Comments on: The danger of thought http://rantchick.com/the-danger-of-thought/ A Pop Culture Blog Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:15:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Understated http://rantchick.com/the-danger-of-thought/#comment-477 Understated Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:14:50 +0000 http://rantchick.com/?p=786#comment-477 Nadia, As far as I recall, South Africa is a democracy. Democracy warrants dissent. Dissent is a part of pluralism which is exactly what South Africa represents. Therefore Andrea's ideas as a citizen are valid whether she inhabits the national boundaries or not. As a citizen, it is her right. Secondly, Herman Hesse expatriated to Switzerland from Germany at the beginning of WWII and wrote objecting letters to Hitler's administration consistently and vehemently condemning the ill-treatment and extermination of the Germany's citizens. Was it not his right to object? Just because a citizen temporarily or permanently leaves his or her state, it does not mean their right is bequeathed to that state to criticize or promote their actions. Nadia,

As far as I recall, South Africa is a democracy. Democracy warrants dissent. Dissent is a part of pluralism which is exactly what South Africa represents. Therefore Andrea’s ideas as a citizen are valid whether she inhabits the national boundaries or not. As a citizen, it is her right.

Secondly, Herman Hesse expatriated to Switzerland from Germany at the beginning of WWII and wrote objecting letters to Hitler’s administration consistently and vehemently condemning the ill-treatment and extermination of the Germany’s citizens. Was it not his right to object? Just because a citizen temporarily or permanently leaves his or her state, it does not mean their right is bequeathed to that state to criticize or promote their actions.

]]> By: admin http://rantchick.com/the-danger-of-thought/#comment-466 admin Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:25:17 +0000 http://rantchick.com/?p=786#comment-466 You are 100% correct, and I am well aware of the point you raise - just as those who do not vote aren't really in a position to comment, neither are those who abandon their country. I don't feel that there is a defence. I was hoping someone would be brave enough to call me out on this. The reason I chose to write this using stream of consciousness is because the sense of guilt created by my abandonment of South Africa does not entitle me to write a logically constructed and argued formal piece of writing - at least, as you say, one that expresses a more negative view. The irony is inherent in the fact that although through the structure of my writing I have chosen to reject formalities and thus emphasise the ethereal nature of my ideas, the mere fact that they are written down means that they have been formalised - which makes them less ethereal. Perhaps my 'right' to comment and in effect pass judgement has been made redundant, my thoughts cannot be restricted. So my question is: Is is okay for me to think these things as long as I do not verbalise them or transfer them to writing? I hope you have sparked a debate! You are 100% correct, and I am well aware of the point you raise – just as those who do not vote aren’t really in a position to comment, neither are those who abandon their country. I don’t feel that there is a defence. I was hoping someone would be brave enough to call me out on this. The reason I chose to write this using stream of consciousness is because the sense of guilt created by my abandonment of South Africa does not entitle me to write a logically constructed and argued formal piece of writing – at least, as you say, one that expresses a more negative view. The irony is inherent in the fact that although through the structure of my writing I have chosen to reject formalities and thus emphasise the ethereal nature of my ideas, the mere fact that they are written down means that they have been formalised – which makes them less ethereal. Perhaps my ‘right’ to comment and in effect pass judgement has been made redundant, my thoughts cannot be restricted. So my question is: Is is okay for me to think these things as long as I do not verbalise them or transfer them to writing?

I hope you have sparked a debate!

]]> By: Nadia http://rantchick.com/the-danger-of-thought/#comment-463 Nadia Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:40:14 +0000 http://rantchick.com/?p=786#comment-463 Just a question: By leaving the country did you not forfeit the right to comment on its current state of affairs? Jumping ship means you're no longer directly involved in its future and therefore don't deserve the platform from which to offer an opinion on how it should be run. Reciprocity is the key to every successful relationship. Your country hasn't done anything for you? what have you done for it lately (apart from immigate, taking more negative SA opnion to the global village)? That's my rant. Just a question:

By leaving the country did you not forfeit the right to comment on its current state of affairs? Jumping ship means you’re no longer directly involved in its future and therefore don’t deserve the platform from which to offer an opinion on how it should be run.

Reciprocity is the key to every successful relationship. Your country hasn’t done anything for you? what have you done for it lately (apart from immigate, taking more negative SA opnion to the global village)?

That’s my rant.

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