I'm struck these days by how often people come up to me and ask to take a photograph instead of shaking hands, meeting one's eyes, and having an actual conversation.
Interpretation
The quote expresses concern over the decline of genuine human interactions in favor of superficial engagements.
In this quote, Anna Wintour highlights a societal shift where people prefer taking photographs as a form of interaction, rather than engaging in meaningful conversations and personal connections. This observation underscores the importance of authentic relationships and the need for real engagement, suggesting that modern technology may be diminishing our ability to connect on a deeper level.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of human interaction, I might reference this quote to emphasize my point.
It would be ridiculous to ignore the speed and possibilities of the digital landscape - you absolutely need to have fast-moving news online, but if you want to build a large audience over time, you absolutely have to take a risk on the big challenging stuff.
With all the new media outlets out there, with all the noise, a voice of authority and calm like Vogue becomes more important than ever. The more eyes on fashion, the more opinions about fashion, the more exploration of fashion around the world, the better it is for Vogue. Vogue is like Nike or Coca-Cola—this huge global brand. I want to enhance it, I want to protect it, and I want it to be part of the conversation.
'Vogue' and 'Vice' may appear to some to see the world through different lenses. But in my view, both are fearless and breathtaking, with unquenchable curiosity and vigor.
Fashion is not beautiful, neither is it ugly. Why should it be either? Fashion is fashion.
I think what I often see is that people are frightened about fashion. Because it scares them or makes them feel insecure, so they just put it down. On the whole people that may say the mean things about our world I think that’s usually because they feel, in some ways, excluded or, you know, not a part of ‘the cool group’ so as a result they just mock it.
I think we're living, in terms of media, in a very democratic age, but I think that we still look at everything through the lens of 'Vogue' and through our own point of view.
To put yourself in another's place requires real imagination, but by doing so each Girl Scout will be able to love among others happily.
How was she to tie herself to a man without permitting him to imprison her? And was there some means of acquiring things without those things possessing her?
When I think about [characters], I like to think of them in their relationships to each other. In the same way, I think that's how humans are ultimately defined. We are our relationships to one another. And a lot of what's interesting about us happens in the context of other people.
I've been lonely for so long. And I've been hurt so deeply. If only I could have met you again a long time ago, then I wouldn't have had to take all these detours to get here.' Tengo shook his head. 'I don't think so. This way is just fine. This is exactly the right time. For both of us. [...] We needed that much time.... to understand how lonely we really were.
Merit and knowledge will not gain hearts, though they will secure them when gained.
Caring comes from being able to put yourself in the position of the other person.
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