About this quote

Modern infrastructure prioritizes efficiency over the human spirit. We end up with cold, functional spaces that drain our energy. Next time you find yourself stuck in a sterile office or a grey transit hub, look closely at the design choices. You do not have to pretend these ugly, utilitarian structures are pleasant just because they are necessary. Recognizing the sheer absurdity of our artificial surroundings helps you value actual nature and warmth.

When to use it

• Exhausted during a six-hour layover at a sterile terminal in Chicago, you look at the flickering fluorescent lights and tell your partner that there is a reason nobody ever says 'as pretty as an airport'.
• While helping your brother paint his living room, he suggests a cold, industrial grey for the walls, and you laughingly warn him that he is about to make his home look like a security checkpoint.
• During a town hall meeting about a new concrete parking garage, you point out to the committee that the design completely lacks any green spaces or human touch.