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About this quote

What does it mean?
Vonnegut compares humanity's reliance on fossil fuels to addiction, accusing leaders of violent theft.
In plain terms
We are addicted to oil and leaders are stealing the rest violently.
What can you take from it?
Environmental dependence can drive political violence.

Where it applies

  • climate activism
  • energy policy
  • political critique

Putting it to work

  • advocating reform
  • writing critique

Questions to consider

  • Are we addicts?
  • What drives resource wars?

Another view

It simplifies complex economic and geopolitical factors.

More from Kurt Vonnegut

  1. I am of course notoriously hooked on cigarettes. I keep hoping the things will kill me. A fire at one end and a fool at the other.

    Permalink to quote #184
  2. One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us.

    Permalink to quote #186
  3. So let's give another big tax cut to the super-rich. That'll teach bin Laden a lesson he won't soon forget.

    Permalink to quote #183

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