Human beings are pattern-seeking animals who will prefer even a bad theory or a conspiracy theory to no theory at all.
Interpretation
Humans naturally seek explanations or patterns, even preferring flawed ones over uncertainty.
This quote by Christopher Hitchens highlights the inherent nature of humans to look for explanations and patterns in the world around them. When faced with ambiguity or a lack of understanding, people are often inclined to adopt even incorrect theories, including conspiracy theories, in a desperate attempt to make sense of their experiences and the complexities of life.
In practice
In a discussion about social media misinformation, one could say, 'As Christopher Hitchens observed, human beings are pattern-seeking animals who will prefer even a bad theory or a conspiracy theory to no theory at all.'
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way β because itβs had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But youβve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
I think nighttime is dark so you can imagine your fears with less distraction.
Humans are producers of their life circumstance not just products of them.
I would say that the thrust of my life has been initially about getting free, and then realizing that my freedom is not independent of everybody else. Then I am arriving at that circle where one works on oneself as a gift to other people so that one doesn't create more suffering. I help people as a work on myself and I work on myself to help people.
I do think the patriotic thing to do is to critique my country. How else do you make a country better but by pointing out its flaws?
My view is different from this, only to the extent that if a decision is taken, by the parents and doctors, that it is better that a baby should die, I believe it should be possible to carry out that decision, not only by withholding or withdrawing life-support - which can lead to the baby dying slowly from dehydration or from an infection - but also by taking active steps to end the baby's life swiftly and humanely.
The cry has been that when war is declared, all opposition should be hushed. A sentiment more unworthy of a free country could hardly be propagated.
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