Building Quote by Fran Lebowitz
“Perhaps one of the more noteworthy trends of our time is the occupation of buildings accompanied by the taking of hostages. The perpetrators of these deeds are generally motivated by political grievance, social injustice, and the deeply felt desire to see how they look on TV.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Observations on Modern Society, 2008, collection of columns
Hostage‑taking in buildings is driven by political and social grievances, seeking media attention and a platform for their cause.
In simple terms: Hostage crises aim for publicity and political impact.
Key Takeaway
Address underlying grievances to reduce such acts.
Themes
political conflict
media influence
social injustice
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- political protests
- media coverage
- public safety
- policy making
- social activism
Key Concepts
terrorism
public spectacle
psychology of attention
Questions to Reflect On
- What root causes lead to such extreme actions?
- How can media responsibly cover these events?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex motivations and ignore non‑political factors.
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