We take for granted the need to escape the self. Yet the self can also be a refuge. In totalitarian countries the great hunger is for private life. Absorption in the minutiae of an individual existence is the only refuge from the apocalyptic madhouse staged by maniacal saviors of humanity.

Summary

This quote highlights the contrasting perspectives on the self and the need to escape it. While it is often assumed that we need to distance ourselves from our own thoughts and problems, the quote suggests that the self can also provide solace. In repressive societies, the desire for individual privacy becomes imperative as it offers protection from the chaos orchestrated by tyrannical figures claiming to save humanity. Engrossing oneself in the details of personal life becomes the only means of seeking respite from the oppressive regime.

Topics