--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we hope to stem the mass destruction…" description: "\"If we hope to stem the mass destruction that inevitably attends our economic system (and to alter the sense of entitlement - the sense of contempt, the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/derrick-jensen-2824_behavior_if-we-hope-to-stem-the-mass-destruction_1013993.png" --- # If we hope to stem the mass destruction that inevitably… ![“If we hope to stem the mass destruction that inevitably attends our economic system (and to alter the sense of entitlement - the sense of contempt, the hatred - on which it is based), fundamental historical, social, economic, and technological forces need to be pondered, understood, and…” quote by Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/derrick-jensen-2824_behavior_if-we-hope-to-stem-the-mass-destruction_1013993.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/derrick-jensen-2824_behavior_if-we-hope-to-stem-the-mass-destruction_1013993.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a59/derrick-jensen-2824_behavior_if-we-hope-to-stem-the-mass-destruction_1013993.png) > “If we hope to stem the mass destruction that inevitably attends our economic system (and to alter the sense of entitlement - the sense of contempt, the hatred - on which it is based), fundamental historical, social, economic, and technological forces need to be pondered, understood, and redirected. Behavior won't change much without a fundamental change in consciousness. The question becomes: How do we change consciousness?” [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must understand and reshape deep societal forces and collective consciousness to curb systemic destruction. **In simple terms:** Change deep forces and mindset to stop harm. Key Takeaway Transform systems and minds together. Themes environment politics economics consciousness activism Mood urgent reflective Type philosophical activist When to use this quote - policy reform - public education - community organizing - media campaigns Key Concepts Systems theory collective psychology structural change Questions to Reflect On - What systemic forces most hinder change? - How can individuals influence collective consciousness? A Different Perspective Changing consciousness is slow and may face resistance from entrenched interests. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Economic system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-system/) [Economic systems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-systems/) [Entitlement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entitlement/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Sense of entitlement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-entitlement/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) ## Related quotes > [I was surrounded by too many people who felt that they had a strong sense of entitlement. That I owed them something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-jackson/i-was-surrounded-by-too-many-people-who-felt-that-they-had-a-strong/) [Curtis Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-jackson/) > [One recipe for happiness is to have to sense of entitlement.' To this she added a star and noted at the bottom of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-bennett/one-recipe-for-happiness-is-to-have-to-sense-of-entitlement-to-this/) [Alan Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-bennett/) > [The school made it very clear that women were entitled to positions of authority. That sense of entitlement allowed us to feel that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-vester/the-school-made-it-very-clear-that-women-were-entitled-to-positions/) [Linda Vester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-vester/) > [“We white folks cling to such an abiding sense of entitlement that when things go amiss, we cannot let go of this tortuously sunny,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-shriver/we-white-folks-cling-to-such-an-abiding-sense-of-entitlement-that/) [Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-shriver/) > [...the divided world of Aspen, where locals with a sense of entitlement were pitted against developers with a sense of condominiums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/the-divided-world-of-aspen-where-locals-with-a-sense-of-entitlement/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“It's been well-documented that there is a growing sense of entitlement among young people. I have certainly seen that in my classrooms. So many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/it-s-been-well-documented-that-there-is-a-growing-sense-of/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [People who take more than their share usually feel an inflated sense of entitlement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-phillips/people-who-take-more-than-their-share-usually-feel-an-inflated-sense/) [Jeanne Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-phillips/) > [I've never had a sense of entitlement. I saw how hard my father worked for his money, and it was always made very clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivanka-trump/i-ve-never-had-a-sense-of-entitlement-i-saw-how-hard-my-father-worked/) [Ivanka Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivanka-trump/) > [There is a mindset that has to be changed - the sense of entitlement of the man. That happens when you are bringing up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharmila-tagore/there-is-a-mindset-that-has-to-be-changed-the-sense-of-entitlement-of/) [Sharmila Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharmila-tagore/) > [“If you want to have a community of people who have both high-quality, long-term relationships and a high sense of personal responsibility, you can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/if-you-want-to-have-a-community-of-people-who-have-both-high-quality/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [My father and mother had no sense of entitlement for their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seamus-heaney/my-father-and-mother-had-no-sense-of-entitlement-for-their-children/) [Seamus Heaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seamus-heaney/) > [“Paul Harvey, a University of New Hampshire professor and GYPSY expert, has researched this, finding that Gen Y has "unrealistic expectations and a strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waitbutwhy-blog/paul-harvey-a-university-of-new-hampshire-professor-and-gypsy-expert/) Waitbutwhy Blog > [ I'm interested in avoiding two types of behaviour \[in my children\]: one is the sense of guilt and the other is a sense of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elkann/i-m-interested-in-avoiding-two-types-of-behaviour-in-my-children-one/) [John Elkann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elkann/) > [I had a Viking sense of entitlement to whatever provisions I could plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/i-had-a-viking-sense-of-entitlement-to-whatever-provisions-i-could/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [Actors devote a lot of our time and energy to the work that we do, but there shouldn't come a sense of entitlement from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-reinhart/actors-devote-a-lot-of-our-time-and-energy-to-the-work-that-we-do-but/) [Lili Reinhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-reinhart/) ## More by Derrick Jensen > [The global industrial economy is the engine for massive environmental degradation and massive human (and nonhuman) impoverishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/the-global-industrial-economy-is-the-engine-for-massive-environmental/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“In sum, one of the primary things I learned was how to kill time. I learned also to wish away my life. I learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/in-sum-one-of-the-primary-things-i-learned-was-how-to-kill-time-i/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“I had broken the most basic commandment of our culture: Thou shalt pretend there is nothing wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/i-had-broken-the-most-basic-commandment-of-our-culture-thou-shalt/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“Someone asked me once at a talk why I so stress the positive with my students yet am such an unstinting critic of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/someone-asked-me-once-at-a-talk-why-i-so-stress-the-positive-with-my/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [If the world is presented as resources to be exploited, then, more than likely, you're going to exploit the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/if-the-world-is-presented-as-resources-to-be-exploited-then-more-than/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [It's no wonder we don't defend the land where we live. We don't live here. We live in television programs and movies and books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/it-s-no-wonder-we-don-t-defend-the-land-where-we-live-we-don-t-live/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“ISOLATION DOES STRANGE THINGS to a person’s mind. This is true for any social creature, human or otherwise. Monkeys taken from their mothers at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/isolation-does-strange-things-to-a-person-s-mind-this-is-true-for-any/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [My great-grandmother grew up in a sod house in Nebraska. When she was a tiny girl - in other words, only four human generations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/my-great-grandmother-grew-up-in-a-sod-house-in-nebraska-when-she-was/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [Where will you drive your own picket stake? Where will you choose to make your stand? Give me a threshold, a specific point at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/where-will-you-drive-your-own-picket-stake-where-will-you-choose-to/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“So often, environmentalists and others working to slow the destruction are capable of plainly describing the problems (Who wouldn’t be? The problems are neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/so-often-environmentalists-and-others-working-to-slow-the-destruction/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [Forests precede us and deserts dog our heels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/forests-precede-us-and-deserts-dog-our-heels/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“The condition of alienation, of being asleep, of being unconscious, of being out of one’s mind, is the condition of the normal man. Society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/the-condition-of-alienation-of-being-asleep-of-being-unconscious-of/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [So many indigenous people have said to me that the fundamental difference between Western and indigenous ways of being is that even the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/so-many-indigenous-people-have-said-to-me-that-the-fundamental/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [When dams were erected on the Columbia, salmon battered themselves against the concrete, trying to return home. I expect no less from us. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/when-dams-were-erected-on-the-columbia-salmon-battered-themselves/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [People say 'what do you mean' when you talk about 'bringing down civilization.' What I really mean is depriving the rich of the ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/people-say-what-do-you-mean-when-you-talk-about-bringing-down/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) [Explore all 149 Derrick Jensen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) ## More Behavior quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) Burne Hogarth > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) J. Willard Gibbs > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I think we've told a lot of lies about human behavior through film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/i-think-we-ve-told-a-lot-of-lies-about-human-behavior-through-film/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/the-strongest-rebellion-may-be-expressed-in-quiet-undramatic-behavior/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 4,218 Behavior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If we hope to stem the mass destruction that inevitably attends our economic system (and to alter the sense of entitlement - the sense of contempt, the hatred - on which it is based), fundamental historical, social, economic, and technological forces need to be pondered, understood, and redirected. Behavior won't change much without a fundamental change in consciousness. 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