--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He didn't understand these people. They…" description: "\"“He didn't understand these people. They rushed about blindly, with never a moment to spare. Their cell phones rang, they had to check their e-mail, th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbb/sara-mackenzie-276223_cell-phone_he-didn-t-understand-these-people-they-r_3096928.jpg" --- # He didn't understand these people. They rushed about… ![“He didn't understand these people. They rushed about blindly, with never a moment to spare. Their cell phones rang, they had to check their e-mail, they had to network. Ridiculous words Amy had taught him. She said that they were frightened, that if they stopped rushing, they might have to think…” quote by Sara Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbb/sara-mackenzie-276223_cell-phone_he-didn-t-understand-these-people-they-r_3096928.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbb/sara-mackenzie-276223_cell-phone_he-didn-t-understand-these-people-they-r_3096928.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbb/sara-mackenzie-276223_cell-phone_he-didn-t-understand-these-people-they-r_3096928.jpg) > ““He didn't understand these people. They rushed about blindly, with never a moment to spare. Their cell phones rang, they had to check their e-mail, they had to network. Ridiculous words Amy had taught him. She said that they were frightened, that if they stopped rushing, they might have to think. And if they had to think, then they might realize how empty and pointless their lives were.”” [Sara Mackenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-mackenzie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A critique of modern life’s constant busyness, suggesting that slowing down reveals emptiness and lack of purpose. **In simple terms:** Constant busyness hides emptiness. Key Takeaway Pause to reflect on purpose. Themes technology busyness mindfulness meaning existential Mood critical thoughtful Type fictional monologue social commentary When to use this quote - workplace - social media - personal reflection - urban life Key Concepts digital distraction social pressure existential emptiness Questions to Reflect On - How does constant connectivity affect your sense of purpose? - What can you do to create intentional pauses? A Different Perspective The view may overgeneralize and ignore benefits of connectivity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amy Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amy-taught-5350194/) [Cell phone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cell-phone/) [Cell phones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cell-phones/) [Didn Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/didn-understand/) [Phones Rang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phones-rang-1459630/) [Said Frightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-frightened-2018200/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Words Amy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-amy-5350193/) ## Related quotes > [Phones rang constantly, as if the White House was conducting some kind of pardon telethon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-olson/phones-rang-constantly-as-if-the-white-house-was-conducting-some-kind/) [Barbara Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-olson/) > [“You aren't scared of limes, are you?" asked Charlie. The creature laughed, scornfully. "I," it said, "am frightened of nothing." "Nothing?" "Nothing," it said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-aren-t-scared-of-limes-are-you-asked-charlie-the-creature-laughed/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Aren't you frightened?" Somehow I expected her to say no, to say something wise like a grownup would, or to explain that we can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/aren-t-you-frightened-somehow-i-expected-her-to-say-no-to-say/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“I didn’t sneer!” said Juliana hastily. “I’d no notion you behaved so dreadfully badly to her. You said you forced her aboard your yacht,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/i-didn-t-sneer-said-juliana-hastily-i-d-no-notion-you-behaved-so/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [I went to the doctor. I said to him "I'm frightened of lapels." He said, "You've got cholera."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-vine/i-went-to-the-doctor-i-said-to-him-i-m-frightened-of-lapels-he-said/) [Tim Vine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-vine/) > [Email, instant messaging, and cell phones give us fabulous communication ability, but because we live and work in our own little worlds, that communication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-vos-savant/email-instant-messaging-and-cell-phones-give-us-fabulous/) [Marilyn vos Savant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-vos-savant/) > [I sort of gave up on this whole human adventure a long time ago, divorced myself from it emotionally. It gives me an artistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-sort-of-gave-up-on-this-whole-human-adventure-a-long-time-ago/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I think there's been a gigantic shift in the way we talk to each other, and the way that we communicate with each other.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-swanberg/i-think-there-s-been-a-gigantic-shift-in-the-way-we-talk-to-each/) [Joe Swanberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-swanberg/) > [As the OLPC laptop was getting ready to go into mass production in 2007, many executives approached me wanting the screen that I invented,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-lou-jepsen/as-the-olpc-laptop-was-getting-ready-to-go-into-mass-production-in/) [Mary Lou Jepsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-lou-jepsen/) > [But I'm acutely aware that the possibility of fraud is even more prevalent in today's world because of the Internet and cell phones and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armistead-maupin/but-i-m-acutely-aware-that-the-possibility-of-fraud-is-even-more/) [Armistead Maupin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armistead-maupin/) > [Cell phones are so convenient that they're an inconvenience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/cell-phones-are-so-convenient-that-they-re-an-inconvenience/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [I remember one point seeing I had like 60-some different cell phones. I know I only use one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-kosar/i-remember-one-point-seeing-i-had-like-60-some-different-cell-phones/) [Bernie Kosar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-kosar/) > [“To me, at least in retrospect, the really interesting question is why dullness proves to be such a powerful impediment to attention. Why we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/to-me-at-least-in-retrospect-the-really-interesting-question-is-why/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“Kindle Paperwhite 3G models use the same technology as cell phones, so they are dependent on cellular coverage areas. By default, a 3G device…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amazon/kindle-paperwhite-3g-models-use-the-same-technology-as-cell-phones-so/) [amazon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amazon/) ## More Cell phone quotes > [“What you’re holding in your hands is a BookShots Flames story. It’s part of a revolution in reading. Hand-picked by James Patterson, BookShots Flames…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ciotta/what-you-re-holding-in-your-hands-is-a-bookshots-flames-story-it-s/) [Beth Ciotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ciotta/) > [“Kindle Paperwhite 3G models use the same technology as cell phones, so they are dependent on cellular coverage areas. By default, a 3G device…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amazon/kindle-paperwhite-3g-models-use-the-same-technology-as-cell-phones-so/) [amazon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amazon/) > [“I’m not sure how the ponies happened, though I have an inkling: “Can I get you anything?” I’ll say, getting up from a dinner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-crosley/i-m-not-sure-how-the-ponies-happened-though-i-have-an-inkling-can-i/) [Sloane Crosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-crosley/) > [I like everything with a heaping dose of feminitity, including my cell phone. I created this phone for the classic woman, who like me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimora-lee-simmons/i-like-everything-with-a-heaping-dose-of-feminitity-including-my-cell/) [Kimora Lee Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimora-lee-simmons/) > [“People were sitting together, talking and telling stories face-to-face again, instead of staring at a cell phone screens while texting or chatting with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-foster/people-were-sitting-together-talking-and-telling-stories-face-to-face/) [Mike Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-foster/) > [“To me, at least in retrospect, the really interesting question is why dullness proves to be such a powerful impediment to attention. Why we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/to-me-at-least-in-retrospect-the-really-interesting-question-is-why/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“Another night then,' Mom said. 'Maybe on the weekend we can have a barbecue and invite your sister.' 'Or,' I said turning to Rafe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/another-night-then-mom-said-maybe-on-the-weekend-we-can-have-a/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Girls are like cell phones they love to be held and talked to but whewn you press the wrong buttons you will be disconnected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/superman/girls-are-like-cell-phones-they-love-to-be-held-and-talked-to-but/) [Superman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/superman/) > [Sometimes life really sucks. Then I see your name pop up on my cell phone and I cant help but smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-life-really-sucks-then-i-see-your-name-pop-up-on-my-cell/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I remember one point seeing I had like 60-some different cell phones. I know I only use one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-kosar/i-remember-one-point-seeing-i-had-like-60-some-different-cell-phones/) [Bernie Kosar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-kosar/) > [Cell phones are so convenient that they're an inconvenience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/cell-phones-are-so-convenient-that-they-re-an-inconvenience/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“The history of the sexual vanguard in America was a long list of people who had been ridiculed, imprisoned, or subjected to violence. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-witt/the-history-of-the-sexual-vanguard-in-america-was-a-long-list-of/) [Emily Witt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-witt/) > [The increase in chemicals and the increase in technology, like wi-fi and cell phone use that's going through our bodies all of the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-jennings/the-increase-in-chemicals-and-the-increase-in-technology-like-wi-fi/) [Mason Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-jennings/) > [But I'm acutely aware that the possibility of fraud is even more prevalent in today's world because of the Internet and cell phones and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armistead-maupin/but-i-m-acutely-aware-that-the-possibility-of-fraud-is-even-more/) [Armistead Maupin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armistead-maupin/) > [“was my first indication that the policies of Mamaw’s “party of the working man”—the Democrats—weren’t all they were cracked up to be. Political scientists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/was-my-first-indication-that-the-policies-of-mamaw-s-party-of-the/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) [Browse all 982 Cell phone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cell-phone/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He didn't understand these people. They rushed about blindly, with never a moment to spare. Their cell phones rang, they had to check their e-mail, they had to network. Ridiculous words Amy had taught him. She said that they were frightened, that if they stopped rushing, they might have to think. 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