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About this quote

What does it mean?
Thompson describes a nation paralyzed by multiple overlapping fears, from war to economic insecurity. He frames this as collective enslavement to anxiety.
In plain terms
People are controlled by constant fear of many different dangers.
What can you take from it?
Widespread fear enslaves society.

Where it applies

  • political commentary
  • social analysis
  • economic critique

Putting it to work

  • study fear in politics
  • analyze security rhetoric
  • examine economic anxiety

Questions to consider

  • What fear shapes your daily choices?
  • How does society use fear?

Another view

The quote attributes complex societal issues mainly to fear.

More from Hunter S. Thompson

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  3. It ain't much, but it's the only weapon we have against the Greedheads.

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