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Have you ever heard or read a speech in real life or fiction that left you inspired, moved, exalted, perhaps even blinking back tears… only to remember a minute later that you fundamentally disagreed with every word?
I’m not sure if this counts, but Danke Schoen by Wayne Newton always gets my toes tapping. I’m surprised everybody considers it the epitome of bad jingles.
Following Tony Benn’s death, his speeches were very widely praised – there’s a bunch of interviews on Radio 4 where numerous people said his speeches moved and inspired them, until they realised “hang on a minute, this guy’s advocating Communism”…
A presentation by Ralph Nader at the University of Colorado on auto safety. He had the students in tears. You just have to realize that as a plaintiffs lawyer he could give a speech at a campaign dinner that would have Col. Sanders crying over the deprived life and untimely death of the chicken cordon bleu he was eating for dinner.
In connection with Perry’s comment i’d like to digress on the meaning of “greed”.
For me, “greed” is when people irrationally lose a lot of money (eg in a stockmarket or housing bubble) while trying to get rich quick. I don’t object, however, to the use of “greed” as a label for unethical, but effective, ways of getting rich.
By contrast, it seems to me that, in Britain, “greed” defines ANY attempt to get rich, or even to earn a decent amount of money.
Any thoughts about that?
“Imagine” by John Lennon. First time I heard it, I just sat there with my mouth open, thinking “What a beautiful song!” Only after it was over did I realize I did not agree with a word of it.
I feel that way about a lot of Bruce Cockburn’s songs. I guess I feel that way about a lot of pop music.
But I also admire something that is well said, even when I disagree with what it says. I have a fairly large collection of quotes, and many of them I completely disagree with, but they’re in my collection because I admire something about how they’re said. A good example is from Ambrose Bierce: “”Corporation: an ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility.” Whatever you think about the limited-liability corporation, you have to admit that Bierce very effectively captured the sentiment that opposes it in just a few words.
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“Greed, for lack of a better word, is good”
Rest of the movie was tosh. Zero sum game my arse. That was what I actually disagreed it.
“And the sign said, ‘Long-haired freaky people need not apply.'”
Unfortunately, the rest of that song is a paean against private property.
Most, if not all of them. I’m a sucker for pathos – sue me.
I liked the song “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” in Cabaret. But I think you were supposed to. The old guy not joining in was particularly well done too.
I’m not sure if this counts, but Danke Schoen by Wayne Newton always gets my toes tapping. I’m surprised everybody considers it the epitome of bad jingles.
Following Tony Benn’s death, his speeches were very widely praised – there’s a bunch of interviews on Radio 4 where numerous people said his speeches moved and inspired them, until they realised “hang on a minute, this guy’s advocating Communism”…
Don’t forget Obarmy, classic stuff!
A presentation by Ralph Nader at the University of Colorado on auto safety. He had the students in tears. You just have to realize that as a plaintiffs lawyer he could give a speech at a campaign dinner that would have Col. Sanders crying over the deprived life and untimely death of the chicken cordon bleu he was eating for dinner.
Sorry. I filter for content first, although I may award style points too.
In connection with Perry’s comment i’d like to digress on the meaning of “greed”.
For me, “greed” is when people irrationally lose a lot of money (eg in a stockmarket or housing bubble) while trying to get rich quick. I don’t object, however, to the use of “greed” as a label for unethical, but effective, ways of getting rich.
By contrast, it seems to me that, in Britain, “greed” defines ANY attempt to get rich, or even to earn a decent amount of money.
Any thoughts about that?
If you substitute ‘profit’ for ‘greed’ in that soliloquy, it’s wonderful.
There were a slew of UK films (Billy Elliot, Brassed Off, Full Monty etc) to which I had strong political objections, but enjoyed nonetheless.
Sadly I am a bigoted old man Natalie.
If I do not agree with something I am not inspired by it.
The most skilled public speaker (or debater) leaves me utterly cold if I do not with what they are saying.
Sadly this hits even my enjoyment of fiction – if I do not agree with the “message” I do not enjoy the performance.
I am a grumpy cat.
*Gives Paul some catnip*
Kennedy’s “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” falls into this category for me.
NO.
“Imagine” by John Lennon. First time I heard it, I just sat there with my mouth open, thinking “What a beautiful song!” Only after it was over did I realize I did not agree with a word of it.
“American Idiot” by Green Day.
But “Imagine” takes the Gold…
I feel that way about a lot of Bruce Cockburn’s songs. I guess I feel that way about a lot of pop music.
But I also admire something that is well said, even when I disagree with what it says. I have a fairly large collection of quotes, and many of them I completely disagree with, but they’re in my collection because I admire something about how they’re said. A good example is from Ambrose Bierce: “”Corporation: an ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility.” Whatever you think about the limited-liability corporation, you have to admit that Bierce very effectively captured the sentiment that opposes it in just a few words.