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My 'philosophical' interpretation of this movie.

posted 11 years ago by amandaaaj
20 replies | jump to latest

Just some thoughts/""""""realizations""""" I had while watching. (extra quotes for pretentious satire)

1. As others have said, there is very little legitimate substance in the dialogue of this entire film. This movie is the exact reason I'm heavily skeptical of ANYONE who refers to themselves as a "philosopher." The term "philosopher" in this sense can refer to anyone with an inflated ego who loves to hear themselves speak, talking about nonsensical *beep* that they seem to be creating meaninglessly out of thin air. As others have said, the lady in the kimono was the most unwatchable for me, listening to her was like feeling the fingernails of my soul scratch on the chalkboard of my brain. (<--- that sentence might not make sense to anyone, but I can promise you it's more legit than anything this lady said). Her words were so painfully empty, contrived, and pretentious... it was the kind of *beep* that I could tell if she actually had to EXPLAIN what she was talking about in simpler terms, say to a child, she wouldn't be able to. She would be completely lost in her own *beep* This is because she, like many self-labeled "philosophers," hides behind the heavy cloak of fancy words in "impressive-sounding" strung together sentences to disguise the inherent emptiness in what she is actually saying. With "philosophers" like this it's more about the outside/surface appearance of their words "sounding pretty" or wise than about the actual content embedded within them. It reminds me EXACTLY of what I have witnessed in community college art classes and open-mic music nights. People creating *beep* to receive social gratification and worship when there material means nothing and is nothing but a clever facade which succeeds ONLY because people are so disgustingly gullible. (hence the OPPOSITE of skepticism).

2. The horrible quality of "philosophy" in this film helped provide "philosophical" support for me personally that human beings want to sound smart, but many of them who claim to be the smartest are actually pretentious *beep* who know absolutely nothing. (Same philosophical reason I reject religion and any "religious masters"). This was an aspect of human nature that I feel was unintentionally illuminated in this film. What were portrayed as "philosophers" were seen through my perspective as some random people walking around some random places who are clearly just as clueless as the rest of us--- the only difference is they "think" they know something or can see something special. Every single one of them needs to get off their high horse and get some humility and a reality check. The perspective of ALL human beings is heavily skewed and biased JUST for being a human being and being weighed down by the associated limitations. Any true "philosopher" who realizes this would never try to sound so ridiculously sure of anything they are talking about---they would be skeptical of even the things THEY are talking about. One last thought: the filmmakers could have easily found an insightful homeless person who has lived some crazy ass life to have a conversation about existence with, and I would be willing to bet that alone would have MUCH more legitimate "philosophy" and poignant human perspective to offer the world than ANY of these other crackpots featured throughout the film. One of my "philosophies" is: those who claim to know the least often know the most, and those who claim to know the most often know the least.

They're all talk, and that's what this movie was---- all talk.

I kind of want to stay away from movies like this in the future who are honestly "trying" so damn hard, and just stick to the damn thoughts that are inside my head. That is true philosophy-- you will only find it on the inside.

[–] pdlussier1 11 years ago

Ah, yes. You certainly do represent your generation quite well with that tired and deluded anti-intellectual rant.

Indeed, big words and topic-related jargon are all part of a conspiracy to fool the masses; they’re like buying designer labels just ‘cause they’re cool: big words are brand names for idiots too stupid to be smart so they buy into them just to pretend they’re smart. Let’s insult these arses and dismiss their ideas and veg out in front of less talk, talk, talk and more big kabooms and pretty people! And anyway, if we don’t pay attention to ideas we don’t understand, we’ll develop reason and logical frameworks and critical skills all by ourselves. And besides, who gives a crap, only pretentious idiots think too much and why learn terminology when the F-word offers so much versatility and reality is me, me, me and my words mean what I want them to mean. So can’t those morons just enjoy life by not thinking?! OMG,WTF?! Right? And the wino at my street corner tells good stories, too, and everyone knows philosophy is just a fancy word for good anecdotes and not a systematic framework for inquiry which informs all other sciences and other areas of inquiry (or how once perceives and connects with that wino), and that it doesn’t provide the required tools to properly question all things whilst not providing any real answers.
I mean, c’mon! The answer to existence is easy and anybody who doesn’t see it is a third-world idiot: it’s, like, whatever you think it is. Know what I mean?

You’re absolutely right. Those idiots on screen in that movie are all just stupid people trying to sell us that “I’m Smart” conspiracy. Why listen to people’s ideas and attempt to understand where they’re coming from or their approach and the implications of some of these ideas, which I decided aren't legit? Why? Just b'cause. I disagree with absolutely everything said, especially the big words and all that talk, so they’re certified morons! These people are just well-respected and very accomplished because their mommies didn’t love them and now they need attention really badly.

