Everything hurts. People are talking in the halls, but no one seems to be evacuating the building. This is the nature of New York City: alarms go off so often that no one wants to respond to them until things start burning down or blowing up in front of their eyes.
The quote highlights the indifferent attitude of New Yorkers toward alarms, reflecting a broader sense of urban desensitization. In a bustling city where alerts are frequent, residents have learned to ignore warnings unless there's a clear and immediate danger, such as a fire or explosion. This behavior underscores the constant tension in cities where the noise of life sometimes drowns out genuine threats.
The statement "Everything hurts" conveys a deeper emotional fatigue, indicating that amidst the chaos and noise, individuals may feel a sense of overwhelming stress and pain. This pain is part of the city’s landscape, illustrating how the chronic state of urgency can wear down even the toughest inhabitants. It paints a vivid picture of urban life where survival often means managing discomfort and navigating through a sea of apathy.