Ancient Quote by Timothy Morton
“Paradoxically, capital has unleashed myriad objects upon us, in their manifold horror and sparkling splendor. Two hundred years of idealism, two hundred years of seeing humans at the center of existence, and now the objects take revenge, terrifyingly huge, ancient, long-lived, threateningly minute, invading every cell in our body.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Hyperobjects: Philosophy and Ecology after the End of the World, 2013
Human‑centred idealism gave way to overwhelming, pervasive objects that dominate life at all scales.
In simple terms: Objects now dominate life at every scale.
Recognize and address the impact of massive, persistent objects.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- digital infrastructure
- climate policy
- healthcare
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What everyday objects affect you most?
- How can you mitigate their negative effects?
The concept can be abstract and hard to apply practically.