Gotta go, Biggest Loser is on and my whole week has been hinging on whether or not John loses those 7 pounds!!!

Ignorance is bliss... 'til it posts on the Internet; then, it's annoying.

[–] amandaaaj 11 years ago

I have absolutely no problem with "big words." I have immense appreciation for the English language (or any language) and the highest respect for individuals who are capable of articulating their ideas beautifully and clearly.

AS LONG AS THEY'RE LEGITIMATE IDEAS. As long as they contain a form of real insight, capable of truly illuminating some aspect of truth or nature within someone's heart that had previously been kept in the dark. Ideas of substance, ideas of weight, ideas of worth. Ideas that have the power to really shake someone's worldview from its core while the walls come crumbling down. This is what I believe "philosophy" is supposed to be.

The only time I don't appreciate the use of "big words," is when they are used meaninglessly. That is what (from my perception) this movie is guilty of, and this was only after listening VERY carefully to what each person said.
Sorry, but I refuse to find "meaning" in BS. My point is that you don't have to believe everything someone says just because they're using big words. In the case of this movie, I listened carefully with high hopes, but it wasn't hard to scratch through the thin veil of the cool sounds they make with their mouths and see emptiness underneath.

That was just my perspective while watching the film, you can respect it or not, but there's no need to judge me so thoroughly based on a single post I've made on IMDB. Please remember that you actually have no idea who I am. Keep an open mind, it will benefit you greatly in every area of life. Thank you for challenging me though, there is growth that comes from that.

[–] pdlussier1 11 years ago

Please remember that you actually have no idea who I am. Keep an open mind...

That was pretty much my point with my parody of such attitudes, which I have a hard time digesting.
You don't seem to know much about these individuals, their ideas and the bulk of their work, and even less about what philosophy really is as a field, yet you dismiss them as nobodies with inflated egos who simply love hearing themselves talk, and who offer no legitimate ideas, just meaningless words, etc.
You may not agree with what they say, but where's your respect? These people aren't sputtering BS, their rhetoric is far from empty, and they do use the right words for what they are trying to convey--though I don't agree with all that was said and the quality of their thinking varies, ABSOLUTELY nothing said by anyone was incoherent or meaningless pseudo-intellectual babble. The little they do say provides great launching points for truly interesting discussions and debates, the depths of which can never be reached in 2 minutes or with facile statements. Philosophy is a systematic framework and process, that's it. Illumination comes from within, through art, science, or philosophy.

The people presented are just smart individuals discussing some ideas at a level they are used to; there's no malice or commercial intent, and we, as viewers, are just given a chance to enjoy a mediated face-to-face, unscripted and somewhat impromptu encounter with some intelligent folks talking about whatever they felt like for ten minutes. I have a tremendous amount of respect for some of the thinkers presented (particularly, Peter Singer, Martha Nussbaum, and Slavoj Žižek).
The film attempts to take philosophy to the streets to promote greater reflection on all things, for, after all, every instance provides food for reflection if one is willing to develop the capacity to think and contemplate things in certain ways and observe the world with greater awareness. Does the film succeed?
You may not like how their discourse was presented and packaged; you may find the lack of a running theme annoying, etc., however, you don't discuss failings the film may have nor do you discuss any of the ideas or even provide support for your "grand" claims. You just write off these individuals as pretentious and everything they say as meaningless without providing any solid arguments whatsoever, then thrash philosophy... Such arguments are oftentimes attempts to elevate oneself rather than admit one's failings.

Sorry to say so, but I smell ignorance. Don't close yourself off and buy into anti-intellectualism; you appear to be smart enough to rise above that. This film isn't about providing viewers with miraculous kernels of truth that will leave them forever altered. It's about examining life, and why it's a good and pleasant activity within reach of everyone, providing one is willing to develop the framework and work at it a little... or a lot.

Ignorance is bliss... 'til it posts on the Internet; then, it's annoying.

[–] pdlussier1 11 years ago

BTW - I do agree that it is very important to not let oneself be blinded by 'big words', and, certainly, people should judge statements by the value of the statement and its immediate context, and not solely by who it was that said it; this is a real problem I see everyday. Idiots saying moronic things taken as gold because of their position or fame. Very bad.
But increased knowledge and 'mental training' that develop one's reasoning and critical thinking skills allow one to easily spot the pseudo-intellectuals and smoke-blowers and the weak arguments and the bad ideas... Given the free-flow of misinformation that I see on the Internet and what too many are willing to believe, people need to develop this side, badly.

Personally, this 'documentary' (not sure it's the right label for it) fails on many levels, but achieves something that will appeal to people like me who live for intimate moments with some good thinkers, agreeing with them is optional. I absolutely adore it, but understand its lack of success.

Anyhow. Hope I didn't offend you. Just my honest thoughts in reply to yours...

Cheers.

