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Arthur dent Quote by Douglas Adams

“It comes from a very ancient democracy, you see..." "You mean, it comes from a world of lizards?" "No," said Ford, who by this time was a little more rational and coherent than he had been, having finally had the coffee forced down him, "nothing so simple. Nothing anything like so straightforward…” quote by Douglas Adams
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““It comes from a very ancient democracy, you see..." "You mean, it comes from a world of lizards?" "No," said Ford, who by this time was a little more rational and coherent than he had been, having finally had the coffee forced down him, "nothing so simple. Nothing anything like so straightforward. On its world, the people are people. The leaders are lizards. The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people." "Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy." "I did," said Ford. "It is." "So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't people get rid of the lizards?" "It honestly doesn't occur to them," said Ford. "They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates to the government they want." "You mean they actually vote for the lizards?" "Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course." "But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?" "Because if they didn't vote for a lizard," said Ford, "the wrong lizard might get in. Got any gin?" "What?" "I said," said Ford, with an increasing air of urgency creeping into his voice, "have you got any gin?" "I'll look. Tell me about the lizards." Ford shrugged again. "Some people say that the lizards are the best thing that ever happenned to them," he said. "They're completely wrong of course, completely and utterly wrong, but someone's got to say it." "But that's terrible," said Arthur. "Listen, bud," said Ford, "if I had one Altairian dollar for every time I heard one bit of the Universe look at another bit of the Universe and say 'That's terrible' I wouldn't be sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.””

Douglas Adams

About This Quote

The passage satates a satirical view of democracy where citizens unknowingly empower oppressive elites, mistaking the system for their ideal because of habitual voting and complacency.

In simple terms: Democracy can mask authoritarian rule.

Key Takeaway

Blind voting sustains tyranny.

Themes

political satire power dynamics cognitive bias illusion of choice authoritarianism

Mood

ironic cynical wry

Type

dialogue satire philosophical

When to use this quote

  • citizens voting for corrupt leaders
  • people accepting oppressive regimes
  • voters assuming their vote reflects desires
  • public complacency toward bad governance

Key Concepts

democratic illusion elite control voter apathy rationalization

Practical Applications

  • political commentary
  • civic education

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do people continue to support systems that harm them?
  • How can awareness change voting behavior?
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