Desire Quote by Rutger Bregman
“As a species of animal that evolved to make connections and work together, it feels strange to suppress our desire for contact. People enjoy touching each other, and find joy in seeing each other in person - but now we have to keep our physical distance.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Humankind: A Hopeful History, 2020
Humans are wired for connection, making physical distancing psychologically challenging and socially costly.
In simple terms: People need contact; distancing feels unnatural.
Key Takeaway
Find safe ways to maintain social bonds.
Themes
social connection
human nature
psychology
pandemic
well‑being
Mood
empathetic
hopeful
Type
sociological
motivational
When to use this quote
- remote work
- virtual gatherings
- community support
Key Concepts
attachment theory
social resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you foster connection while apart?
- What rituals sustain relationships remotely?
A Different Perspective
Isolation can damage mental health.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
