Zeitgeist - Hegel would NOT be proud.
July 26, 2007 11:16 AM Subscribe
Zeitgeist, the movie [Google Video link embedded] - An interesthing, if bizarre, mix of buffed-up comparative mythology, 9/11 conspiracy theories and New world order rambling about banks, loans, debts and war.
Is paranoia the spirit of our times?
Paranoia was the spirit of the 50s. Cynicism is the spirit of our times.
posted by DU at 11:27 AM on July 26, 2007
posted by DU at 11:27 AM on July 26, 2007
Is paranoia the spirit of our times?
GET OUT OF MY MIND YOU REPTILIAN SCUMFUCK
posted by loquacious at 11:28 AM on July 26, 2007 [2 favorites]
GET OUT OF MY MIND YOU REPTILIAN SCUMFUCK
posted by loquacious at 11:28 AM on July 26, 2007 [2 favorites]
saw this a few weeks ago. it was pretty great.
posted by quarter waters and a bag of chips at 11:30 AM on July 26, 2007
posted by quarter waters and a bag of chips at 11:30 AM on July 26, 2007
Get ready for: WTF ABOUT WTC 7 LOLZ
posted by shakespeherian at 11:36 AM on July 26, 2007
posted by shakespeherian at 11:36 AM on July 26, 2007
Don't have time to watch the film now, but the sources page doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Although two of my favorite eclectic/nutty presses have titles in there: Adventures Unlimited Press and Kessinger Publishing.
Get ready for: WTF ABOUT WTC 7 LOLZ
The Mormons did WTC 7 out of Jew envy. That's why the main proponent of the "controlled demolition" "theory" comes from Utah.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 11:40 AM on July 26, 2007
Get ready for: WTF ABOUT WTC 7 LOLZ
The Mormons did WTC 7 out of Jew envy. That's why the main proponent of the "controlled demolition" "theory" comes from Utah.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 11:40 AM on July 26, 2007
Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:40 AM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:40 AM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Coincidence theorist's guide to 9/11
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:43 AM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:43 AM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
To form an opinion of this, all I needed to see was a few seconds around 22 minutes in where the narrator was talking about the age of Aquarius and the bible.
posted by Mister_A at 11:45 AM on July 26, 2007
posted by Mister_A at 11:45 AM on July 26, 2007
Allison: The FBI, and the CIA, and J. Edgar Hoover and oil companies and the Pentagon and the men's-room attendant at the White House?
Alvy: I would leave out the men's-room attendant.
Allison: You're using this conspiracy theory as an excuse to avoid sex with me.
posted by shakespeherian at 11:49 AM on July 26, 2007
Alvy: I would leave out the men's-room attendant.
Allison: You're using this conspiracy theory as an excuse to avoid sex with me.
posted by shakespeherian at 11:49 AM on July 26, 2007
This movie's a riot!
The myth of the conspiracy theorist is that he or she is often a lone voice, separated from society by the esoteric truths that they, and a few other initiates, possess. Truthfully, these people are often isolated to begin with, lonely people without close family ties, friends, or romantic prospects. Their detachment from society often causes them to become autodidactic, and although many theorists are very well-read, the absence of any external filter often results in child-like credulity and a willingness to accept any idea which reinforces pre-existing prejudices. Lacking a community, they often externalize their status as outsiders - instead of being on the outside looking in, they redefine their world so that they are the ones on the inside. It's a comfort to them, justifying their loneliness, making their lives, often filled with menial employment downward mobility, more palatable to them. It gives them a role, an excuse, and a benediction in an unfair world that doesn't make sense to them, and where they've never fit in.
At least, that's my theory. I think I read it on PrisonPlanet.com, in an article about how Princess Di was a ninja assassin in the employ of the Lizard People.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:53 AM on July 26, 2007 [3 favorites]
The myth of the conspiracy theorist is that he or she is often a lone voice, separated from society by the esoteric truths that they, and a few other initiates, possess. Truthfully, these people are often isolated to begin with, lonely people without close family ties, friends, or romantic prospects. Their detachment from society often causes them to become autodidactic, and although many theorists are very well-read, the absence of any external filter often results in child-like credulity and a willingness to accept any idea which reinforces pre-existing prejudices. Lacking a community, they often externalize their status as outsiders - instead of being on the outside looking in, they redefine their world so that they are the ones on the inside. It's a comfort to them, justifying their loneliness, making their lives, often filled with menial employment downward mobility, more palatable to them. It gives them a role, an excuse, and a benediction in an unfair world that doesn't make sense to them, and where they've never fit in.
