What I mean is something like a closed circuit. Everybody on the same frequency. And after a while you forget about the rest of the spectrum and start believing that this is the only frequency that counts or is real. While outside, all up and down the land, there are these wonderful colors and x-rays and ultraviolets going on.
In Thomas Pynchon's "Slow Learner: Early Stories," the author uses the metaphor of a closed circuit to describe a narrow worldview. He suggests that when individuals confine themselves to a single perspective or frequency, they may lose sight of the broader spectrum of experiences and realities available to them. This limited view can lead to a false belief that their particular perspective is the only one that matters or is true.
Pynchon emphasizes the richness of the world beyond this self-imposed boundary. He points out that there are myriad experiences, represented by colors, x-rays, and ultraviolet light, that exist outside one's immediate awareness. The quote serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and exploring different viewpoints and realities, rather than becoming trapped in a singular, limiting perspective.