How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
As the plane got closer, they realized that is was simply an outcropping of freakishly eroded sandstone. "The illusion was remarkable—almost unbelievable," Brian said. (24.15)
What is once believed to be marvelous and magical, like Z, turns out to be mundane when technology allows us to understand it better. Brian discovers an optical illusion that looks like a city, but from a plane, he realizes it's just nature playing tricks. That doesn't make it less beautiful, but it does take away some magic; it's like knowing how a magician performs an illusion.