Zakalwe, in all the human societies we have ever reviewed, in every age and every state, there has seldom if ever been a shortage of eager young males prepared to kill and die to preserve the security, comfort and prejudices of their elders, and what you call heroism is just an expression of this simple fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots.' He
The quote from Iain M. Banks' "Use of Weapons" reflects a poignant critique of societal norms regarding war and heroism. It suggests that throughout history, young men have been readily available to fight and sacrifice themselves for the entrenched beliefs and comforts of their older generations. This highlights a troubling aspect of human nature and society's acceptance of conflict as a means to uphold the status quo.
Banks' assertion points to the often misguided glorification of heroism, framing it as a byproduct of societal manipulation rather than an inherent virtue. He implies that rather than true bravery or noble cause, many young individuals follow the call to arms due to a lack of critical awareness, underscoring the tragic cycle of violence perpetuated by outdated values and prejudices.
