Research- The silence of animal; Book reflections

The silence of animals

Book reflections/Quotes

I began reading this book with very little background knowledge surrounding its contents. Therefore, unlike other references and sources I use, I was more open to not only the opinion of the writer but the information also. The referencing within the book regarding other written sources and history allowed me to form opinion for myself regarding the topic. The philosophical overview of the writing and the subject matter asks questions of humanity's position as an animal. The reflections on our preoccupation resonated with greatly.

'Right in thinking that capitalism contains a potential for self-destruction. Marx was wrong in believing that capitalism would be followed by a more lasting mode of production. Wealth can be created in many kinds of economic systems, but never for long. The human animal consumes what it has produced then moves on' (page 71)

The above quote embodies a lot of what is taking place within current society. There is no more lasting, sustainable model that would replace our current capital growth. The 'animals' that us humans are have many habits and consumption is a modern habit. Breaking these habits is difficult and second to breaking them, reimagining them is even more difficult when many are benefitting from the current state of consumption. However, what strikes me most about the above quote is that we 'move on' and this positive progression isn't taking place; we merely move onto something newer created in the system.

'Greek myths contain truth that modern myths deny, but not all true myths are ancient. Nowadays myths can be practically momentary; transmitted throughout the world by 24 hour news and the internet, they spread virally, entering the minds of tens and hundreds of millions of people in minutes or hours. Are these true myths or mass-manufactured fantasies?' (Page 124)

The concept of myth within society is not something I had considered extensively before. I had considered lies and deceit however the label of myth alters the perception of what is meant by the retrospective 'story'. Modern myth is inseparable from modern life due to the constant engagement with new information. Fake news is an example of this and is something that is increasingly problematic. The myths that are generated through the new technology can not be separated from the reality that has been mobilised by the same technology. Therefore these myths become fully internalised and part of the belief system within humans. Our myths extend further to be labelled as 'fantasy' and there is an entire western world built on myth, other areas of the world suffer for this myth. The rate of consumption regarding such myths is also an issue. The reason they are made so readily and consumed is due to the fact boredom hits quickly and many need growing entertainment in the form of myth. 

'The world is not a creation of language but something that escapes language' (page 145)

'Beauty is vapour from the pit of death' (156)

The words above struck me as integral to what I plan to condense into an essay for this unit within my degree. The relationship between ethics and aesthetics. This quote reduced beauty back to a very natural process of death and the vapour is unseen yet felt and smelt as though a burden to those it may swamp. 

'The need for it (silence) means accepting that you are inwardly restless' (page 161)

Restless's was a theme within this book that has stayed with me and is still influencing my work, writing and thoughts. The idea of silence and restlessness are integral to modern functioning. The busy lifestyle many have now means that the silence is lacking. Is this due to a more or less restless nature. A theory I hold is that this lack of silence may not be a sign of restlessness but a lack of peace with the masses of information absorbed through the modern world's many feeds. 

'When you think of life as a constant state of unrest you want to be disturbed all of the time' (page 161)

As a very busy person this quote felt emotionally charged. The main reason for this is due to the fact I feel many people are unaware of the states that are transient within humans and how far away this is from those of animals. Therefore this disturbance is labelled under many other names and not accepted as a need for meaning. Yet the meaning that has become is ultimately worthless and harmful meaning the unrest is meaningless and all leads toward a lie.