--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When some people look at a shrimp they…" description: "\"When some people look at a shrimp they think, \"Hmm. Delicious.\" When I look at a shrimp I think, \"You're a miracle, absolutely incredible. Your ancesto..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/sylvia-earle-1756_ancestor_when-some-people-look-at-a-shrimp-they-t_307543.jpg" --- # When some people look at a shrimp they think, "Hmm… ![“When some people look at a shrimp they think, "Hmm. Delicious." When I look at a shrimp I think, "You're a miracle, absolutely incredible. Your ancestors have gone back hundreds of millions of years." And to develop a thing as simple as a shrimp cocktail, you have to calculate the hundreds of…” quote by Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/sylvia-earle-1756_ancestor_when-some-people-look-at-a-shrimp-they-t_307543.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/sylvia-earle-1756_ancestor_when-some-people-look-at-a-shrimp-they-t_307543.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/sylvia-earle-1756_ancestor_when-some-people-look-at-a-shrimp-they-t_307543.jpg) > “When some people look at a shrimp they think, "Hmm. Delicious." When I look at a shrimp I think, "You're a miracle, absolutely incredible. Your ancestors have gone back hundreds of millions of years." And to develop a thing as simple as a shrimp cocktail, you have to calculate the hundreds of millions of years that have preceded that moment where you're sitting there with your sauce and fork poised.” [Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-earle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A shrimp embodies billions of years of evolution, reminding us of life's marvels and our connection to deep time. **In simple terms:** Shrimp reflects deep evolutionary history. Key Takeaway Appreciate the wonder of even tiny life forms. Themes nature evolution wonder Mood inspired humble Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - science education - environmental advocacy - personal reflection Key Concepts deep time interconnectedness biological marvels Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing deep time affect your actions? - What responsibilities arise from this perspective? A Different Perspective Focusing on small wonders may overlook larger ecological issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancestor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancestor/) [Cocktails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cocktails/) [Miracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miracle/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I hate to make this point too often, but imagine for a moment George W. 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"hmm, im afraid i have the chronic desire to save people" "i know about that. i've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/so-what-brings-you-to-the-doctor-today-hmm-im-afraid-i-have-the/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [All the tired horses in the sun How'm I supposed to get any ridin' done? Hmm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/all-the-tired-horses-in-the-sun-how-m-i-supposed-to-get-any-ridin/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Sometimes 'Hmm' is the wisest thing to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alethea-kontis/sometimes-hmm-is-the-wisest-thing-to-say/) [Alethea Kontis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alethea-kontis/) > [One friend said, "Donnie Darko movie was weird!" And I thought, "Hmm. I don't think we're as good of friends as I thought." It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-grant/one-friend-said-donnie-darko-movie-was-weird-and-i-thought-hmm-i-don/) [Beth Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-grant/) > [You don't have to say it out loud. I already know why you like me.' 'You do, huh?' 'Yep.' He wrapped his arms around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/you-don-t-have-to-say-it-out-loud-i-already-know-why-you-like-me-you/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [The universe is simmering down, like a giant stew left to cook for four billion years. Sooner or later we won’t be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-bloch/the-universe-is-simmering-down-like-a-giant-stew-left-to-cook-for/) [Arthur Bloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-bloch/) ## More by Sylvia Earle > [We still have 10 percent of the sharks. We still have half of the coral reefs. However, if we wait another 50 years, opportunities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-earle/we-still-have-10-percent-of-the-sharks-we-still-have-half-of-the/) [Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-earle/) > [Health to the ocean means health for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-earle/health-to-the-ocean-means-health-for-us/) [Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-earle/) > [Evolution is not something to be feared. 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