Most people have no more definite idea of liberty than that it consists in being compelled by law to do as they like – Ambrose Bierce
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Sunday, 8 October 2023
Universal impotence
He told Bruce of his plan. “There’s a note I’d like to strike. It’s about impotence. Have you noticed, going along the streets, that all of the people you see are tired out, impotent?” he asked. “What is a newspaper—the most impotent thing in the world. What is the theater? Have you gone much lately? They give you such a weariness that your back aches, and the movies, God, the movies are ten times worse, and if this war isn’t a sign of universal impotence, sweeping over the world like a disease, then I don’t know much.
Sherwood Anderson - Dark Laughter (1925)
Given a certain level of security, impotence seems to be something middle class people willingly vote for and elites willingly provide.
First World War 28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918
ReplyDeleteSpanish Flu February 1918 – April 1920
Prohibition 17 Jan 1920 – 5 Dec 1933
No wonder people were weary. Makes our current trouble seem not too bad.
DJ - yes, we magnify small troubles when we don't have big ones. Once magnified, troubles can become big enough to threaten our grandkids though.
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