He asked what was wrong. It's just that why would you have one for him and not one for my dad? What do you mean! It isn't fair. What isn't fair! My dad was good. Mohammed Atta was evil. So! So my dad deserves to be in there. What makes you think it's good to be in here! Because it means you're biographically significant. And why is that good! I want to be significant. Nine out of ten significant people have to do with money or war!
The quote reflects a child's struggle to understand the concept of significance and legacy in relation to moral worth. The dialogue highlights a conversation about fairness and the criteria for being remembered in a meaningful way. The child questions why one person is memorialized and not another, focusing on the perceived goodness of their father compared to a notorious figure like Mohammed Atta. This contrast illustrates a youthful innocence grappling with complex ideas about morality and societal recognition.
The child's desire to be "significant" reveals a yearning for validation and a place in history, yet they are frustrated by the idea that significance often stems from negative attributes like wealth or conflict. The conversation underscores a deeper philosophical inquiry into what it means to be remembered and valued, juxtaposing personal worth against societal benchmarks. Ultimately, it raises poignant questions about how we measure impact and the true nature of being "biographically significant."
