Tad Williams, in his book "City of Golden Shadow," reflects on the human tendency to transform natural environments into urban landscapes filled with buildings and infrastructure. He likens this transformation to the way termites construct their nests, suggesting that humanity organizes its surroundings similarly, resulting in a dense, chaotic accumulation of materials.

The quote raises a poignant question about the implications of this transformation. It prompts readers to consider what would remain if the natural world were to be replaced entirely by human-made structures, leaving only artificial constructs behind. This imagery urges a deeper contemplation of the balance between nature and human development.