Meaning: This quote by Henry Miller encapsulates a profound observation about the way in which modern society interacts with the world around us. It highlights the shift from a sensory, immersive experience of life to one that is more detached and cerebral. In essence, Miller is suggesting that we have become disconnected from the raw, unfiltered experience of the world, instead relying on memories and ideas to shape our understanding of reality.

Miller's assertion that "We live in the mind, in ideas, in fragments" speaks to the pervasive influence of technology and media in shaping our perceptions of the world. In today's digital age, we are constantly bombarded with information, images, and ideas that shape our understanding of the world. Our experiences are often filtered through the lens of social media, news outlets, and other forms of digital communication, leading to a fragmented and often distorted view of reality.

The second part of the quote, "We no longer drink in the wild outer music of the streets - we remember only," further emphasizes this idea of detachment from the immediate, sensory experience of life. The "wild outer music of the streets" evokes a sense of the vibrant, unstructured energy of the world outside our minds. However, Miller suggests that we no longer fully engage with this sensory richness; instead, we rely on memories and recollections to shape our understanding of the world around us. This speaks to the idea that our experiences are often mediated and filtered through the prism of memory and interpretation, rather than being directly engaged with in the present moment.

Furthermore, Miller's observation can be seen as a commentary on the impact of modernity and urbanization on our relationship with the environment. As societies have become increasingly urbanized, our connection to the natural world and the unstructured, unfiltered experiences of the outdoors has been diminished. The "wild outer music of the streets" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the untamed, unscripted experiences of nature, which have been supplanted by the controlled, curated environments of urban landscapes.

In a broader sense, Miller's quote can also be viewed as a reflection on the human condition in the modern world. The shift towards living "in the mind, in ideas, in fragments" speaks to the tendency of contemporary society to prioritize intellectual and conceptual engagement over direct, sensory experience. Our lives are often shaped by the ideas and narratives that we construct in our minds, rather than by the unfiltered, immediate experiences of the world around us.

In conclusion, Henry Miller's quote offers a poignant reflection on the ways in which modern society interacts with the world. It highlights the shift from a sensory, immersive experience of life to one that is more detached and cerebral, shaped by memories and ideas. This observation prompts us to consider the ways in which we engage with the world around us and the implications of living primarily in the realm of the mind and ideas.