Jean

“On the other hand, Protestantism's shedding away of authority, as evidenced by my mother's proclamation that I needn't go to church or listen to a preacher to achieve salvation, inspires self-reliance - along with a dangerous disregard for expertise. So the impulse that leads to democracy can also be the downside of democracy - namely, a suspicion of people who know what they are talking about. It's why in U.S. presidential elections the American people will elect a wisecracking good ol'boy who's fun in a malt shop instead of a serious thinker who actually knows some of the pompous, brainy stuff that might actually get fewer people laid off or killed.”
― Sarah Vowell

“It is worth noting that the main players in the recomposition project are women—scientists, anthropologists, lawyers, architects. Educated women, who have the privilege to devote their efforts to righting a wrong. They’ve given prominent space in their professional careers to changing the current system of death. Katrina noted that “humans are so focused on preventing aging and decay—it’s become an obsession. And for those who have been socialized female, that pressure is relentless. So decomposition becomes a radical act. It’s a way to say, ‘I love and accept myself.”
― Caitlin Doughty, From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death

“Parents refusing to vaccinate their children are doing something akin to allowing their kids to run about in traffic because they are irrationally afraid of sidewalks or they believe being struck by an oncoming car might be good in the long run.”
― Jennifer Wright, Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them

“The takeaway from this story is that there is really only one thing we should collectively fear ending civilizations. It's not licentious behavior. If the biggest problem in your civilization is people having sex, you are doing great. It isn't even necessarily other countries attacking you because they hate you and all that you stand for. If you've got a big enough army you can fight them off. The real terror is plague. It's waiting out there, somewhere, under the ice or in a jungle. If it strikes and it can't be combatted effectively, it can take down an empire.”
― Jennifer Wright