The world under glass

“Do you understand that? That's the magic of glass.

Protection without imprisonment... being in one place and being able to see everywhere, having a roof and being able to see the sky... being inside and being outside at the same time... a trick, nothing but a trick.

If you want a thing and yet you are afraid of it, all you have to do is put a glass in the middle... between you and that thing... you can get very close to it and yet you will remain safe.

There is no other way... I put pieces of the world under glass because that is one way to save ourselves.

Desires take refuge in there... sheltered from fear ... a wonderful, transparent lair ...

Do you understand all this?”

(Alessandro Baricco, English translation from “Castelli di rabbia”)