Ignorance is bliss... 'til it posts on the Internet; then, it's annoying.

[–] sfrsez 11 years ago

he never mentioned pretty people and kabooms, you rhetorical *beep*

[–] pdlussier1 11 years ago

That’s what you took from my satirical take on an attitude as well as the rest?! Sad.
All you have to offer is a lame insult, as if it presents a valid argument and an intelligent opinion? Sadder.

Re your reply to OP: Confusing academics with tax-exempt religious organisations? If you’re alluding to people in the doc, clearly you haven’t a clue who they are, what they do, and how they earn a fair living... but OK, whatever, you’re oh so incredibly realistic in thinking that our societies throw free money at thinkers, artists too, all of whom do little more than dupe the honest tax-payers and welfare recipients with socially-worthless crap; philosophers are THE problem—and not the fact that “thinking” is now seen as a bad thing. These philosopher jerks are worse than military spending, tax breaks for the rich and corps, and the myriad ways governments waste money!
And even if they pay taxes, earning money from one’s thoughts and from the field of philosophy? Unthinkable! Marketing or fashion design or golf management... now here are some fields of study with plenty of value to humankind that deserve teachers and paid careers, especially when compared to serious, regimented philosophical approaches!
And people getting outrageous sums to push a puck or bounce a ball or memorize lines and cry on cue, that’s OK—those aren’t hobbies—and we should listen to those wise people! And is a waiter who suddenly makes millions off of his writing a major loser if he quits his waitering job? After all, waiters are needed while writing should be a hobby? Game-show hosts, advertisers & lobbyists, pop-psy and self-help gurus, overpaid bureaucrats, stockbrokers, et al., the list is long, but those are all respectful careers, YET people who teach important subjects—not career training—at some of the top universities, people who encourage critical thinking skills, who write non-fiction books and essays that have had an impact on an entire generation’s way of thinking, people who help define our laws by acting as valuable, sought-after advisors and watchdogs re the current problems and ethical issues created by technological advancements, etc., etc., these individuals are scum hobbyists that hurt welfare because this documentary fails on some levels?! That makes sense to you???
And your opinion is worth attention, why? You say nothing yet even manage to get that wrong and prove yourself ignorant.

Sorry for being so “rhetorical”, it is who I am, more so on certain topics, but if I were smarter and actually had something of value to say then I’d be able to argue with a three-word insult—after all, that’s what passes for intelligent conversation these days: swearing and name calling! So it’s no wonder you think an empty, unreasoned opinion that does no more than call intelligent, valued individuals and a significant field of inquiry stupid whilst providing no argument is “well said.”
So very, very sad.

Go ahead. Insult away. Show the world how smart you are; you’re clearly above anyone who believes in the rigours of philosophy.

B’bye!

Ignorance is bliss... 'til it posts on the Internet; then, it's annoying.

[–] sfrsez 11 years ago

Sorry for being so “rhetorical”

you say this , but then continue on. its your only weapon. im sorry for the insult, but people like you are infuriating. a hockey player does not get tax money , so how is that related. you are basically, just a bad liar. ive been to school many years, 99% of these people are sliding by and havenothing to say. and SADLY they have support from wannabees like you. plz read my other thread

and fu jk

[–] pdlussier1 11 years ago

Philosophers don't get tax money, that's just silly thinking, as I pointed out. Clearly, my whole argument is over your head... Grants and endowments are different, and taxable, but you gotta be a top thinker with something worthwhile to say to get your hands on that money. Teaching and publishing are usually how these people earn a living. And schools are filled with people having nothing to say, and this, in all fields and areas.

Anyhow... yes, voicing my opinions as clearly as possible is my only weapon as I failed insult school. You're, basically, just senseless.

A wannabe like me? A wannabe what?! Seeing value in some forms of discourse makes me a bad person?! So silly.

Ignorance is bliss... 'til it posts on the Internet; then, it's annoying.

[–] sfrsez 11 years ago

you have yet to make any intelligent discourse. you just lie, badly. philosophy proffesors are like welfare recipients, and you are quite uselss

[–] sfrsez 11 years ago

you are a demtic psychotic with nothing valuable to say. thats why you continually lie and and put words in other mouths. you should invest in a kimono, useless twat. kaboom and pretty people llllllllllllll you fkn said that not op

[–] pdlussier1 11 years ago

LMAO! Nice insults! Very funny.

Yes, I said that, but you're obviously unable to grasp much...

Ciao!

[–] sfrsez 11 years ago

are we still able to be friends though? i think so

[–] Irishmonk 7 years ago

sfrsez, Just have to say, before these boards are shut down forever that you are without a doubt the dumbest, most incoherent person I've ever encountered here on imdb, What is an idiot like even doing watching a film featuring interesting thinkers discussing their ideas? You hate intellectuals, fine. But don't judge them as unworthy of existence just because YOU don't understand them or see value in their insights.

I'm tired of willfully ignorant, proudly stupid people having so much influence these days. Intelligence used to be seen as a virtue and knowledge and wisdom were valued. Now, it's all about bling and soundbytes and having the loudest, most obnoxious voice. You really think that Tronald Dump has more to say at one of his absurd rallies or press conferences than anyone featured in this film? Think again. OTOH, do us a favour and don't think, and shut your pie-hole and spare us your mental droolings. People like you are a stain on our current social discourse.

The incessant and media driven dumbing down of our civilization is the greatest threat to our survival as a species.
Rant over.

Adios imbd message boards. And thanks to folks like sfresez for being the main reason for its demise.

[–] greg-goremykin 8 years ago

Thank you for this great response. The original poster screamed through his words, (1) "inferiority complex", and (2) "narcissistic personality disorder".

Theirs is the type of personality that would argue (seriously) that they are intellectually superior, to say, an Aristotle, or a Schopenhauer, or an Aquinas, or a Kierkegaard, or a Tolstoy, or a Jung, or a Sartre, or a Kant, and, further yet, that they don't just squeak out a win against any of these individuals, but are *vastly* superior to them. They really believe this to be true with all there hearts.

As I wrote, they would if pressed, either emotionally or in some other way, argue their vast intellectual superiority, but in reality it would be almost impossible to get them to admit to their extremely deluded, yet highly and firmly entrenched belief that they are, in practice, the smartest person in the world.

This might seem too ridiculous a way for someone to place themselves in an imaginary hierarchy of intelligence that exists purely in that person's unfortunate brain, but this is too serious to just note and feel slightly amused by because there is tied into this issue a seriously public health problem.

The entire Psychiatric community has been doing everything sort of screaming from the rooftops, that there is currently so high a percentage of the population that has a mental issue along either (1) the Histrionic Personality spectrum, (2) Narcissistic Personality spectrum, or finally (3) Antisocial personality spectrum.

If you are familiar with these mental illnesses, the concept that there is a high probability that our modern society (for whatever the reasons might be) has these three personality disorders at epidemic levels. If you aren't familiar with any of the symptoms (many of which overlap between the three disorders), after reading of them on Wikipedia or something similar, you'll see why this is such a truly terrifying prospect.

It is an epidemic growing constantly, highly-weighted on the younger end of the age-scale, and as the youngest of citizens in Western nations grow old enough to join the demographic picture of the situation, every new crop of young people has more and higher of their percentage of population that suffer from one of the aforementioned three personality disorder that are running rampant.

This is perhaps the most disturbing; with higher percentages of the population every year, and, again, with the weighted-end definitely tilting to the young and up-and-coming that it is difficult to see how this epidemic can be as a first step, kept from spreading (it has been well-understood for many years that these illnesses are spread from generationally via psychological trauma inflicted by parent to child), let alone more than contained, but actually reversing this very frightening trend in society in general.

These people are seriously all around us, hiding in plain sight. But if you read up on the illnesses, it becomes more readily apparent in people if you take the time to consider them. But since this doesn't and cannot change the fact the the disorders have become as prevalent in society as they have, and what the spells for the near to mid-term future of Western society in general, this may be one of those very few times throughout history that comes along only once-in-a-blue-moon, where it might be actually a better course of action if only for the sake of your own emotional health, if nothing else, to leave your proverbial head in the sand (e.g. another example I thought of, the phenomenon of the very top climatologists emotionally being compelled to leave the field completely because it had become just too difficult for them to see everyday what the human race is in store over the next 20 to 100 years, that it is basically too late no matter what were to be done today and tomorrow to prevent the worst of the effects of climate change... so for their own sakes, and those of their spouses and/or children, they are becoming lawyers, or doctors, or educational administrators, so they don't have to look upon their loved ones without every second knowing what their, and all of our collective fates, are going to be, or at least with less severity since they don't work on it every day like they used to).

[–] sfrsez 11 years ago

very well expressed. worst part is, many of them turn what should be a hobby into a career. and live of tax dollars, exactly as a welfare recipient would

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] protaxcuts 9 years ago

You pretty much summed this film quite well.

Its a bunch of narcissistic Left-wing Intellectual gas bags who think they know everything.

[–] lanis_cupus 9 years ago

You're correct, there's absolutely no philosophy to be found here. But I did get a good laugh from the eastern European guy:

"I flush the toilet, and the *beep* goes away."

Really dude? Well I flush the toilet and this movie goes away. Maybe I'm an intellectually elite philosopher too!

[–] gengar843 9 years ago

The meaning of life is quite simple, though it is different for everyone.
The purpose of life, however, is the same for everyone.
You're welcome.

[–] lanis_cupus 9 years ago

Yeah, I don't get it.

Is this to be an empathy test?