I'm reminded of what Woodrow Wilson wrote:

Since I entered politics, I have chiefly had men's views confided to me privately. Some of the biggest men in the United States, in the field of commerce and manufacture, are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.

So, you know, "Hey everybody, it's just an odd simile so calm down. I don't know nothing. And I'm not suicidal!"