Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

All of this is memorable and timley, but especially this paragraph. The context here is Havel's description of a grocer who refuses to display a sign which says "Workers of the World Unite". This reminds me of so much that is happening in our system today:

The greengrocer has not committed a simple, individual offense, isolated in its own uniqueness, but something incomparably more serious. By breaking the rules of the game, he has disrupted the game as such. He has exposed it as a mere game. He has shattered the world of appearances, the fundamental pillar of the system. He has upset the power structure by tearing apart what holds it together. He has demonstrated that living a lie is living a lie. He has broken through the exalted facade of the system and exposed the real, base foundations of power. He has said that the emperor is naked. And because the emperor is in fact naked, something extremely dangerous has happened: by his action, the greengrocer has addressed the world. He has enabled everyone to peer behind the curtain. He has shown everyone that it is possible to live within the truth. Living within the lie can constitute the system only if it is universal. The principle must embrace and permeate everything. There are no terms whatsoever on which it can co-exist with living within the truth, and therefore everyone who steps out of line denies it in principle and threatens it in its entirety. .

1 posted on 03/13/2016 1:54:31 PM PDT by ConservativeDude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies ]


To: ConservativeDude

He has disrupted the game, and shattered the world of appearances.....


2 posted on 03/13/2016 1:55:09 PM PDT by ConservativeDude
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: ConservativeDude

Vaclav Havel probably does not approve of this hideous wall of text that no one will read.


3 posted on 03/13/2016 1:59:33 PM PDT by humblegunner (NOW with even more AWESOMENESS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: ConservativeDude

I loved this so far, but I have to say. I rarely see such a wall of text that doesn’t originate somewhere in the Vatican. (apologies to my Catholic buddies, all in fun)


4 posted on 03/13/2016 2:00:52 PM PDT by DesertRhino ("I want those feeble mined asses overthrown,,,")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: ConservativeDude

Dude!

Paragraphs man - PARAGRAPHS!


10 posted on 03/13/2016 2:19:03 PM PDT by AFreeBird
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: ConservativeDude

marking for later


11 posted on 03/13/2016 2:30:59 PM PDT by dirtboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: ConservativeDude

Bookmark


14 posted on 03/13/2016 4:21:08 PM PDT by Fred Hayek (The Democratic Party is now the operational arm of the CPUSA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

To: ConservativeDude

bkmk


15 posted on 03/13/2016 6:33:19 PM PDT by kanawa (....It's the seriousness of the accusation)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson