"It's very easy to say that something is a shadow of itself, and it may be true in some senses"

In this quote, journalist Sydney Schanberg is going over the principle of something being a "shadow of itself." This expression suggests that something has actually lost its initial essence or quality and is now a mere replica or representation of what it as soon as was. Schanberg acknowledges that this might hold true in some methods, showing that there might be some reality to the concept that things can change or deteriorate with time. Nevertheless, he also suggests that this declaration might not always be precise, as there may be other elements at play that contribute to the viewed modification. In general, Schanberg's words highlight the complexity of this concept and the need for mindful consideration before making such a statement.