"In the street, the gaze of desire is furtive or menacing"
- Mason Cooley
About this Quote
Mason Cooley's quote speaks with the power dynamics of the general public sphere. The "street" is a place of possible danger, where the gaze of desire can be either furtive or enormous. The furtive gaze suggests a sense of embarassment or worry, as if the desire is something to be concealed away. The enormous gaze, on the other hand, suggests a sense of power and control, as if the desire is something to be taken by force. This quote speaks with the power characteristics of the general public sphere, where the gaze of desire can be either a source of fear or a source of power. It also speaks with the concept that desire can be both a source of pleasure and a source of danger. In the general public sphere, the look of desire can be both a source of enjoyment and a source of threat, depending upon the context and the power characteristics at play.
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