At least, that's my theory. I think I read it on PrisonPlanet.com, in an article about how Princess Di was a ninja assassin in the employ of the Lizard People.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:53 AM on July 26, 2007 [3 favorites]
It's fascinating to watch some parts of the left find common ideological ground with the John Birch Society.
posted by WPW at 11:54 AM on July 26, 2007
posted by WPW at 11:54 AM on July 26, 2007
MetaFilter: Often a lone voice, separated from society by the esoteric truths that they, and a few other initiates, possess. Truthfully, these people are often isolated to begin with, lonely people without close family ties, friends, or romantic prospects. Their detachment from society often causes them to become autodidactic, and although many theorists are very well-read, the absence of any external filter often results in child-like credulity and a willingness to accept any idea which reinforces pre-existing prejudices. Lacking a community, they often externalize their status as outsiders - instead of being on the outside looking in, they redefine their world so that they are the ones on the inside. It's a comfort to them, justifying their loneliness, making their lives, often filled with menial employment downward mobility, more palatable to them. It gives them a role, an excuse, and a benediction in an unfair world that doesn't make sense to them, and where they've never fit in.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:54 AM on July 26, 2007 [9 favorites]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:54 AM on July 26, 2007 [9 favorites]
If you’re not paranoid the day is.
...no, wait a minute.
Just because you’re not high, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.
posted by Smedleyman at 11:57 AM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
...no, wait a minute.
Just because you’re not high, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.
posted by Smedleyman at 11:57 AM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Alvy, that's a lot of words to say "dippy fucktard".
Sounds like a musical or children's book
posted by Mister_A at 12:03 PM on July 26, 2007
Sounds like a musical or children's book
posted by Mister_A at 12:03 PM on July 26, 2007
Woah, wait. It had me until the Southern Cross thing. How did the Romans/Greeks know about a southern hemisphere constellation enough to work it into their god-son myths?
posted by parilous at 12:04 PM on July 26, 2007
posted by parilous at 12:04 PM on July 26, 2007
I watched this a few weeks ago, and I kept going back and forth on whether or not it would be prudent for the blue.
Ignoring all the 911 crap - it's a damn good piece, and while it might be random conspiracy ramblings, it's well put together. And, I like that it ends on the note that WE, as humans, are far more powerful than we give ourselves credit.
That's a much better note than "OMGZZ!! THE GOVERNMENTZ IS EVIL!!! ANARCHY!!11!!ELEVENTYONE!"
So, now I'm gonna watch this thread and see what others think...
posted by revmitcz at 12:21 PM on July 26, 2007
Ignoring all the 911 crap - it's a damn good piece, and while it might be random conspiracy ramblings, it's well put together. And, I like that it ends on the note that WE, as humans, are far more powerful than we give ourselves credit.
That's a much better note than "OMGZZ!! THE GOVERNMENTZ IS EVIL!!! ANARCHY!!11!!ELEVENTYONE!"
So, now I'm gonna watch this thread and see what others think...
posted by revmitcz at 12:21 PM on July 26, 2007
So, now I'm gonna watch this thread and see what others think...
OMG revmitcz is watching us and reading our minds!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by WPW at 12:28 PM on July 26, 2007 [2 favorites]
OMG revmitcz is watching us and reading our minds!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by WPW at 12:28 PM on July 26, 2007 [2 favorites]
Finally, here it is. Incontrovertible proof of the existence of stock footage and unattributed voices accompanied by synthesizer music.
I feel like a piece of my world just fell down.
posted by designbot at 1:21 PM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
I feel like a piece of my world just fell down.
posted by designbot at 1:21 PM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Be careful, the flashing square at the beginning is a crappy attempt at brainwashing.
posted by IronLizard at 1:32 PM on July 26, 2007
posted by IronLizard at 1:32 PM on July 26, 2007
I watched it twice and I like it, but is has some weak points.
