“All the higher life forms scythed away, just like that. [ . . . ] Nothing but dust and fundamentalists.”
In this quote by Terry Pratchett, the author highlights the abrupt and destructive nature of certain events. The image of higher life forms being "scythed away" evokes a sense of sudden and devastating loss, while the mention of "dust and fundamentalists" suggests the aftermath of chaos and destruction. This quote serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of life and the unpredictability of circumstances that can lead to its downfall.
In this quote by Terry Pratchett, the idea of higher life forms being wiped out, leaving only dust and fundamentalists, can be seen as a metaphor for the destruction of intellectualism and critical thinking in society today. The dismissal of science, education, and rational thought in favor of dogmatic beliefs can have detrimental consequences for progress and innovation. Emphasizing the importance of valuing knowledge and open-mindedness, this quote serves as a warning against the dangers of closed-mindedness and ignorance.
The quote by Terry Pratchett illustrates the sudden disappearance of advanced life forms, leaving only dust and fundamentalists behind. This serves as a commentary on the fragility of higher life forms in the face of unforeseen events.
Reflecting on Terry Pratchett's quote, "All the higher life forms scythed away, just like that. [ . . . ] Nothing but dust and fundamentalists," consider the following questions to deepen your understanding of the profound message behind these words.
“...the little man's total obliviousness to all forms of danger somehow made danger so discouraged that it gave up and went away.”
“Vimes' meeting with the Patrician ended as all such meetings did, with the guest going away in possession of an unfocused yet very nagging suspicion that he'd only just escaped with his life.”
“Some things are fairly obvious when it's a seven-foot skeleton with a scythe telling you them”
“Stories don't care who takes part in them. All that matters is that the story gets told, that the story repeats. Or, if you prefer to think of it like this: stories are a parasitical life form, warping lives in the service only of the story itself.”
“Although the scythe isn't pre-eminent among the weapons of war, anyone who has been on the wrong end of, say, a peasants' revolt will know that in skilled hands it is fearsome.”
“And there was nothing you could do about a woman like that. She just turned herself into a hammer and you ran right into her.”