They say you can't study Kabbalah until you are at least 40 years old. You know why? You have to have experienced at least one generation making the same mistakes as the previous one.
David MametRead
We live in oppressive times. We have, as a nation, become our own thought police; but instead of calling the process by which we limit our expression of dissent and wonder ‘censorship,’ we call it ‘concern for commercial viability.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the self-censorship in society and how it's often disguised as a concern for profits.
David Mamet's quote highlights a critical issue of contemporary society where the suppression of free expression is often reframed as a consideration for commercial interests. It suggests that instead of acknowledging censorship for what it is, society rationalizes limiting dissenting voices and creativity under the guise of maintaining economic viability, thereby becoming complicit in its own oppression.
Themes
CensorshipFreedomExpressionOppressionCommercial ViabilitySociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about artistic freedom and the role of creativity in business.
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