For a culture that has such a problem with death, we seem to deal with it in a quite bizarre way. We see people shot, killed and blown up, and we find it funny and sexy and all those things. But, the reality of it is that every day people die, and people are really sad and they grieve and they go through a really difficult process with it.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the contrast between society's trivialization of death and the profound sorrow it brings to individuals.
Michael Sheen critiques societal attitudes towards death, suggesting that while we often portray death in a sensationalized and humorous way, the reality is that it brings deep sadness and grieving to those affected. He underscores the disconnect between the cultural fascination with violence and the genuine emotional pain experienced in the face of loss.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the portrayal of violence in media.
I find increasingly that the more extreme are the things going on in your life, the more cultural reference points fail you. More mythical reference points actually help, and you realise that's what myths are for. It's for human beings to process their experience in extremis.
Stories have always been the things that entertain me and make me feel happy and sad and move me and give me the experience of being able to live many lives in one lifetime. It's the best thing about being alive.
When I was at drama school, I wanted to change the world, and thought I had some great wisdom to impart to people about humanity. Now that I'm older, I know enough to realise that I know nothing at all.
The law of violence is not a law, but a simple fact which can only be a law when it does not meet with protest and opposition. It is like the cold, darkness and weight, which people had to put up with until recently when warmth, illumination and leverage were discovered.
Vastly more important than all questions with regard to methods of preaching is the root question as to what it is that shall be preached.
Men do not care how nobly they live, but only how long, although it is within the reach of every man to live nobly, but within no man's power to live long.
Amidst the rush of worldly comings and goings, I observe how all endings become beginnings
Freedom of speech...Freedom of worship...Freedom from want...Freedom from fear.
The Darwinian movement has made no difference to mankind, except that, instead of talking unphilosophically about philosophy, they now talk unscientifically about science.
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