You are paralyzed by the fact that cruelty is often amusing.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The quote points out the paradox that people are often frozen because they recognize the dark humor in cruel situations.
- In plain terms
- You stop acting because you find cruelty funny.
- What can you take from it?
- Awareness of cruelty's humor can lead to inaction.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does humor help or hinder dealing with cruelty?
- When do you laugh at things you shouldn't?
Another view
It assumes amusement always leads to paralysis.
More from Douglas Coupland
You don't believe magic is possible in lives lived within traditional boundaries.
Permalink to quote #20 You pretend to be more eccentric than you actually are because you worry you are an interchangeable cog.
Permalink to quote #22 Your inability to achieve solitude makes you settle for substandard relationships.
Permalink to quote #19
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