Attention Quote by Don DeLillo
“Only a catastrophe gets our attention. We want them, we depend on them. As long as they happen somewhere else. This is where California comes in. Mud slides, brush fires, coastal erosion, mass killings, et cetera. We can relax and enjoy these disasters because in our hearts we feel that California deserves whatever it gets. Californians invented the concept of life-style. This alone warrants their doom.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: White Noise, 1985
Society often becomes desensitized to distant catastrophes, allowing complacency while local suffering continues
In simple terms: People ignore far‑away disasters, focusing on local comfort
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address distant suffering too
Themes
indifference
media
environmentalism
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
social commentary
satire
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- policy advocacy
- community preparedness
Key Concepts
disaster fatigue
social responsibility
ethical complacency
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media shape our concern for distant crises?
- What responsibilities do we have toward others' suffering?
A Different Perspective
Comfort can blind us to broader impacts
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