5 ms·

I wasn't thinking about Ayn Rand (although her presence is no surprise at all). Lets just say that some of the rhetoric must have sounded better in the original

I wasn't thinking about Ayn Rand (although her presence is no surprise at all). Lets just say that some of the rhetoric must have sounded better in the original German. e.g. "Übermensch" is a much more evocative word than "overman".

memling 5y ago
> "Übermensch" is a much more evocative word than "overman". Try "Superman" instead. I'm not a historian, and I've wondered whether the historical background for the comic (conceived in the early '30s I think?) included some of the racial overtones that were more pervasive at the time. I don't know how influential Darwin and Galton were scientifically at the time, but even if they weren't current in scientific circles (which I kind of doubt), certainly it's hard to ignore that the ideas were "in the water" so to speak.
- SideburnsOfDoom 5y ago
  > and I've wondered whether the historical background for the (Superman) comic included some of the racial overtones that were more pervasive at the time. Maybe you should look into it some more then https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jan/30/take-that-mr-hitler-the-jewish-roots-of-superheroes https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jan/30/take-that-mr... https://screenrant.com/superman-secret-hebrew-name-jewish-kal-el-moses/ https://screenrant.com/superman-secret-hebrew-name-jewish-ka... https://anfieldindex.com/geek/comics/superman-jewish-hero https://anfieldindex.com/geek/comics/superman-jewish-hero https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Siegel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Siegel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Shuster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Shuster
  - memling 5y ago
    These were super interesting, thank you. Do you know if there are any references to them intentionally trying to subvert the Nazi idealism of the Übermensch?
  - memling 5y ago
    Thanks for the links! I'll check them out.
meheleventyone 5y ago
I was waiting for the blood and soil stuff but maybe that’s the next issue. I had thought the dork enlightenment stuff had died a death but apparently not.
- SideburnsOfDoom 5y ago
  > I had thought the dork enlightenment stuff had died a death Gotta put out the rich backer's message to where the audience is receptive. And phrase it to please them (i.e. sound thoughtful)
  - jonstewart 5y ago
    Yes, exactly. When reading essays like this, a critical thinker should remember “consider the source” and “cui bono?”

memling 5y ago

> "Übermensch" is a much more evocative word than "overman". Try "Superman" instead. I'm not a historian, and I've wondered whether the historical background for the comic (conceived in the early '30s I think?) included some of the racial overtones that were more pervasive at the time. I don't know how influential Darwin and Galton were scientifically at the time, but even if they weren't current in scientific circles (which I kind of doubt), certainly it's hard to ignore that the ideas were "in the water" so to speak.

SideburnsOfDoom 5y ago
> and I've wondered whether the historical background for the (Superman) comic included some of the racial overtones that were more pervasive at the time. Maybe you should look into it some more then https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jan/30/take-that-mr-hitler-the-jewish-roots-of-superheroes https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jan/30/take-that-mr... https://screenrant.com/superman-secret-hebrew-name-jewish-kal-el-moses/ https://screenrant.com/superman-secret-hebrew-name-jewish-ka... https://anfieldindex.com/geek/comics/superman-jewish-hero https://anfieldindex.com/geek/comics/superman-jewish-hero https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Siegel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Siegel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Shuster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Shuster
- memling 5y ago
  These were super interesting, thank you. Do you know if there are any references to them intentionally trying to subvert the Nazi idealism of the Übermensch?
- memling 5y ago
  Thanks for the links! I'll check them out.

meheleventyone 5y ago

I was waiting for the blood and soil stuff but maybe that’s the next issue. I had thought the dork enlightenment stuff had died a death but apparently not.

SideburnsOfDoom 5y ago
> I had thought the dork enlightenment stuff had died a death Gotta put out the rich backer's message to where the audience is receptive. And phrase it to please them (i.e. sound thoughtful)
- jonstewart 5y ago
  Yes, exactly. When reading essays like this, a critical thinker should remember “consider the source” and “cui bono?”