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Good grades Quote by John Holloway

“In order to protect our jobs, our visas, our profits, our chances of receiving good grades, our sanity, we pretend not to see, we sanitise our own perception, filtering out the pain, pretending that it is not here but out there, far away, in Africa, in Russia, a hundred years ago, in an otherness…” quote by John Holloway
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““In order to protect our jobs, our visas, our profits, our chances of receiving good grades, our sanity, we pretend not to see, we sanitise our own perception, filtering out the pain, pretending that it is not here but out there, far away, in Africa, in Russia, a hundred years ago, in an otherness that, by being alien, cleanses our own experience of all negativity.””

John Holloway

About This Quote

Source Speech: Public lecture, 2015, unknown venue

People distance themselves from global suffering by imagining it occurs elsewhere, sanitizing their perception to protect personal comfort and status.

In simple terms: We ignore distant pain to feel safe.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and confront distant injustices.

Themes

empathy denial global awareness psychology social responsibility

Mood

reflective concerned

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • education
  • media consumption
  • policy advocacy

Key Concepts

otherism psychological defense mechanisms

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does ignoring distant suffering affect your own values?
  • What steps can you take to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed?
A Different Perspective

Such denial can lead to inaction and moral disengagement.

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