The quote suggests that people tend to gravitate towards subjects or fields where they can relate to others involved in those areas on a fundamental level. It highlights that an appreciation for the natural world, with its remarkable beauty and complexity, may not come naturally to someone who rarely ventures beyond urban environments. Similarly, understanding the elegance and power of physical laws requires time and effort to develop.
On a deeper level, this statement underscores the importance of exposure and experience in shaping one's interests and perspectives. It implies that genuine engagement and comprehension often result from direct encounters with different aspects of reality rather than merely theoretical knowledge or secondhand information. The quote also touches on the idea that appreciation for certain subjects may require a shift in perspective or lifestyle, suggesting that individuals might need to step outside their comfort zones to truly grasp and enjoy these areas of study.
Margaret Geller is an esteemed American astrophysicist known for her contributions to observational cosmology and mapping large-scale structures in the universe. Her work has significantly advanced our understanding of how galaxies are distributed throughout space, providing critical insights into the structure and evolution of the cosmos.