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Ask anyone committed to Marxist analysis how many angels on the head of a pin, and you will be asked in return to never mind the angels, tell me who controls the production of pins.
Joan Didion
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote critiques the tendency to focus on abstract philosophical questions rather than practical, real-world concerns.

Joan Didion's quote reflects a critique of intellectual debates that prioritize esoteric questions over tangible issues. By using the metaphor of angels on the head of a pin, Didion highlights the absurdity of discussing irrelevant topics while ignoring the pressing matters of power and control in society, specifically the production and economic structures that affect people's lives. It suggests that a practical approach to understanding the world is more valuable than indulging in theoretical distractions.

Themes

PhilosophyMarxismProductionSocial ControlPracticalityRelevance

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about economic inequality, you might use this quote to emphasize the need to focus on who wields power in society.

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