The American: a titan enamored of progress, a fanatical giant who worships getting things done but never asks himself what he is doing nor why he is doing it. His activity is not creative play but mindless sport: he drops bombs on [everyone] and sends messages home on Mothers Day; he believes in sentimental love and his sadism goes by the name of mental hygiene; he razes cities and visits his psychiatrist. He is still tied by his umbilical cord even though he is the explorer of outer space. Progress, solidarity, good intentions, and despicable acts. He does not suffer from hubris; he is simply lawless, perpetually repentant and perpetually self-satisfied... - Octavio Paz, Nihilism and Dialectics
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 01:17:57 +0000