Think of the earth as a living organism that is being attacked by billions of bacteria whose numbers double every forty years. Either the host dies, or the virus dies, or both die.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Vidal uses a biological metaphor to describe humans as bacteria attacking Earth, warning of inevitable mutual destruction.
- In plain terms
- Humans are like bacteria eating the earth until both die.
- What can you take from it?
- Unchecked growth threatens both humanity and the planet.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we stop the infection?
- What is humanity's role?
Another view
The metaphor dehumanizes people as pathogens without nuance.
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