America Quote by Umberto Eco
“The ideology of this America wants to establish reassurance through Imitation. But profit defeats ideology, because the consumers want to be thrilled not only by the guarantee of the Good but also by the shudder of the Bad.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Role of the Reader, Umberto Eco, 1979
The quote suggests that consumer culture prefers excitement and risk over comforting certainty, as profit drives desire for both good and bad experiences.
In simple terms: People crave thrills more than safety.
Key Takeaway
Embrace risk, not just comfort.
Themes
consumerism
psychology
culture
risk
profit
Mood
provocative
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
commentary
When to use this quote
- marketing
- entertainment
- product design
- media consumption
- political rhetoric
Key Concepts
postmodernism
desire
thrill-seeking
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize excitement over safety?
- How does profit shape cultural values?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the value of stability and ethical considerations.
![“I don't want to speak for my movies; you could say my movies are just completely silly and dumb, but in the case of 'Idiocracy' and 'Borat,' without a doubt there is a really subversive and sophisticated assault on American culture. It's one thing to mess stuff up and break stuff, but [Borat] is…” quote by Adam McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c9c/adam-mckay-2140_american-culture_i-don-t-want-to-speak-for-my-movies-you_1029915.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
