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About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote contrasts people who can still see the world with youthful perspective and those who have lost that ability, noting the author's ease in empathizing with youth.
In plain terms
Some people can still view things through youthful eyes, and the author can easily imagine being a boy.
What can you take from it?
Try to keep a youthful outlook to stay empathetic.

Where it applies

  • when dealing with younger generations
  • in creative writing

Putting it to work

  • practice perspective‑taking
  • revisit childhood memories

Questions to consider

  • How does your current perspective limit you?
  • Can you balance youthful empathy with mature judgment?

Another view

Constantly adopting a youthful view can ignore adult responsibilities.

More from Dave Eggers

  1. What are we allowed to do when we're looking for things we're required to do?

    Permalink to quote #20
  2. I cannot count the times I have cursed our lack of urgency. If I ever love again, I will not wait to love as best as I can. We thought we were young and that t…

    Permalink to quote #22
  3. What did we want? We want the world smaller and bigger and just the same but advancing. We don't know what we want.

    Permalink to quote #19

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