Uncle sam Quote by James Tiptree Jr
““Bethesda … Would I be wrong in guessing you work for Uncle Sam?" "Why, yes. You must be very familiar with Washington, Mr. Fenton. Does your work bring you there often?" Anywhere but on our sandbar the little ploy would have worked. My hunter's gene twitches. "Which agency are you with?" She gives up gracefully. "Oh, just GSA records. I'm a librarian." Of course. I know her now, all the Mrs. Parsonses in records divisions, accounting sections, research branches, personnel and administration offices. Tell Mrs. Parsons we need a recap on the external service contracts for fiscal '73. - 'The Women Men Don't See””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Women Men Don’t See”, 1973
A bureaucratic encounter reveals how official records can mask true identities and motives.
In simple terms: Paperwork can hide reality.
Key Takeaway
Question the authenticity behind official titles.
Themes
bureaucracy
identity
power
deception
Mood
skeptical
curious
Type
literary
dialogue
When to use this quote
- government audits
- library research
- contract reviews
- personal investigations
Key Concepts
information control
social engineering
institutional trust
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify the truth behind a title?
- What biases influence bureaucratic interactions?
A Different Perspective
Official records may be incomplete or misleading.
