In today's technologically driven society, there are frequent complaints about the lack of authenticity in experiences, with many feeling that everything is either artificial, digital, or virtual. This sentiment reflects a sense of disconnection from reality. However, the author, Ruth Ozeki, suggests that this perception of unreality is not a new phenomenon; rather, it aligns with philosophical ideas that have existed for centuries.

Ozeki references Plato's concept that our worldly experiences are mere shadows of true forms, emphasizing that the shifting nature of life has always been a part of the human experience. Thus, the feelings of disillusionment or surrealness in modern life can be understood as a continuation of a long-standing philosophical conversation about the essence of reality and our perception of it.