The quote suggests that losing sensitivity or emotional engagement with the world can be seen as a form of self-destruction. When individuals disconnect or become numb, they may stop experiencing life fully, which can lead to a kind of internal death or loss of meaning. This numbness can prevent people from engaging deeply with their surroundings, relationships, and personal growth. According to Terry Tempest Williams in her book When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice, maintaining emotional awareness and connection is vital for living authentically. She emphasizes that avoiding numbness and staying emotionally present allows us to appreciate life's complexities and find our true voice.

To be numb to the world is another form of suicide.