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It is such a supreme folly to believe that nuclear weapons…

“It is such a supreme folly to believe that nuclear weapons are deadly only if they're used. The fact that they exist at all, their presence in our lives, will wreak more havoc than we can begin to fathom. Nuclear weapons pervade our thinking. Control our behavior. Administer our societies. Inform…” quote by Arundhati Roy
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“It is such a supreme folly to believe that nuclear weapons are deadly only if they're used. The fact that they exist at all, their presence in our lives, will wreak more havoc than we can begin to fathom. Nuclear weapons pervade our thinking. Control our behavior. Administer our societies. Inform our dreams. They bury themselves like meat hooks deep in the base of our brains. They are purveyors of madness. They are the ultimate colonizer. Whiter than any white man that ever lived. The very heart of whiteness.”

Arundhati Roy

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Nuclear weapons dominate thought and behavior, creating pervasive fear and control beyond their actual use.

In simple terms: Nuclear weapons shape minds and societies, causing widespread fear.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and mitigate the psychological grip of nuclear threats.

Themes

war psychology control societal impact

Mood

anxious reflective

Type

political analytical

When to use this quote

  • policy making
  • education
  • media reporting
  • mental health counseling

Key Concepts

political theory media studies psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What are the mental health effects of living under nuclear threat?
  • How can societies balance deterrence with psychological well‑being?
A Different Perspective

The argument may overlook nuclear deterrence benefits.

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