"The other importance is all there is to anything"

Question

What does it mean?A man and woman discuss on the importance of things in life. The man says "Nothing matters one way or the other ultimately. The other importance is all there is to anything"Can you please tell me what he means?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

It's too philosophical, I suppose. :/

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousNothing matters one way or the other ultimately. The other importance is all there is to anything.

We need a few sentences that came before the ones you quoted.

"Well -- I mean ultimately. Ultimately it wouldn't matter one way or the other, would it? But immediately it matters because if they weren't independent we'd have to go through the same rigmarole most people go through, and the kids would be depending on all kinds of crutches."
"Nothing matters one way or the other ultimately," Joe pointed out. "The other importance is all there is to anything."

To be important ~ to matter.

The "other importance" is immediate importance.
____________

In the future, please try to give us enough context so we don't have to go rummaging around the internet looking for some clues to tell us what you are talking about.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim The second sentence doesn't seem right. Either it contains a mistake or you copied it wrong or the author is just not making sense. Or maybe we need a few sentences that came before the ones you quoted.CJ

We figured the less they're in our hair the better we'll get along with each other."
"Don't think we drive them," Rennie said. "We don't really give a ****. But I guess we demand a lot tacitly."
Joe listened to this remark with casual interest.
"Why do you say you don't give a ****?" he asked her.
Rennie was a little startled at the question, which she had not expected.
"Well -- I meanultimately. Ultimately it wouldn't matter one way or the other, would it? Butimmediately it matters because if they weren't independent we'd have to go through the same rigmarole most people go through, and the kids would be depending on all kinds of crutches."
"Nothing matters one way or the other ultimately," Joe pointed out. "The other importance is all there is to anything."
"That's what I meant, Joe."

http://www.en8848.com.cn/fiction/Fiction/Gerneral/2008-03-20/59320_5.html

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous CalifJim The second sentence doesn't seem right. Either it contains a mistake or you copied it wrong or the author is just not making sense. Or maybe we need a few sentences that came before the ones you quoted.CJWe figured the less they're in our hair the better we'll get along with each other." "Don't think we drive them," Rennie said. "We don't really give a ****. But I guess we demand a lot tacitly." Joe listened to this remark with casual interest. "Why do you say you don't give a ****?" he asked her. Rennie was a little startled at the question, which she had not expected. "Well -- I meanultimately. Ultimately it wouldn't matter one way or the other, would it? Butimmediately it matters because if they weren't independent we'd have to go through the same rigmarole most people go through, and the kids would be depending on all kinds of crutches." "Nothing matters one way or the other ultimately," Joe pointed out. "The other importance is all there is to anything." "That's what I meant, Joe."link

Yes, I get it. See my previous answer. I was looking this up as you were writing your post, so I changed my answer (above).

Does it make more sense now?

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJimIn the future, please try to give us enough context so we don't have to go rummaging around the internet looking for some clues to tell us what you are talking about.

I did, but as I am anonymous, what I write is posted very late.

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you. I didn't get at first that the other importance is the immediate one. I know the expression "that's all there is to it", and it's like "that's all one can say" as far as I know. So, here, does he say that the immediate importance is all one can say/talk about, etc.?

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI did, but as I am anonymous, what I write is posted very late.

OK. I understand. Maybe it's time to register so you have a real name and can take better advantage of our forum.

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousSo, here, does he say that the immediate importance is all one can say/talk about, etc.?

Not exactly.

The other importance is all there is to anything. ~ Immediate importance is the only significant kind of importance about anything. ~ There is no kind of importance that has any real significance except immediate importance.

You can talk about any kind of importance you want, so he's not saying you can't talk about any of these things.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

CalifJim Immediate importance is the only significant kind of importance about anything. ~ There is no kind of importance that has any real significance except immediate importance.You can talk about any kind of importance you want, so he's not saying you can't talk about any of these things.CJ

Thanks a million.

"The other importance is all there is to anything"

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions