In Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here," the author critiques a society that moves quickly yet lacks direction or purpose. He describes people who, despite their rapid pace, are uninspired and content with a shallow existence, relying on superficial sources for entertainment and ideas. This raises a concern about cultural stagnation and the absence of genuine intellectual engagement.

Lewis highlights how individuals settle for easy access to music and phrases from popular culture rather than seeking meaning from great literature or historical texts. He emphasizes the dangers of complacency and how the trivialization of profound thought leads to a disconnected and uninspired populace, symbolized by the term "Pap-fed flabs." This serves as a warning against the perils of mediocrity in society.