Meaning: Norman Mailer, an American novelist, essayist, and journalist, is known for his thought-provoking and often controversial commentary on American society and culture. The quote "Each day a few more lies eat into the seed with which we are born, little institutional lies from the print of newspapers, the shock waves of television, and the sentimental cheats of the movie screen" encapsulates Mailer's skepticism about the pervasive influence of media and the impact of falsehoods on human perception and understanding.

In this quote, Mailer suggests that from the moment of our birth, we are exposed to a barrage of falsehoods and distortions through various forms of media. He uses the metaphor of a seed, symbolizing the purity and potential of human existence at birth, which is gradually eroded and corrupted by the lies and deceit propagated by institutions such as newspapers, television, and the movie industry. Mailer's use of the term "institutional lies" implies that these falsehoods are not merely isolated incidents but are perpetuated and reinforced by established societal structures.

The reference to "the print of newspapers" highlights the role of traditional print media in disseminating misinformation and manipulating public opinion. Mailer suggests that newspapers, often regarded as purveyors of objective truth, are in fact complicit in perpetuating lies that gradually erode the integrity of the individual and society as a whole. Similarly, the "shock waves of television" allude to the powerful impact of televised media on shaping public consciousness and disseminating distorted narratives. Mailer implies that television, through its sensationalism and selective representation of reality, contributes to the erosion of truth and the proliferation of falsehoods.

Furthermore, Mailer's indictment of "the sentimental cheats of the movie screen" underscores his belief that the film industry, often associated with entertainment and escapism, is also culpable in distorting the perceptions and values of its audience. By portraying contrived and idealized versions of reality, movies contribute to the erosion of authenticity and the perpetuation of deceitful narratives. Mailer's characterization of these falsehoods as "sentimental cheats" suggests that they manipulate emotions and exploit the vulnerabilities of the human psyche, further reinforcing the erosion of truth within society.

Overall, Mailer's quote serves as a poignant critique of the pervasive influence of media in shaping our understanding of the world and the gradual erosion of truth through the dissemination of lies and deceit. It reflects his profound skepticism about the integrity of institutional narratives and the impact of media on the human psyche. The quote encourages readers to critically examine the information they encounter and to be vigilant in discerning the truth amidst the web of falsehoods perpetuated by various forms of media.