How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
[Isidore] wondered, then, if the others who had remained on Earth experienced the void this way. Or was it peculiar to his peculiar biological identity, a freak generated by his inept sensory apparatus? (2.17)
Isidore is so isolated that he doesn't even know if his isolation is unusual. (We think he'd be a lot less concerned about inhabiting an entire apartment building if he'd ever had to deal with upstairs neighbors having elephant dance parties at two in the morning.)
Quote #2
Evidently the humanoid robot constituted a solitary predator. (3.18)
Isolation might go against human nature, but it's the go-to state for androids. They're isolationist by their very nature, like some species of snakes or sharks—or Reddit users. (We kid, we kid.)
Quote #3
"But an empathy box," he said, stammering in his excitement, "is the most personal possession you have! It's an extension of your body; it's the way you touch other humans, it's the way you stop being alone." (6.35)
The empathy boxes are like the smartphones of the future. They help people connect to one another over great distances and keep isolation at bay. Even better, the battery never runs down!