Counting is the religion of this generation it is its hope and its salvation.

Gertrude Stein's quote, "Counting is the religion of this generation; it is its hope and its salvation," reflects her critical view of modern society’s obsession with measurement and quantification. Stein suggests that in the contemporary world, people place too much faith in numbers and statistics, as if they hold the key to understanding life and ensuring success. The use of the word "religion" implies that society’s reliance on counting has become a form of faith, where people seek meaning and guidance from data and metrics rather than more abstract or spiritual values.

The quote also highlights the shift in focus from intangible aspects of life, such as emotion or intuition, to the concrete world of numbers and measurable outcomes. Stein may be commenting on the rise of scientific thinking and technological advancement, where progress and decision-making are increasingly based on what can be counted or calculated. In this context, counting becomes a substitute for deeper, more philosophical understanding, positioning it as both a solution and a limitation.

By calling counting both a "hope" and "salvation," Stein underscores how society views numbers as the key to progress and security. People often look to data for reassurance, believing that the right numbers will provide the answers to life’s problems. However, the quote also carries a sense of irony, suggesting that this reliance on quantification might actually distance people from more meaningful or holistic approaches to life.

The origin of this quote comes from Gertrude Stein, an influential American writer and avant-garde figure in the early 20th century. Known for her experimental and unconventional writing style, Stein often explored themes of modernity, identity, and the changing nature of culture. This quote reflects her critical perspective on modernity and its emphasis on rationality and objectivity, which she may have seen as reducing life to a set of measurable, impersonal quantities.