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I met him in the hospital.' I saw the eyebrow raise in my…

“I met him in the hospital.' I saw the eyebrow raise in my peripheral vision. 'Yeah, that hospital. He believes that powerful telepaths are secretly in charge of the planet, and that they're possessing people for their own entertainment.' 'Powerful telepaths...' Lew said. 'Slan,' I said. Lew burst…” quote by Daryl Gregory
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““I met him in the hospital.' I saw the eyebrow raise in my peripheral vision. 'Yeah, that hospital. He believes that powerful telepaths are secretly in charge of the planet, and that they're possessing people for their own entertainment.' 'Powerful telepaths...' Lew said. 'Slan,' I said. Lew burst out laughing. 'You mean you didn't know that Slan was nonfiction?' I said. 'Bertrum belongs to an organization that believes that Van Vogt intentionally--' 'What did you say--Van Vaht? It's Van Voh.' 'No, it's not. You've gotta pronounce the T at least.' 'What, Van Vote? Don't be an idiot. I bet you still say Submareener.' 'My point--,' I said. 'And Mag-net-o.' '--is that Bertrum thinks Van Voggatuh used fiction to cloak the truth.' 'As opposed to say, your friend, P.K. Dick, and Whitley Strieber, and--' 'Streeber.' 'And L. Ron Hubbard, who just made shit up and said it was the truth.' 'Exactly.' Lew nodded. 'I find your ideas intriguing and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter. What's the name of this fine organization?' 'It gets better,' I said. "The Human League." 'No way.' 'I'm not sure they realized the name was taken.' 'My god, Lew said. 'It's the perfect cover for an elite fighting force -- an eighties New Wave band! This is so Buckaroo Banzai.””

Daryl Gregory

About This Quote

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

The dialogue satirizes conspiracy theories and the absurdity of secret societies, highlighting how easily people accept bizarre explanations.

In simple terms: People often believe strange conspiracies without evidence.

Key Takeaway

Question claims critically.

Themes

conspiracy skepticism humor

Mood

skeptical ironic

Type

literary satirical

When to use this quote

  • online forums
  • political discourse
  • friend conversations
  • media consumption

Key Concepts

belief formation media literacy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What makes conspiracy theories appealing?
  • How can we encourage critical thinking?
A Different Perspective

Satire may oversimplify complex issues, reducing nuanced discussion.

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