Ankles Quote by P. J. O'Rourke
“We're told cars cause pollution. A hundred years ago city streets were ankle deep in horse excrement. What kind of pollution do you want? Would you rather die of cancer at eighty or typhoid fever at nine?”
About This Quote
Highlights the trade‑offs in environmental risks, arguing that modern pollution is less lethal than historic sanitary hazards.
In simple terms: Comparing modern and historic health threats.
Key Takeaway
Context matters in assessing danger.
Themes
environmental ethics
risk perception
historical comparison
public health
policy trade‑offs
Mood
ironic
provocative
skeptical
Type
rhetorical
comparative
polemic
When to use this quote
- urban planning debates
- environmental regulation discussions
- public health education
- historical retrospectives
Key Concepts
pollution
disease
longevity
technology
Practical Applications
- policy impact
- risk communication
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria should guide our evaluation of environmental risks?
- How do we balance present comforts with future health outcomes?
