Many people would no more think of entering journalism than the sewage business - which at least does us all some good.
Interpretation
Journalism is often undervalued and seen as less noble compared to other professions.
In this quote, Stephen Fry humorously highlights how some people perceive journalism as an undesirable profession, likening it to the sewage business. He suggests that just as sewage management is essential for society, journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse, even if it lacks the prestige associated with other fields.
In practice
During a panel discussion on the importance of media, one might reference this quote to introduce the value of journalism.
I used many times to touch my own chest and feel, under its asthmatic quiver, the engine of the heart and lungs and blood and feel amazed at what I sensed was the enormity of the power I possessed. Not magical power, but real power. The power simply to go on, the power to endure, that is power enough, but I felt I had also the power to create, to add, to delight, to amaze and to transform.
To be human and to be adult means constantly to be in the grip of opposing emotions, to have daily to reconcile apparently conflicting tensions. I want this, but need that. I cherish this, but I adore its opposite too.
There comes a time when the blankness of the future is just so extreme, it's like such a black wall of nothingness. Not of bad things like a cave full of monsters and so, you're afraid of entering it. It's just nothingness, the void, emptiness and it is just horrible. It's like contemplating a future-less future and so you just want to step out of it. The monstrosity of being alive overwhelms you.
As someone who worked hard for a Labour victory in the 90s, do I regret it? Not really. It was bound to happen. And it'll happen with the next government, and the one after it. Because all governments serve us. They serve the filth.
It's now very common to hear people say 'I'm rather offended by that'.
You can't just say there is a God because well, the world is beautiful. You have to account for bone cancer in children. You have to account for the fact that almost all animals in the wild live under stress with not enough to eat and will die violent and bloody deaths. There is not any way that you can just choose the nice bits and say that means there is a God and ignore the true fact of what nature is.
You can tell how smart people are by what they laugh at.
My life had made me funny, and cancer wasn't going to change that.
Never miss a party...good for the nerves--like celery.
Is the chemical aftertaste the reason why people eat hot dogs, or is it some kind of bonus?
You spend so much time in the world of virtual that the actual - which nothing is more actual than stand-up - it's a painful experience for the audience, and the comedian a lot of time - we miss that.
It's hard to be humble, when you're as great as I am.
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