I think that was the single most horrific thing I've seen from him.
Since we're already discussing a novelist, I'll add some (spoken) lyrics[1], from "Sophia" by The Crüxshadows[2]:
"The human animal is a beautiful and terrible creature,
capable of limitless compassion and unfathomable cruelty.
If you wish to find that which becomes the dividing line between
mankind and other biological classifications, it rests not in
brain size, dominance, or even emotional capability. It lies within
the innate capacity for human beings to reflect on their actions
and show regret. It is most certainly the ability to empathize that gives
them their position. All mammals understand love and affection, but
only man shows a propensity to place himself in the shoes of
another life-form. Losing this capability, among individuals of the species
reduces them below their much heralded position
and readies the climate for the likely fall of man.
A fall from grace."
Since we're already discussing a novelist, I'll add some (spoken) lyrics[1], from "Sophia" by The Crüxshadows[2]:
"The human animal is a beautiful and terrible creature, capable of limitless compassion and unfathomable cruelty. If you wish to find that which becomes the dividing line between mankind and other biological classifications, it rests not in brain size, dominance, or even emotional capability. It lies within the innate capacity for human beings to reflect on their actions and show regret. It is most certainly the ability to empathize that gives them their position. All mammals understand love and affection, but only man shows a propensity to place himself in the shoes of another life-form. Losing this capability, among individuals of the species reduces them below their much heralded position and readies the climate for the likely fall of man. A fall from grace."
1. https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858623547/ 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPaUvYPRzrM