A federated disgust, a galaxy of scorn. Us with our busy, busy little lives, finding no better way to pass our years than in competitive disdain.
The quote from Iain M. Banks' "Consider Phlebas" reflects a sense of collective aversion and disdain among individuals consumed by their busy lives. It points to a societal tendency to engage in competition against each other through contempt rather than camaraderie or cooperation.
This observation reveals a deeper commentary on human behavior, suggesting that people often occupy themselves with trivial pursuits that foster division instead of unity. These competitive feelings create a landscape filled with negative emotions, leaving little room for genuine connection or understanding.