In her book "For the Time Being," Annie Dillard reflects on the vastness of the human experience by highlighting the current population of China, which stands at approximately 1.2 billion. She encourages readers to consider the significance of each individual, emphasizing their complexity and emotional depth, and then to extrapolate that uniqueness across such a large number. This thought exercise prompts reflection on the collective existence of humanity, illustrating the sheer scale of individual lives and stories within a population.

Dillard's observation serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and connection. By inviting the reader to multiply their own sense of self by the massive population, she suggests that every person contributes to the richness of the human tapestry. This notion not only underscores the individuality of each life but also encourages a greater appreciation for the shared human condition, reminding us that within the enormity of numbers, there remains an intricate web of personal narratives.