As a conservative Never-Trumper, I see what Gilroy can’t see: Trumpism with its manipulation of perceptions of truth, is to a great extent a counter-reaction to the post-modern relativism that emerged from academia and then seeped into the broader culture through the left’s domination of public education.
The notion that there is no truth—that truth is nothing more than the imposition of the opinions, preferences, and advantages of the powerful over the weak—was a position of the left, most obvious in the concept of cultural relativism, but also insidiously present in the widespread unthinking belief that the law must not attempt to impose morality—when in fact morality is the only thing that can justify law.
The simple-minded American political right’s previous insistence on the existence of truth put them at a disadvantage because they could not knowingly make assertions solely on the basis of political utility, while their opponents could assert political utility as a legitimate basis for their truth claims.
So now the Trumpist right has figured out that a malleable truth is an enormous advantage, and it is the left that is at a disadvantage with their new-found insistence on objective truth.
Thanks for this Sonny. I’ve been watching this show on repeat since it came out. I’ve always seen the connection to where we are now.
Years before this—when Star Wars came back into mainstream cultural context with the start of The Force Awakens—is see folks embracing the Stormtroopers through Halloween or other ways, and couldn’t understand why Americans would embrace those characters. And lo and behold, in 2016 Trump is elected.
Great art is a reflection of society. I recall your previous comments to poo poo the connections to Trump, glad you can see it now.
Where is the best place for us to make Bulwark Movie Club suggestions? I recommend Outbreak! It's about an outbreak of an Ebola-like disease, and what the government does to prevent it from destroying the world's population. Within the government, there are competing recommendations about the best approach for dealing with it ... to say the least. Thank you!
Sonny, thanks for talking to Tony! His commentary on the Trump regime and his MAGA Brown Shirts were just spot on. It is sad, pathetic really, that this IS America, that "lack of response" is very telling. However, I'm sure that Tony COULD write this into a screenplay and he should sit down and zen for bit, it will flow. We need art to present this.
In closing, truth is objective reality, not belief, not interpretation, just objective reality.
Great conversation. “You become the thing that you're afraid of, right? If you're really afraid of the monster, if you become the monster, you don't have to be afraid anymore, right?” I’ve heard an iteration of this quote before but I cant’ remember where. What does the MAGA crowd fear? I’m looking forward to the next episode of the Bulwark movie club.
Ooooh thank you for the « who are you? » question!!
I remember being blown away when I watched it. We’ve been following these 2 characters for so long and finally they meet so expectations were super high. So the « who are you? » line with Cassian looking confused was surprising at first.
But it is so spot on in retrospect. We follow Cyril from day 1 so to us he’s important but in the context of the story, he’s an absolute nobody. He sacrifices everything including his own morality to become someone and in the end he simply dies in the total anonymity which corresponds to his actual place in this world.
Hadn't the Empire been around for a couple of decades before the events of Andor, i.e., the coalescence of a rebellion powerful enough to make a difference? If we don't question it taking them that long to get there, why do we expect it of ourselves in a matter of months?
We're at the stage of small actions by scattered groups figuring out how to navigate our specific version of this story, while most people just adapt and survive.
Wish more people would watch Andor and get beyond the sci-fi moniker because it is truly one of the best shows made and such a provocative commentary on the time we are living in.
As a conservative Never-Trumper, I see what Gilroy can’t see: Trumpism with its manipulation of perceptions of truth, is to a great extent a counter-reaction to the post-modern relativism that emerged from academia and then seeped into the broader culture through the left’s domination of public education.
The notion that there is no truth—that truth is nothing more than the imposition of the opinions, preferences, and advantages of the powerful over the weak—was a position of the left, most obvious in the concept of cultural relativism, but also insidiously present in the widespread unthinking belief that the law must not attempt to impose morality—when in fact morality is the only thing that can justify law.
The simple-minded American political right’s previous insistence on the existence of truth put them at a disadvantage because they could not knowingly make assertions solely on the basis of political utility, while their opponents could assert political utility as a legitimate basis for their truth claims.
So now the Trumpist right has figured out that a malleable truth is an enormous advantage, and it is the left that is at a disadvantage with their new-found insistence on objective truth.
Thanks for this Sonny. I’ve been watching this show on repeat since it came out. I’ve always seen the connection to where we are now.
Years before this—when Star Wars came back into mainstream cultural context with the start of The Force Awakens—is see folks embracing the Stormtroopers through Halloween or other ways, and couldn’t understand why Americans would embrace those characters. And lo and behold, in 2016 Trump is elected.
Great art is a reflection of society. I recall your previous comments to poo poo the connections to Trump, glad you can see it now.
Loved this Tony Gilroy interview. Another great movie idea is of course ... Rogue One!
Where is the best place for us to make Bulwark Movie Club suggestions? I recommend Outbreak! It's about an outbreak of an Ebola-like disease, and what the government does to prevent it from destroying the world's population. Within the government, there are competing recommendations about the best approach for dealing with it ... to say the least. Thank you!
I’m pushing hard for CONTAGION, I feel like that’s a great one.
Fantastic choice!
GREAT interview about a great show
Loved this, Sonny and Tony! Wheat from chaff for us.
Sonny, thanks for talking to Tony! His commentary on the Trump regime and his MAGA Brown Shirts were just spot on. It is sad, pathetic really, that this IS America, that "lack of response" is very telling. However, I'm sure that Tony COULD write this into a screenplay and he should sit down and zen for bit, it will flow. We need art to present this.
In closing, truth is objective reality, not belief, not interpretation, just objective reality.
Great conversation. “You become the thing that you're afraid of, right? If you're really afraid of the monster, if you become the monster, you don't have to be afraid anymore, right?” I’ve heard an iteration of this quote before but I cant’ remember where. What does the MAGA crowd fear? I’m looking forward to the next episode of the Bulwark movie club.
more like this one! luv your interviews
Good conversation. First time. I am getting Disney plus so I can watch the series. Thanks.
"I will not compare current politics to Star Wars"...repeat..repeat.. Enough of my problems. Great interview Sonny ! :)
Ooooh thank you for the « who are you? » question!!
I remember being blown away when I watched it. We’ve been following these 2 characters for so long and finally they meet so expectations were super high. So the « who are you? » line with Cassian looking confused was surprising at first.
But it is so spot on in retrospect. We follow Cyril from day 1 so to us he’s important but in the context of the story, he’s an absolute nobody. He sacrifices everything including his own morality to become someone and in the end he simply dies in the total anonymity which corresponds to his actual place in this world.
The « who are you? » says it all effortlessly.
Thank you, Sonny, Tony Gilroy is the most relevant show runner of these harrowing times. So many great quotes from him in the interview.
The Empire is supposed to be Third Reich adjacent, but due to Trumpism, it’s origins and mechanics live on today.
Hadn't the Empire been around for a couple of decades before the events of Andor, i.e., the coalescence of a rebellion powerful enough to make a difference? If we don't question it taking them that long to get there, why do we expect it of ourselves in a matter of months?
We're at the stage of small actions by scattered groups figuring out how to navigate our specific version of this story, while most people just adapt and survive.
Man, what a get. Congrats on the interview, Sonny!
Thanks!
Wish more people would watch Andor and get beyond the sci-fi moniker because it is truly one of the best shows made and such a provocative commentary on the time we are living in.