from-th_548875.jpg) > “\[voiceover on the phone continued from the beginning; intercut with some live-action dialogue\] The permutations were endless. They tried again going to the source, but even while keeping them separated from Abe by two rooms, Thomas Granger's condition could only be described as vegetative. From this, they deduced that the problem was recursive; but, beyond that, found themselves admitting, against their own nature, and once again, that the answer was unknowable. The question should have been what to do with the comatose man in the guest bedroom, but in Abe's mind, he was already compiling the list. -Aaron (from the movie Primer)” [Primer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/primer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The recursive problem of a comatose subject leads to endless speculation, showing limits of knowledge and the need for ethical decisions. **In simple terms:** Infinite loops reveal unknown answers, demanding ethical choice. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty, act responsibly. Themes Science Ethics Uncertainty Recursion Medical Decision making Philosophy Film Mood tense thoughtful ethical Type Communication:0 Continued:0 Question:1 Granger:0 Question Comatose:1 Granger Condition:0 When to use this quote - clinical practice - policy - public discourse Key Concepts Bioethics Narrative analysis Critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What ethical duties arise with unknown outcomes? - How do we act amid scientific limits? A Different Perspective Solutions may be unattainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Continued](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/continued/) [Granger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/granger-555888/) [Granger Condition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/granger-condition-4573692/) [Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question/) [Question Comatose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-comatose-4573690/) ## Related quotes > [“He grinned, and right then it occurred to him that he hadn't enjoyed himself so much with a woman in a very long time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/he-grinned-and-right-then-it-occurred-to-him-that-he-hadn-t-enjoyed/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [Hermione Granger is the mix of brain and heart that I've always wanted to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-scrofano/hermione-granger-is-the-mix-of-brain-and-heart-that-i-ve-always/) [Melanie Scrofano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-scrofano/) > [“She was straight out of the Tracy Flick and Hermione Granger School for Smarty Pantsing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-canterbary/she-was-straight-out-of-the-tracy-flick-and-hermione-granger-school/) [Kate Canterbary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-canterbary/) > [“As she entered and locked eyes with Mr Vaughn Granger for only the second time ever, she was aware of two things; one, coming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-reyner/as-she-entered-and-locked-eyes-with-mr-vaughn-granger-for-only-the/) [Jade Reyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-reyner/) > [I must admit that I was in total awe of Stewart Granger. 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People who fought their way in and then continued fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/america-is-a-country-of-fighters-people-who-fought-their-way-in-and/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [I'm just trying to touch the world and touch the people and just get good material. And show them that we can get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-m-just-trying-to-touch-the-world-and-touch-the-people-and-just-get/) [Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/) > [“the shadows. “Why do you think they invented chess?” “He’s got you there,” said the captain, following Fletcher. 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They tried again going to the source, but even while keeping them separated from Abe by two rooms, Thomas Granger's condition could only be described as vegetative. From this, they deduced that the problem was recursive; but, beyond that, found themselves admitting, against their own nature, and once again, that the answer was unknowable. 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