Gilbert Keith Chesterton Quote

"It is the beginning of all true criticism of our time
to realize that it has really nothing to say,
at the very moment when it has invented
so tremendous a trumpet for saying it."

by:	Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936) British essayist, critic, poet, and novelist
Source:	Illustrated London News, 1923
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Categories:	Media, Power, Press, Speech, Technology
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Perhaps some context would help here, but without it I'd have to say, "Not every word spoken is worth quoting."  -- Bryan Morton, Stuart, FL
The roaring twenties, an epoch held under the sway of Republicanism, like most such epochs, (need I mention the Republican epoch of the late 1800's with its graft and corruption) have nothing to say. I dare say that the first decade of the 21st century will eclipse by a long shot the nothingness of the Harding, Coolidge, Hoover years. Let us pray for the coming of a new Camelot.  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas
Silence can be deafening. Perhaps one of our best presidents was Coolidge because he kept quiet and kept out of the way. He let people get on with their business without government interference. That says volumes in itself. However, I am sure that Chesterton, being British, was more concerned with politics in his own back yard. What happened in 1923 in Britain? In 1923 the Labour party was swept into office and formed the first ever Labour government in early 1924 (which fell nine months later when it was found that the Russian communists had instructed the British Communist Party to support Labour). Labour was very sympathetic to the Russian Bolsheviks and wanted to enact many of the same kinds of 'solutions' the Bolsheviks had. Chesterton recognized Communism as saying nothing.  -- Ken, Allyn, WA
Like CNN. Imagine having to fill 24 hours a day with 'news.' The first Gulf War put them on the map, to be followed by the OJ Simpson trial. Bad news sells. That is why they have a new logo and jingle for every disaster and 'war on this' and 'war on that.' Blatant propaganda. It's the same wih those free satellite 'christian' channels. Repeat things enough and people will start to believe it. Broadcasting is programming.  -- E Archer, NYC
Our time has nothing to say? Is the time here referenced an inorganic measurement or, a reference to current affairs? The tremendous trumpet (MSM, governments, technology, etc.) is currently a blare of calling evil good, and good evil; putting darkness for light, and light for darkness; and, putting bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! — A true criticism of our time, where to begin?  -- Mike, Norwalk

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