Viggo Deconstructs The Concept Of National Identity
October 26th 2006 14:18
Wolfgang Harrer says:
With all that you know, or not know about Germany and us Germans, what would be your most optimistic, idealistic and also maybe challenging dream for Germany's future or if a young German comes to you and says "Hey, I want to have a dream for my country and I am not into this old kind of patriotism what would you tell that person?"
Viggo Mortensen then says:
Try to be as Chinese as possible. [Wolfgang laughs] You know, try to be as Jewish as possible. Try to be as Apache as possible. Try to be as Argentinean as possible. Try to be as French as you can be. [...] When you stop trying to be as French as possible or as Chinese as you can be, that's where the problems start to creep in. [...] So the German nation, the German people forget about that. That's what I would say. Where do most of the problems for Germany in its history come from? They come from trying to think about the German nation and the German people. I'd say forget about it. Learn about the Chinese people and then forget about the Chinese people. Learn about the Jews and forget about the Jews. Learn about the Africans and then forget about it.
(Read the rest of the transcript of the German Dream Project here.)
You say:
With all that you know, or not know about Germany and us Germans, what would be your most optimistic, idealistic and also maybe challenging dream for Germany's future or if a young German comes to you and says "Hey, I want to have a dream for my country and I am not into this old kind of patriotism what would you tell that person?"
Viggo Mortensen then says:
Try to be as Chinese as possible. [Wolfgang laughs] You know, try to be as Jewish as possible. Try to be as Apache as possible. Try to be as Argentinean as possible. Try to be as French as you can be. [...] When you stop trying to be as French as possible or as Chinese as you can be, that's where the problems start to creep in. [...] So the German nation, the German people forget about that. That's what I would say. Where do most of the problems for Germany in its history come from? They come from trying to think about the German nation and the German people. I'd say forget about it. Learn about the Chinese people and then forget about the Chinese people. Learn about the Jews and forget about the Jews. Learn about the Africans and then forget about it.
(Read the rest of the transcript of the German Dream Project here.)
You say:
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Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
At the same time, from a legislator's point of view, it's desirable to propagandize people into thinking they all belong to the single nation. You can then say, "You might be homosexual, Islamic, Russian and 90, but regardless of which demographic you fit, you are ALSO Australian." Western country's have been engaging in a conscious program of nation-building for the past few centuries.
As to whether all of Germany's problems come from thinking about the German nation or its people...
Comment by Deorre
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Comment by postmoderncritic
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Padsoc
>a national identity is an abhorrent thing
I don't think it's actually possible to have a national identity as each individual is their own nation of influences and tastes. I currently live in Australia, but I see myself as a 'citizen of the world'.
Hi Deorre,
I very much agree about rejecting those external demands in favour of inner fulfillment.
I like Viggo's choice of nationalities to bring up, as Germans tend to be quite xenophobic (and even racist sometimes). But, of course, I'm generalising. ;o)
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
I seek to constantly reinvent my identity, starting with my notions of 'identity'.