Latter-day capitalism. Like it or not, it's the society we…
““Latter-day capitalism. Like it or not, it's the society we live in. Even the standard of right and wrong has been subdi-vided, made sophisticated. Within good, there's fashionable good and unfash-ionable good, and ditto for bad. Within fashionable good, there's formal and then there's casual; there's hip, there's cool, there's trendy, there's snobbish. Mix 'n' match. Like pulling on a Missoni sweater over Trussardi slacks and Pollini shoes, you can now enjoy hybrid styles of morality. It's the way of the world—philosophy starting to look more and more like business administration. Although I didn't think so at the time, things were a lot simpler in 1969. All you had to do to express yourself was throw rocks at riot police. But with today's sophistication, who's in a position to throw rocks? Who's going to brave what tear gas? C'mon, that's the way it is. Everything is rigged, tied into that massive capital web, and beyond this web there's another web. Nobody's going anywhere. You throw a rock and it'll come right back at you.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Contemporary morality is fragmented and fashionable, mixing styles like clothing; true dissent is risky, and the system feels inescapable.
In simple terms: Modern ethics are mixed and commercialized, making genuine protest difficult.
Key Takeaway
Recognize moral complexity, seek authentic values beyond trends.
Themes
capitalism
morality
fashion
political activism
social critique
Mood
analytical
skeptical
contemplative
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- consumer choices
- political discourse
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
sociology
philosophy
economics
Questions to Reflect On
- What values remain unchanged for you?
- How can you act authentically within a hybrid moral landscape?
A Different Perspective
Simplifying morality can aid clarity; complexity may cause paralysis.