Olive oil Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
““The Earthlings did very well on paper. That was part of the rigging, of course. And religion got mixed up in it, too. The news ticker reminded them that the President of the United States had declared National Prayer Week, and that everybody should pray. The Earthlings had had a bad week on the market before that. They had lost a small fortune in olive oil futures. So they gave praying a whirl.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Earthlings” (fictional excerpt), 1970s
People turn to ritual when markets fail, hoping superstition will restore confidence.
In simple terms: Praying is used as a coping mechanism.
Key Takeaway
Question reliance on faith during crises.
Themes
economics
faith
psychology
crisis response
Mood
cynical
satirical
Type
social commentary
humor
When to use this quote
- stock market crashes
- economic downturns
- political speeches
- media influence
Key Concepts
behavioral economics
social coping mechanisms
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies mix religion with economics?
- Can faith replace sound policy?
A Different Perspective
Superstition may not address underlying problems.
![“Thomas Jefferson High School [..] His high school was named after a slave owner who was also one of the world’s greatest theoreticians on the subject of human liberty.” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73a/kurt-vonnegut-41_freedom_thomas-jefferson-high-school-his-high-sc_9727.jpg)
