They are always ill. They vomit their bile and call it a newspaper.
– Friedrich Nietzsche: Of the New Idol
Our Interpretation:
Nietzsche is criticizing how the media often spreads negativity, sensationalism, or biased information. By saying “they vomit their bile,” he implies that journalists and newspapers frequently fill their content with poisonous, harmful ideas and then present it as legitimate news. This quote reflects his disdain for how the media can manipulate public opinion and spread falsehoods.
Context:
This quote comes from Nietzsche’s work “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” specifically the section “Of the New Idol,” where he discusses the flaws of modern society and institutions. Nietzsche often criticized the media, viewing it as a tool that spreads misinformation, sensationalism, and shallow ideas. He believed that the media’s influence could corrupt the minds of individuals, leading them away from truth and independent thinking. This quote is a powerful expression of Nietzsche’s belief that the media often serves as a source of negativity rather than enlightenment.