Doing the right thing Quote by Sarah Vowell
““Since the lunchroom does no significant harm to the caverns' ecology, I'd like to believe that this is one of those lucky places where we don't have to choose between doing the right thing and enjoying a goof. I look up at the ceiling of the lunchroom, which is, of course, the ceiling of the cave. It looks so lunar I can't help but think of a certain astronaut. In 1971, Apollo 14's Alan Shepard hit golf balls on the moon. Gearing up to face the profundity of the universe, this man brought sporting goods with him into space. Who can blame him? That's what we Americans do when we find a place that's really special. We go there and act exactly like ourselves. And we are a bunch of fun-loving dopes.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell, 2008
Even in places that seem harmless, we often choose enjoyment over ethical reflection, revealing a playful American tendency to treat special sites as backdrops for fun.
In simple terms: People enjoy fun spots without deep moral thought.
Key Takeaway
Balance enjoyment with responsibility.
Themes
ethics
playfulness
culture
environment
human nature
Mood
reflective
lighthearted
critical
Type
observation
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- tourism
- recreation
- environmental decision making
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
American identity
cognitive dissonance
environmental impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile pleasure with stewardship?
- What responsibilities arise in unique natural spaces?
A Different Perspective
Fun can distract from ecological concerns.
![“[If] we can celebrate that in a way that celebrates our love for New England as well as our love for the Italian culture as well as the American culture, then we've done something that's really good and supporting these fishermen who are doing the right thing in sustainability . . . paying…” quote by Mario Batali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1ea/mario-batali-4002_american-culture_if-we-can-celebrate-that-in-a-way-that-c_45806.jpg)