You live in a deranged age, more deranged that usual, because in spite of great scientific and technological advances, man has not the faintest idea of who he is or what he is doing.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the existential confusion of humanity, despite advancements in science and technology.
Walker Percy articulates a profound concern about modern society's disconnection from self-awareness and purpose. He suggests that, although we have made remarkable progress in scientific and technological fields, we remain fundamentally lost regarding our identity and the meaning of our actions. This reflects a paradox where material advancements do not translate to an understanding of the human condition.
In practice
During a lecture on existential philosophy, this quote can be used to illustrate the dissonance between technology and human understanding.
They all think any minute I'm going to commit suicide. What a joke. The truth of course is the exact opposite: suicide is the only thing that keeps me alive. Whenever everything else fails, all I have to do is consider suicide and in two seconds I'm as cheerful as a nitwit. But if I could not kill myself -- ah then, I would. I can do without nembutal or murder mysteries but not without suicide.
It is possible, however, that the artist is both thin-skinned and prophetic and, like the canary lowered into the mine shaft to test the air, has caught a whiff of something lethal.
Why is it that one can look at a lion or a planet or an owl or at someone's finger as long as one pleases, but looking into the eyes of another person is, if prolonged past a second, a perilous affair?
We love those who know the worst of us and don't turn their faces away.
Before, I wandered as a diversion. Now I wander seriously and sit and read as a diversion.
Since grief only aggravates your loss, grieve not for what is past.
This personal freedom to think and feel and speak authentically and to be conscious of so doing is the quality that distinguishes us as human.
The world doesn't understand me and I don't understand the world, that's why I've withdrawn from it.
Every man is somebody because he is a child of God.
This rule of silence is upheld when the culture refuses everyone easy access even to the word “patriarchy.” Most children do not learn what to call this system of institutionaliz ed gender roles, so rarely do we name it in everyday speech. This silence promotes denial. And how can we organize to challenge and change a system that cannot be named?
It's so graceless, being a martyr. It's honoring your adversaries too much.
I was so fortunate to play my club cricket at Moseley Ashfield. We had loads of Asians, white players, black players. You grow up from that knowing it just doesn't matter what religion or culture people are into, everyone is different.
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