"The prairie is a place where you can feel how wide ideas are and how far they travel."
This quote emphasizes the vastness and expansiveness not only of the physical landscape of the prairie, but also of abstract concepts like ideas. The spaciousness of the prairie serves as a metaphor for the boundless nature of thoughts and beliefs, suggesting that they can spread far and wide, unhindered by boundaries or limitations. This connection between space and thought encourages us to think deeply and broadly about our own ideas, and reminds us that our thoughts can travel beyond ourselves, impacting others and influencing the world around us.
"I guess a sentence has to be long enough to contain the things that are in it."
This quote by Ian Frazier emphasizes the idea that for a statement or sentence to fully express its intended meaning, it must be of sufficient length to include all the necessary elements or ideas it aims to convey. In other words, brevity may sometimes fall short in capturing the complexity and richness of thoughts and concepts.
"One of the great American ideas is that if you're on foot, you're either lost or going someplace specific."
This quote by Ian Frazier encapsulates a common perception about mobility in America, suggesting that walking (on foot) implies being either directionless (lost) or purposefully traveling to a specific destination. It reflects the widespread reliance on motorized transportation in the United States and potentially underscores the value placed on efficiency and speed over leisurely exploration.
"The plains are big and there is not much to see so we watch the sky instead."
This quote captures the essence of the American Great Plains, a vast landscape with relatively few physical features compared to other regions. Instead of focusing on the land, people who dwell in this area often find beauty and interest in the expansive and ever-changing sky above - an endless canvas for the sun, clouds, storms, and stars that make up nature's spectacle. The quote suggests a certain humility and appreciation for the grandeur of the natural world, as well as a sense of wonder and curiosity about what lies beyond the horizon.
"There is a kind of loneliness in space, even when you're surrounded by people."
The quote by Ian Frazier underscores the emotional distance or isolation that can occur among individuals, despite their physical proximity. This "loneliness in space" signifies feelings of disconnection, alienation, or lack of genuine understanding and empathy, even when people are physically present with one another. This phenomenon is not exclusive to outer space but can be observed in any setting where meaningful human connection remains elusive.
When I go to Indian reservations in the West, and especially to the Pine Ridge Reservation, I sometimes feel unsure where to put my foot when I open the car door. The very ground is different from where I usually stand. There are fewer curbs, fewer sidewalks, and almost no street signs, mailboxes, or leashed dogs.
- Ian Frazier
America to me is so varied and exciting. I always feel nostalgia for the place I'm not in, and then I get there and find myself in a traffic jam going into the Lincoln Tunnel, and I think, 'God, why was I romanticizing this part of the country?' I think it has to do with the romantic, unrealistic temperament.
- Ian Frazier
You can find dozens of books about people taking the Trans-Siberian Railroad. I knew I had to do something different to cross Siberia. To drive and to talk with people along the way, that was how I wrote my book 'Great Plains'. I drove and camped in Siberia, but did not have a real program.
- Ian Frazier
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