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About this quote

What does it mean?
Labeling something as a monster makes it manageable and familiar, stripping it of its true threat.
In plain terms
Naming monsters tames them.
What can you take from it?
Avoid defining threats too clearly if you want to understand their true danger.

Where it applies

  • political rhetoric
  • conflict analysis
  • social commentary

Putting it to work

  • critiquing labels
  • analyzing power dynamics

Questions to consider

  • How does labeling change our perception of danger?

Another view

Sometimes naming threats is necessary to address them.

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