A Dying Freedom (to destroy your reputation)

Without the full deck

      Discourse is weakened

      Fallacy becomes inevitable

Regardless of intention. . .

Compelled speech

Always and eventually

      Breeds tyranny

For when you "should not"

      By Law

Becomes you "cannot"

      Plan the funeral

Free thought has died

Author's Note

Reviews

[SweetWriter88]

Yes, I agree with every line. I love how simple it is. Everyone will interpret it their own way. That line "Regardless of intention" is so, so powerful to me. Things are easily misconstrued and thus thrown out of proportion if one word is out of place. I also liked "Free thought has died". I understand that. Nowadays it feels like if you're not part of a consensus then something's wrong with you or your opinion doesn't count.

Overall this was worded really nicely. I can definitely see what you were going for and I think you accomplished that twice over. The emotion you put in this, while somewhat hidden by the freedom of voice you give to the reader, is still there. That can be very hard to do but the mastery is amazing. This, to me, feels flawless. Well written. Thanks for sharing!

[Nipplegrinder]

Excellent piece. Great link to vid. Loved listening to what inspired it.

[Davidgeo]

Thanks for the props. I kinda feel guilty about this one, it almost feels too derivative and unoriginal. Anyway, Sam Harris is one of the more rational public thinkers these days. It's kind of a shame that the "identity politics" game keeps him from being heard by more people.

[emipoemi]

Another philosophic gem with a killer ending. Nice!

[Davidgeo]

You make me sound more intelligent than I actually am. Please, don't stop.

[emipoemi]

it doesn't necessarily take intellect to write a poem......it takes trust and faith.

[Davidgeo]

Ha... if you truly believe that you completely missed the point. Trust and faith without reasoned thought is exactly what I wrote that poem to be in opposition of.

Reason and intellect are part of the same thing. I may not be uber intelligent but I'm smart enough to know that.

Emily Dickson wasn't classically intelligent but her reason and intellect were incredible. Pretending intellect plays not part in that is intellectually dishonest.

[KWP]

oh well that's very timely and also clever at the same time - we need to learn freedom within the constraints - but I guess that's an internal perception :D X

[Davidgeo]

I think someone should have the freedom to ruin their reputation by saying horrible things in public. I don't think compelling someone to speak in a certain way helps identify and eradicate bigots, racists, and generally awful people... I actually think it gives them cover while dumbing down public discourse for the rest of us. Everyone should have the freedom to expose themselves through the power of speech (or typing, drawing, sculpting, painting, etc.etc,)... I wanna know who the awful people are, I say let them identify themselves freely.

[KWP]

yes - I have to say I agree - :D

[Davidgeo]

We should have a breakdance party over our agreement. I've been listening to awesomely awful '80's music this week... sadly, this site now adheres to the "no URL" policy. Otherwise I'd inundate your page with absurdly dated music videos.

On an unrelated note, have you ever been to the center parts of Australia? Is it all extreme heat, desert and poisonous snakes like the discovery channel tells me?

[KWP]

that's funny I just downloaded an '80's rap playlist on Spotify - :D was just listening Grandmaster Flash - yup ...

I was always more of a freestyler - not a breakdancer !!

[KWP]

true true true

[Davidgeo]

The Cure, the album "disintegration"... not all the '80's were bad.

Also, Rick Astley (never gonna give you up).

Also, your country mate Colin Hay, is f*****g fantastic. Even now, without his Men at Work bandmates, (especially now I should say) he's delightful to listen to.

[KWP]

Men At Work - yes! Don't think I can breakdance to them though - but I will give it a shot if you have the tequila :D

[Davidgeo]

No tequila... (well, maybe a little but only in rabid celebration of something). I must teach you the ways of fine scotch whiskey.

[KWP]

oh I am a scotch drinker from way back - on the rocks or neat - either way X

[KWP]

here's your link :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PobrSpMwKk4

[Davidgeo]

Everybody loves Johnnie Walker... and rightly so.

But if you wanna taste the most crucial single malt to all of the mixed varieties... find yourself a bottle of Talisker (ten year old); that's, in my opinion, the best introduction into fine scotch whiskey.

I normally hate food and beverage critics but this man, Ralfy... ha... I love this guy and his whisky reviews.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z_uQDwftNk

[Davidgeo]

(it's not really a beginner whisky, but don't be a p***y anyway... )

[KWP]

Oh I know Talisker - I like it smoky - I also like Yamazaki (is that the name? ) and then theres Auchentoshan - YUM! used to sell it in my Wine Bar - used to drink a fair amount too :)

Good we can drink together comfortably with one bottle :)