"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth”.
- Oscar Wilde
What would he have said about sailors, soldiers, police in uniforms; priests in black and in habits, sisters and nuns in habits?
Not everything Wilde said was correct; no one has all wisdom.
3 comments:
People today often feel restricted in expressing their true opinions freely, as recent statistics highlight a significant portion of populations, such as in Germany, where roughly 40 to 50 percent of the public feel unable to speak openly without fear or self-censorship. This sense of constraint stems from social pressures, political polarization, and concerns over surveillance or governmental overreach in monitoring political discourse. In the UK, for example, surveillance mechanisms initially meant for counter-terrorism have raised concerns about their expanding role in monitoring lawful political speech, with implications for democratic freedom and privacy. These trends contribute to an atmosphere where many hesitate to fully voice dissenting or unpopular views, fearing repercussions or exclusion.Oscar Wilde's insight that “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth" touches on this phenomenon—people may feel freer or safer to reveal their genuine thoughts only under a veil of anonymity or protection, highlighting the tension between public expression and personal security. This mask symbolizes the protective layers individuals use when the environment doesn't support open dialogue.Reflecting on the critical importance of free expression to democracy, Benjamin Franklin famously warned that "Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech." His words remind us that the foundation of liberty depends on safeguarding free discourse, even when it challenges prevailing views or authorities. The erosion of speech freedom endangers the survival of democratic society itself. Thus, grounding contemporary concerns in this timeless truth encourages vigilance to protect open expression in all forms.
Thank you Andi. What poll gives those statistics? Do you believe that people in the European Union are not free to air their personal opinions? Do you believe that we are living in a surveillance State?
Michael, surveys and reports show that about 40-50% of people in some EU countries feel hesitant to fully share their opinions, often due to social and political pressure (see links below). While the EU protects free speech, challenges like political influence on media and uneven rights enforcement exist.An example from Germany highlights this tension: In 2024, a 64-year-old pensioner shared a meme calling Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck a “Schwachkopf Professional” (“professional idiot”). Habeck pressed charges, leading to a police raid at the man’s home and the confiscation of his devices. This sparked debate about whether calling a politician a "moron" should lead to such strong legal action, raising questions about free speech limits and government overreach.The EU is not a surveillance state like authoritarian countries, but concerns about privacy and regulation remain. This shows the ongoing need to balance security, respect, and democratic freedoms.
https://archive.ph/wLVEA
https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/wieviel-freiheit-lassen-wir-noch-zu-100.html?utm_source=perplexity
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