Air Quote by Norman Mailer
“We are close to dead. There are faces and bodies like gorged maggots on the dance floor, on the highway, in the city, in the stadium; they are a host of chemical machines who swallow the product of chemical factories, aspirin, preservatives, stimulant, relaxant, and breathe out their chemical wastes into a polluted air. The sense of a long last night over civilization is back again.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Deadly City” (magazine, 1972)
A vivid critique of modern society’s chemical overload, depicting humanity as polluted, mechanized beings.
In simple terms: Society is chemically polluted and dehumanized.
Key Takeaway
Seek healthier environments and conscious consumption.
Themes
pollution
industrialization
dehumanization
chemical exposure
urban decay
Mood
critical
somber
Type
essay
analytical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- policy making
- personal lifestyle
- education
Key Concepts
environmental critique
social commentary
public health
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can you take to reduce chemical exposure?
- How can societies shift toward sustainable living?
A Different Perspective
Change is slow and requires collective action.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)