Hello Operator
In addition to helping me solve the mystery of my maladies, Google has freed the phone lines that run from our house to the outside world.
You may ask, "How can this be?"
Once upon a time, if I had a question about anything such as "How long do you boil green beans?" or "Where is Malaysia?" or "What was the name of the actress who played opposite Robert Redford in Legal Eagles?" or "Who was the seventh president of the United States?, " I would call the operator. If the operator did not know, there were rows and rows of other operators seated around her (or him) who could be tapped for the answer. It never failed that someone held the knowledge.
It occurs to me that there might be a new form of operator/Google available to me in the resources of my collective readership. Can anyone tell me the correct attribution for the quote, "When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you." (or some variation thereof) Both Nietzsche, the philosopher, and Joseph Conrad in Heart of Darkness have been given credit.
Even if you don't know the answer, please feel free to say "hello" when you pass through.
9 comments:
Google is my co-pilot.
Google is my alpha male and omega-3.
Well, according to Bartleby.com (Great Books Online), it's Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, “Fourth Part: Maxims and Interludes,” section 146 (1886).
Full quote is "He who fights against monsters should see to it that he does not become a monster in the process. And when you stare persistently into an abyss, the abyss also stares into you."
Oddly enough, I came across that quote today while I was reading a fantasy book; it was one of the chapter headings.
Thank you! I was having trouble finding the sources.
We will call you: Operator Jones
Why did I know that when I read this question, my DJ would have the answer written as one of the four responses... Our family still talks about the day he left for Bible school and we had to brush off the dictionary.
PS - have loved reading your blog so much! I've laughed & cried, and that to me calls for a happy sigh.
I suspected that DJ would be the one with the answer as well.
Thanks for your kind words, re: blog
fas·ci·nate 1. to attract and hold attentively by a unique power, personal charm, unusual nature, or some other special quality; enthrall: a vivacity that fascinated the audience.
2. to arouse the interest or curiosity of; allure.
3. to transfix or deprive of the power of resistance, as through terror: The sight of the snake fascinated the rabbit.
I am fascinated by your blog. Keep up the addictive writing.
There is a 12 step program available for those who become powerless over their addiction to blogs.
"At first I only read blogs on the weekends and holidays, and then I found myself reading blogs in the morning and again part way through the day. Pretty soon I couldn't live without it..."
You were warned, young lady.
I'm not addicted to blogging. I can stop anytime.
--DJ
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