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Kate's avatar

“And those of us who set store by ideas and ideals have never been quite able to learn that just because they do have power nowadays, there is a direct connection between their power and another kind of power, the old, unabashed, cynical power of force. We are always being surprised by this.” Lionel Trilling, Introduction to Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell.

As a general reader, when I read the above for the first time, it was like an earthquake shook my world. I thought, Of course! This explains why, as an idealist I am always disappointed. The “cynical power of force” is ever-present.

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Amie McGraham's avatar

Wow. Your words and sentiment are incredibly moving and perfect and relatable as I ploddingly research and draft a bio-memoir on three generations of female foodwriters in my family (my grandmother, mother and now, myself).

You matter.

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