Prominent literary theorist and environmental philosopher Timothy Morton has frequently discussed the value of preserving our sense of wonder and inventiveness in the face of insurmountable obstacles. His quotation emphasizes the importance of continuing to envision new possibilities even when we want to give up.

Think of life as a huge ocean, with the waves standing in for the challenges and unknowns that can cause us to withdraw from the outside world and curl up inside ourselves like a baby trying to find safety. Morton contends that in these situations, we should fight the impulse to withdraw and instead use our creativity to create new possibilities. Our creative potential illuminates otherwise invisible avenues for progress, much like a lantern in the dark.

Themes of environmentalism and the relationship between people and nature are frequently explored in Morton's writing. He stresses that by keeping our imaginations active, we can imagine better ways to care for our planet and each other, and he urges us to see ourselves as parts of an intricate web rather than as distinct entities.

Morton is essentially reminding us that when confronted with difficult problems like social injustice or climate change, we shouldn't allow fear or hopelessness to rule our thoughts. Rather, he urges us to harness our creativity to come up with novel ideas that could result in a more just and sustainable world.