A change in the form of government, why should that make a difference in the way he lived? - Kim Stanley Robinson

Nakedness was dangerous to the social order, she thought, because it revealed too much reality.

In this case the problem was simply death. A quick decline indeed. And given the nature of life and of time, this was a problem that no living organism would ever truly solve. Postponements, yes; solutions, no. “Reality itself is mortal,” he said.

“Have you told her that?”
“You bet I have, but Hiroko only listens to me when I say things she wants to hear.” He cackled. “Same as with everyone, right?”