In H.G. Wells' "The Sleeper Awakes," the author reflects on the evolution of communication technologies, emphasizing how the telephone, kinematograph, and phonograph have transformed society. These inventions have rendered traditional forms of communication like newspapers and letters nearly obsolete, creating a new social dynamic that connects people in unprecedented ways.

The quote implies that those who live without access to these electric means of communication are marginalized, akin to isolated savages. It highlights the growing dependence on technology and the societal shift that places those who lack connectivity at a significant disadvantage, suggesting a profound impact on social interaction and cohesion in modern life.