I had the feeling that all over America such stupid arguments were taking place on street corners and in bars and restaurants. All over America, people were pulling credentials out of their pockets and sticking them under someone else's nose to prove they had been somewhere or done something. And I thought someday everyone in America will suddenly jump up and say "I don't take any shit!" and start pushing and cursing and clawing at the man next to him.
In William S. Burroughs' "And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks," the author reflects on a pervasive culture of petty arguments occurring across America. These disputes, often emerging in public spaces like street corners and bars, suggest a society fixated on credentials and validation, with individuals competing to prove their experiences and accomplishments. This creates a toxic atmosphere of one-upmanship where personal worth is tied to demonstrating superiority over others.
Burroughs envisions a tipping point where frustration culminates in chaos, with people rising up against each other in a wave of anger and defiance. The phrase "I don't take any shit!" captures the essence of this rebellion against conformity and societal expectations. This sentiment implies a collective yearning for authenticity and a rejection of the superficial standards that have come to dominate interactions, emphasizing the strain beneath the surface of social civility in America.