“The press is a gang of cruel faggots Journalism is not a profession or a trade; it is a cheap catch-all for f****d-up drunks and misfits-a false doorway to the backside of life, a filthy piss-ridden little hole nailed off by the building inspector, but just deep enough for a wino to curl up from the sidewalk and masturbate like a chimp in a zoo-cage”
— Hunter S. Thompson
Simplified Meaning:
This quote criticizes the state of journalism, harshly suggesting that it is filled with troubled individuals and isn’t a respectable career. It compares the field to a dirty, hidden place where undesirable behavior happens. Just like a neglected alley might attract people with nowhere else to go, the author sees journalism as attracting people with problems who don't fit in elsewhere. The imagery used makes it clear that the author feels news reporting is not taken seriously and is filled with people who aren't doing meaningful work. To apply this to one’s life, one might be encouraged to critically evaluate the careers or institutions they depend on and question how reputable and impactful those fields truly are. It also serves as a reminder to strive for integrity and purpose in one’s own work, avoiding paths that might seem disreputable or unfulfilling.
