Going into even greater detail:
He said that if you persisted in asking them about their initial critical comments, on a matter or person that they would then continue to speak of the subject in that vein. But as soon as you would cease referring to their opening negative statement – so would they.
He says that this first response criticism and dread is not just individual, but public;
that it is the headlines in all newspapers and broadcasts; in the titles of movies and books, even of scientific papers;. He says that based on the audible surface, the whole population would appear to live in a constant state of critical outrage and dread, and yet when you speak at any length to them individually and observe their everyday personal lives, the biting criticism and fear is not present. It only shows itself when one of them is specifically asked what he thinks about such-and-such person, or idea, and then seems instantly forgotten about, if not verbally pursued by their conversational partner.
He says that he has been asked his opinion as regards the purpose of this, (inexplicable to us), phenomena by a race so otherwise similar to us. But he says he has always refused to thereto respond. He says he has certainly given the matter extensive analysis, (burning up the better part of several decades, he confides), and admits he has a perspective of the affair which fits all of the facts, and with which he is satisfied.
Even after offering to go after additional refreshments, he declined to reveal his view, saying that it would not be profitable to anyone else but him. He insisted that you could discover for yourself the reality of what is going on with those weird people on that far away world, (not so weird and not so far away), by a most surprising route.
He picked up and killed the last beer – stood – and in conclusion said:
“Look at yourself.
Man! Did anybody see THAT one coming! Whew!!