We are all so guilty at the way we have allowed the world around us to become more ugly and tasteless every year that we surrender to terror and steep ourselves in it.
In the quote from Norman Mailer's book "In the Belly of the Beast: Letters From Prison," he reflects on society's complicity in allowing the deterioration of aesthetic and moral standards. He suggests that people have become complacent, accepting a world that grows increasingly unappealing and devoid of taste. This surrender to negativity contributes to a culture saturated with fear and despair.
Mailer critiques the collective mindset that prioritizes apathy over engagement, leading to a deterioration in both our environment and values. By recognizing and confronting these issues, individuals can begin to reclaim a sense of beauty and purpose in their lives and surroundings, rather than succumbing to a culture of terror and ugliness.
