In "Man in the Holocene," Max Frisch explores the concept of human awareness in the face of disasters. He argues that only humans possess the ability to perceive and interpret catastrophes, emphasizing that this recognition is contingent upon survival. This highlights our unique capacity for reflection and understanding in the aftermath of traumatic events.

Frisch contrasts this human perspective with the indifferent nature of the world, suggesting that nature itself is not affected by or aware of these catastrophes. Instead, it continues its cycle unaffected by human struggles, illustrating a fundamental difference between human consciousness and the natural environment.