Activism Quote by Paul Auster
““(...) Taking the journalist's vow of impartiality and objectivity was not unlike joining an order of monks and spending the rest of your life in a glass monastery - removed from the world of human affairs even as it continued to whirl around you on all sides. To be a journalist meant you could never be the person who tossed the brick through the window that started the revolution. You could only watch the man toss the brick, you could try to understand why he had tossed the brick, you could explain to others what significance the brick had in starting the revolution, but you yourself could never toss the brick or even stand in the mob that was urging the man to throw it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: In the Land of Invisible Women, 2008
Journalists must remain observers, detached from direct action, preserving objectivity while witnessing events.
In simple terms: Reporters stay neutral, watching without joining.
Key Takeaway
Maintain distance to preserve truth.
Themes
objectivity
detachment
responsibility
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- newsrooms
- conflict zones
- political protests
- courtrooms
Key Concepts
journalism
ethics
observer role
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance truth with involvement?
- Can true neutrality exist?
A Different Perspective
Objectivity can limit empathy and personal impact.
