It's a bit like sympathetic magic in a way: the usual Western presumption that 'primitive' rituals mimic what they desire to achieve--that phallic objects might be believed to increase male potency and playacting rainfall might somehow bring it about. I am suspicious of such obvious connections and I suspect that the connections among things, people, and processes can be equally irrational. I sense the world might be more dreamlike, metaphorical, and poetic than we currently believe--but just as irrational as sympathetic magic when looked at in a typically scientific way. I wouldn't be surprised if poetry--poetry in the broadest sense, in the sense of a world filled with metaphor, rhyme, and recurring patterns, shapes, and designs--is how the world works. The world isn't logical, it's a song. David Byrne
About This Quote

This quote from Joseph Campbell is a very deep point of view. It is a very deep thinking about how the world works. As he said, the world is a song and the way it works is a lot like a song. There are metaphors and stories that go on in this song.

Every decision that we make in life is based on what we want to get out of it. We want to get something out of it and we use our imagination to make sure that we get what we want. We look at our situation and see patterns, meanings, and things that cause us to think of things in particular ways so that we can achieve our goals.

Source: Bicycle Diaries

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More Quotes By David Byrne
  1. Sometimes it's a form of love just to talk to somebody that you have nothing in common with and still be fascinated by their presence.
  2. I sense the world might be more dreamlike, metaphorical, and poetic than we currently believe--but just as irrational as sympathetic magic when looked at in a typically scientific way. I wouldn't be surprised if poetry--poetry in the broadest sense, in the sense of a world...
  3. I wouldn't be surprised if poetry - poetry in the broadest sense, in the sense of a world filled with metaphor, rhyme, and recurring patterns, shapes, and designs - is how the world works. The world isn't logical; it's a song.
  4. It's a bit like sympathetic magic in a way: the usual Western presumption that 'primitive' rituals mimic what they desire to achieve--that phallic objects might be believed to increase male potency and playacting rainfall might somehow bring it about. I am suspicious of such obvious...
  5. Complete freedom is as much curse as boon; freedom within strict and well-defined confines is, to me, ideal.
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