At the end of an age, the denizens of the age still profess to believe that they can understand themselves by the theory of the age, yet they behave as if they did not believe it. The surest sign that an age is coming to an end is the paradoxical movement of the most sensitive souls of the age, the artists and writers first, then the youth, in a direction exactly opposite to the direction laid down by the theory of the age.
As an era concludes, its inhabitants cling to the dominant theories to comprehend their existence, yet paradoxically, their actions reveal a disbelief in these very theories. This contradiction highlights a deeper disconnect between the prevailing ideas of the time and the lived experiences of individuals, suggesting a growing awareness of their limitations.
The most sensitive individuals, particularly artists and writers, along with the younger generations, begin to move away from the established theories. Their shift towards alternative perspectives signals an impending change, revealing that the end of an age is marked by a rejection of outdated beliefs and an exploration of new paths that resonate more authentically with their experiences.
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Other quotes in The Message in the Bottle: How Queer Man Is, How Queer Language Is, and What One Has to Do with the Other
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
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