Notes From Nowhere

Jens, I read your piece on the movie In Bruges. I rented it myself, and it resonated greatly with me. It’s a truly funny movie, something I’ve come to appreciate more than I used to. And yet, it reminded me almost too much of the heavy layer of boredom weighing down on life in many small-cum-beautiful European towns. I guess I’ve become addicted to the irreverent and quick-paced spirit of Manhattan. Think of all the Sundays in my teenage life at home in Italy, feeling I could go straight back to bed because there wasn’t going to be anything to do that I hadn’t done a 1000 times already. And think of the parental advice to go and see (yet again) one of the wonderful museums and parks in my hometown. It made me sick, though admittedly, something must have rubbed off or else I wouldn’t be an architect. In any case, the movie has my highest recommendation for all ex-pat Europeans who are struggling with reverse culture shock when they go back home, and who still have a resilient love in them for the beauty of bygone times, set into stone in many of the places the likes of me come from. Five stars. *****

I have a new favorite film, In Bruges. Too many movies, it may appear, revel in exploring the life of the assassin, a life that requires skill and a methodical approach, allows you to work alone, and comes with lots of spare time & cash. What is not to like? Staying in Bruges is. Or so thinks one of the assassins in said film. His companion likes the well-preserved medieval Belgium town a lot – he will remind you of the inevitable family member who is excessively enthusiastic about old churches and so on. In a memorable conversation between criminals over breakfast, the balance between culture and fun is negotiated. Also nice: straightforward introductions over dinner on a first date with a charming local (He: “I kill people.” She: “I deal drugs.”) All in all, don’t miss this film, whether you care for Bruges or not (I know it, and don’t care for it). And don’t miss the outtakes on the North American DVD.

You may recall that I audited an Ethics class at Columbia University last semester. Well, I’ve made progress. I was admitted to a graduate seminar – of course, again as an auditor. The readings have become ridiculously difficult; more on that soon. For now, here’s some light and timely reading of a less well-known text by Kant. And, who would have guessed, the German moralist extraordinaire has things to say about the lowly purpose of being a genuinely mean person. So, here come three maxims for the politician sans morality, from Kant’s On Perpetual Peace. Enjoy:

Fac et excusa [tr. Do it and find an excuse later on.]

Make use of the opportunity to willfully take possession […], a justification will be much easier and more gracefully presented after the fact, just as force will be presented in a more becoming light […], rather than if one were to try beforehand to figure out a persuasive rationale and to wait for objections to be raised. The bravado of it gives the impression that one is oneself fully sure of the righteousness of the deed, and later on, the god bonus eventus will be the best attorney.

Si fecisti, nega [tr. If you’ve done something (that people accuse you of having done), deny it.]

Suppose you have committed a crime, for example, in order to induce your people to revolt: deny it and deny that it is your fault; claim that the rebellious character of your subjects is to blame. Or in case you have brought a neighboring people under your power, blame the nature of man, who with certainty has to expect that, if he doesn’t do so first, the other is going to subjugate him.

Divide et impera [tr. Divide and rule.]

This means: If there are privileged men among your people, who have elected you as their head (primus inter pares), you should make them fight amongst each other and divide them from the people. Then you should assist the latter by dissimilating that you act in the name of greater freedom, and consequently everything will come to depend on your unconditional will. Or if you are dealing with other states, then raising conflicts amongst them is a rather certain strategy; you can then, making it seem as if you were helping the weaker ones, bring one after the other under your power.