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I'd never heard of that novel or these laws, but as an American it would be unthinkable to consider them anything other than Kafkaesque dark satire. The idea th
by noduerme 3y ago
I'd never heard of that novel or these laws, but as an American it would be unthinkable to consider them anything other than Kafkaesque dark satire. The idea that they've moved from that to some sort of positive model for egalitarian society is downright creepy. Specifically, because they all contain the hypocrisy of saying explicitly as a group the very thing they're telling the individual not to say. Taking the side of we is therefore willfully brutal and repugnant to individual dignity. Presented without irony, is this some sort of fascism-light?
- whearyou 3y agoOr communist-light, but the latter ideology doesn’t seem to hold the same sting as a descriptor despite very similar outcomes
- noduerme 3y agoSure, if you like. Although a nit: communism historically doesn't mind celebrating individual heroics or achievements as such, if they're seen as selflessly done in service of the cause. The view of society as a single organism which knows better than you is more central to the definition and prototype of fascism, even if it's also a result of any kind of collective reordering of a society.
- ric2b 3y agoThey are satire: > The "Law" was first formulated as ten rules in Sandemose's satirical novel A Fugitive Crosses His Tracks
- danielscrubs 3y agoScandinavians know there is some truth to it. But it has more to do with what you say and do. You can DO amazing things but you are not allowed to brag about it. This is better than bragging but not doing which is very common in certain places. But this mentality has basically vanished from the main cities in the last three decades because marketing is a competitive field, and you need all the tools in the toolbox to not get eaten alive.