"They believe what they say..." Octavia Butler

[sfwriter]

I got a real treat a decade ago to study under Octavia Butler.

She delivered a speech on the politics of the right, which even then was unhitching from reality.


"I've asked myself how can they believe such things, things so easy to prove false?" she said. "What I have realized is this:

We repeat what we hear. After all, if it caught our interest, it must be worth repeating.

Having said it, we defend what we have said. After all, if we said it, it must be fact.

Having defended it, we believe it. After all, we were defending it."


This has stuck with me for more than ten years.


Their beliefs used to be about the Free Market Fairy that would create jobs out of money that instead sent jobs overseas. Their beliefs used to be about their superior work ethic, morality, or family values in the face of their overwhelming base and fallible humanity.

Now they are working on the repetition that our nation is doomed. They want their country back. I really hate to think what they are teaching themselves to believe now, and the price we'll pay for it.

[villager]

1. From the woman who correctly predicted the course of things in "Parable of the Sower!"

n/t

[raccoon]

6. "Parable of the Sower" is a must read if you haven't already read it. nt

[uppityperson]

2. k&r for a woman who could see clearly. I envy you and miss her. Add to that

that people are emotional creatures who look for "facts" to back how they feel. The Big Lie and emotions.

[Hekate]

3. Octavia Butler is one of my favorite writers, a very wise and deep woman...

... who knew human nature intimately. She was right about this.

I too am jealous that you got to study with her. Lucky you!

Hekate

[Solly Mack]

4. k/r

[pinboy3niner]

5. K&R

[raccoon]

7. Another great book of hers is "Kindred." If anyone is under the impression that slavery

wasn't that bad, this book will dispel that notion.

[CanonRay]

8. I'm saving that quote.

Thanks! :fistbump: