But the whole modern world, or at any rate the whole…
““But the whole modern world, or at any rate the whole modern Press, has a perpetual and consuming terror of plain morals. Men always attempt to avoid condemning a thing upon merely moral grounds...Why on earth do the newspapers, in describing a dynamite outrage or any other political assassination, call it a "dastardly outrage" or a cowardly outrage? It is perfectly evident that it is not dastardly in the least. It is perfectly evident that it is about as cowardly as the Christians going to the lions. The man who does it exposes himself to the chance of being torn in pieces by two thousand people. What the thing is, is not cowardly, but profoundly and detestably wicked. The man who does it is very infamous and very brave. But, again, the explanation is that our modern Press would rather appeal to physical arrogance, or to anything, rather than appeal to right and wrong.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Media sensationalism replaces moral language with dramatic labels, obscuring true ethical judgment.
In simple terms: Media uses drama instead of moral clarity.
Key Takeaway
Demand precise moral language in reporting.
Themes
media criticism
ethics
language
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- political reporting
- news commentary
- public discourse
Key Concepts
sensationalism
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do outlets favor sensational labels?
- How can readers discern true moral implications?
A Different Perspective
Dramatic terms may mislead public perception.