In "Herzog," Saul Bellow reflects on society's fascination with extreme and catastrophic events. He suggests that as the middle class expands and life becomes more secure and predictable, there is a growing hunger for intense and dramatic experiences. This craving often overshadows a preference for more mundane realities, indicating a collective desire for excitement over stability.

Bellow points out that people are drawn to sensational stories of disasters, violence, and turmoil, while the ordinary truths of everyday life feel inadequate. This tendency reveals an underlying cultural shift away from valuing simplicity and accuracy in favor of more visceral and thrilling narratives.