Part I: Is basically about why many messiah myths from the middle east are so similar. With many comparisons and some good animations the author explains the astrological relevance of sirius, the birthday of all messiahs on the 25th of december etc.
I think this part should be cut from the rest.
Part II: Then there is a harsh transit to 9/11 and government conspiracys in general. It's a total different subject and mood - I can understand why the writers put them together - but it makes the whole movie or argument unnecessary weird and hard to swallow.
Overall it makes some very good observations and connections about strange conincidences and simply unexplained stuff about 9/11. It's good, but another web movie called 'Loose Change' does it better (also available on Google Video).
Part III: Is about the Power Elites in the US, the Federal Bank and the so called 'New World Order'. Once again some good and interesting points worth thinking about and doing some research.
Ending: A bit too much hippy, peace and love.
What I like were the many good explaining animations and well laid out presentation, not as pathetic as many Alex Jones videos or hysterical other web movie makers.
IMHO part I should be made into a separate thingy. Part II and III go well together.
posted by homodigitalis at 1:49 PM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Part I: Is basically about why many messiah myths from the middle east are so similar. With many comparisons and some good animations the author explains the astrological relevance of sirius, the birthday of all messiahs on the 25th of december etc.
I think this part should be cut from the rest.
Part II: Then there is a harsh transit to 9/11 and government conspiracys in general. It's a total different subject and mood - I can understand why the writers put them together - but it makes the whole movie or argument unnecessary weird and hard to swallow.
Overall it makes some very good observations and connections about strange conincidences and simply unexplained stuff about 9/11. It's good, but another web movie called 'Loose Change' does it better (also available on Google Video).
Part III: Is about the Power Elites in the US, the Federal Bank and the so called 'New World Order'. Once again some good and interesting points worth thinking about and doing some research.
Ending: A bit too much hippy, peace and love.
What I like were the many good explaining animations and well laid out presentation, not as pathetic as many Alex Jones videos or hysterical other web movie makers.
IMHO part I should be made into a separate thingy. Part II and III go well together.
posted by homodigitalis at 1:49 PM on July 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
This movie is little more than a diversion for what's really going on.1
AND YOU'RE ALL FALLING FOR IT!
1 I make no guarantees, but I think it has something to do with aliens.
posted by grubi at 1:52 PM on July 26, 2007
AND YOU'RE ALL FALLING FOR IT!
1 I make no guarantees, but I think it has something to do with aliens.
posted by grubi at 1:52 PM on July 26, 2007
i liked it cause it made me think, doubt, grow curious, look things up, and find answers for myself. doesn't matter that i discovered how much of it was off base. the fact that i took care of that myself is always satisfying. and for that, it's a good little film.
posted by dopamine at 3:01 PM on July 26, 2007
posted by dopamine at 3:01 PM on July 26, 2007
@revmitcz: Thanks! Excellent - so I can recommend this very good bit to some of my friends.
posted by homodigitalis at 4:01 PM on July 26, 2007
posted by homodigitalis at 4:01 PM on July 26, 2007
The bible part rules. I love that stuff. Sounds more reasonable than what the church is selling.
posted by Liquidwolf at 4:41 PM on July 26, 2007
posted by Liquidwolf at 4:41 PM on July 26, 2007
I must look into the theory of part 1, i.e. Jesus as a fictional character. Interesting stuff, but how will it stand up to my mad research skills? The quest begins...
posted by zardoz at 5:16 PM on July 26, 2007
posted by zardoz at 5:16 PM on July 26, 2007
does this mean msquare can finally rest, knowing that we're not "afraid" of such posts?
posted by revmitcz at 12:12 AM on July 27, 2007
posted by revmitcz at 12:12 AM on July 27, 2007
I Thought the part about Jesus, and the part about the central bank was good. I still don't think 9/11 was an inside job, but the collapse of WTC does look pretty bad. The government certainly has not done much to to quell these concerns by actually being transparent about certain things and answering questions.
posted by chlorus at 10:19 AM on July 28, 2007
posted by chlorus at 10:19 AM on July 28, 2007
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posted by cog_nate at 11:24 AM on July 26, 2007