BBC Clip: Baader Meinhof - In Love With Violence

I watched this clip earlier today and want to see more clips.  I want to watch more because I am interested in how these things can happen in the world.

”I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them.” - Spinoza

To such efforts, I do aspire, though I fall short of each, more often than not :)

An interesting question posed by the German entertainer :) 

(As a side note, my great grandmother lived in Germany and my great grandfather was Russian - they instilled their cultures firmly in my gram, who was my favorite person and best friend of my life.)

You wrote:  ”Why do they attract audiences worldwide?” 

These kinds of movies and books leave me wondering the same thing.  I have watched some interview crime victims with morbid fascination rather than compassion.  I have observed some finding fascination with their neighbor's tragedies, turning their suffering into drama and gossip-as-entertainment  – their free “cable channel.”  Still there are those who seek to understand and offer compassion and support, genuinely…there are :)

My opinion is that many are attracted to these films due to the sensationalized horrors.  Though likely fewer in number, there are those who sincerely want to understand.  This particular entry, film and thread of thought, reminded me of a book I was asked to review some time ago.  I'm afraid my review wasn't what the author was expecting :)  I'd like to share it here as I believe it speaks to some of these wonderings and thoughts…

The i Tetralogy, by Mathias B. Freese
ISBN: 1-58736-404-2
 

Author, teacher and psychotherapist Mathias B. Freese offers The i Tetralogy, in his fictional four-part series of the Holocaust.  This book is unlike other accounts of the Holocaust, such as Wiesel's Night, as Freese never lived through the horrors he intricately and elegantly portrays in the book.

The book is divided into parts: Volume I - i, the prisoner; Volume II - I Am Gunther, the guard; Volume III - Gunther's Lament, Gunther in America; and Volume IV - Gunther Redux, by his son, Conrad. These volumes describe nearly unspeakable actions against the tortured prisoners, how i endures the proudly sadistic nature of the guards, and the legacy of terror and despair Gunther bestows upon his sons.  

Freese speaks of writing the book to increase awareness of the Holocaust, to keep the events and memories alive, in order that we become “serious about our living.” But is it necessary to inflict upon the reader the level of graphic and bloody imagery witnessed in the film, The Passion of the Christ?  Can we shock and horrify people into awareness and belief of the potential of Man's wickedness and the evils of indifference?  Should we resort to such “incentives”?

At the end of the story, within Raison d'être, Freese states, ”The Holocaust reminds us, that in accursed time, that the voices of darkness continue to roil within the species.” Throughout history, his statement has proven to be true. Surely Gunther's chilling observation supports the sad truth that many choose to look the other way: 

”Good Americans are much like Good Germans: as long as I take care of my lawn, bag the cuttings neatly for garbage pickup, and replace the siding every decade or so and gladly hand out Halloween korn like Gabby Hayes, I'm one of the good guys.”  

Yet I wonder how Viktor Frankl and Elie Wiesel might interpret The i Tetralogy and Freese's mission of creating awareness of the darkness that roils within our species by focusing on that darkness.  Freese believes each and every one of us capable of committing such horrific acts; I disagree and believe Frankl and Wiesel would concur.

The i Tetralogy is well-written and brilliantly executed. I'm not sure, however, that Freese has achieved his objective of increasing awareness to the extent we can decrease indifference.

Those who need education of the Holocaust will not read this book, and those who revel in sadism and racial supremacy will read it with delight. The rest of us already serious about living, impervious to indifference and actively advocating for others when we can, will awaken from the nightmares of the book feeling as aware as we were when drawn to reading it in the first place: haunted by the ghosts of those we can neither comfort nor assist.

Thank you for your replies.  I am very interested in these matters. 

I agree about Hollywood.  If my comment including the book seemd a bit off mark, I apologize :)  My feeling is Hollywood exploits the kind of thinking from what I tried to show from the book, but I am only one lady trying to understand complex matters.

”I think the American collective unconsciousness is more afraid of seeing its own latent violence.”   Agreed.  I sense this, but feel many do not.  It is uncomfortable.

Regarding the perspective of Germans Hollywood portrays, I was surprised last week when I went to the bookstore to find a German language book.  I have a very close friend who speaks several languages; his first language is German.  For years he has spoken and written to me in English so I decided I would learn some German.  I did feel ashamed I waited to so long to try, but he was very gracious about the matter.

When I asked at the very large bookstore for some direction on the best book, three associates were teasing about why would I want to learn that language.  The selection of other language books was several shelves each, and the German language books a small selection.  They were teasing about how Germans are rude and will not help you if you are lost and need directions.  They were making inappropriate jokes, too. 

I kindly asked them some questions; they admitted they had no basis for these remarks.  Maybe I'm 41, but I am still surprised at such happenings.  Though I have only visited in Zug/SW, and not Germany, I shared how wonderfully friendly and brilliant the people were to meet.  Including, those first generation in my hometown (and grands).  We had a nice chat, even one joined me for coffee in the cafe to try some of the beginner's phrases from the book together.  I have a LOT of work to learn the language ahead of me :)

I think of what you wrote about the National anthem and the shadows.  (I think, too, about how most Americans wouldn't know the words of their own…).  I realize I have been naive and so I am that much more inspired to learn further and more deeply… 

…I started watching the Don Beck video and even after the National anthem, am enjoying it a lot and plan to finish watching it after I press Add Comment :)

Thank you for very much your patience and this information!
Erin

Albert, I am still enjoying German Dream, watching a bit each day.  It is so inspiring and informative.  And, encouraging in a beautiful way.  I have shared the link with some friends and one in particular (in Europe) is also inspired by German Dream. 

Your comments above help me better understand more about Germany and also what was left unspoken by my great grandparents and gram…and why.  I am grateful to make these discoveries.  Here I am talking about discoveries again :) 

Fascinating, indeed!
Erin

One weekend at a writing workshop in an old rural Maine farmhouse, I did not feel bold about writing a story.  The workshop facilitator said, “What is personal is universal - write!”  It took me some time to fully understand what she meant…and to embrace that courage.

Paulo Coelho is one of my favorites!  I dream many things still and one is to walk the Road to Santiago.  I managed a bit in Switzerland but I want to walk the whole length -literally and metaphorically.  Most of the world, I believe, wants to walk that whole length.

Albert, thank you for you. 

To daring adventures!
E.