As people get more desperate, history suggests that they're not going to rise in a mighty proletarian tidal wave and wash away their oppressors. They're gonna turn on each other.

The quote "As people get more desperate, history suggests that they're not going to rise in a mighty proletarian tidal wave and wash away their oppressors. They're gonna turn on each other," by Alan Moore, offers a grim view of societal uprisings. Moore is suggesting that when people face increasing desperation due to oppression or inequality, they are unlikely to unite in a collective revolution against their oppressors. Instead, history shows that such desperate situations often lead to internal conflict, where the oppressed turn against one another rather than confronting the systems or figures that maintain their suffering.

Moore, a renowned comic book writer and graphic novelist known for works like V for Vendetta and Watchmen, often explores themes of power, resistance, and societal dynamics. His quote reflects his belief that, in practice, the frustrations of oppressed groups tend to fracture into infighting and division, rather than a unified resistance against those in power. This mirrors the struggles he depicted in his stories, where movements for justice often become corrupted or fail due to fractures within the group or external manipulation.

The origin of this quote stems from Moore's broader skepticism about idealized revolutionary movements. His works often question the effectiveness of uprisings and the true nature of freedom and justice. Moore’s statement is not just about political struggles but about the nature of humanity itself. It highlights a pattern where social or economic desperation breeds internal conflict, as people turn against each other instead of focusing on the root causes of their suffering.

Ultimately, Moore’s quote underscores the tragic reality of many revolutions and societal breakdowns: rather than uniting in a fight against common oppressors, desperation often leads to internal division. It serves as a reminder that achieving real change requires overcoming internal divides and focusing collective energy on addressing the root causes of oppression, rather than letting that desperation destroy solidarity.