Progress Quote by Tao Lin
““Garret went across the street to the library. There was a hole in the sidewalk the size of a bathtub. Construction was being done, was always being done. It was the journey that mattered, Garret thought woozily, the getting-there part. The mayor, and then the president, had begun saying that. "And where are we going?" the mayor had asked. "When will we get there? What will happen to us once we get there?" He really wanted to know.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Journey” in *Stories for the End of the World*, 2015
The narrative reflects on endless construction and political questioning, highlighting the importance of the process over destination and the anxiety of uncertain futures.
In simple terms: Focus on the journey, not just the goal.
Key Takeaway
Value the process, question the outcome.
Themes
process
uncertainty
politics
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- city planning meetings
- personal goal setting
- community activism
Key Concepts
existentialism
urban decay
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “the journey” mean to you?
- How do you handle endless change?
A Different Perspective
The story may overemphasize ambiguity, leaving readers unsettled.
