What We Can Learn from King Conan and Legend of the Galactic Heroes
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- This was just a script I had written up a long time ago, but had never gotten a chance to record because of the larger projects I was working on. There's only one picture in the whole video, but it's more just something I was looking to get out of the way.
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"Those who refuse to read have no advantage over the illiterate."
As a writer by passion, this is my new favorite saying.
“The fall of Empire, gentlemen, is a massive thing, however, and not easily fought. It is dictated by a rising bureaucracy, a receding initiative, a freezing of caste, a damming of curiosity-a hundred other factors. It has been going on, as I have said, for centuries, and it is too majestic and massive a movement to stop.”
― Isaac Asimov, Foundation
"History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind."
“The history of empires is the history of human misery.”
― Edward Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Heroes is such a great show and novel series. Very few people cover it. 🙏🙏
That stumble over dictator was perfectly timed. Accident or not
Heroes really is a "crunch" space opera that a lot of folks don't get. I enjoyed the book and the show but no one else in my circle could stand it. I loved it. Sure, it was dry in places, but well, I enjoyed the subject matter.
@@meatybtz Also employed Engrossing themes from history and principles that used to seem counterintuitive. It was meant to be very thought provoking and somewhat grounded.
Spoilers for Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My favorite episode in Lotgh is when Reinhard is having a very serious, almost ominous conversation with Mittermeyer about the circumstances of their first encounter with one another, and subsequently in my own words the "round table" allegiance between the four pillars of the future Lohengramm dynasty. At the time, Mittermeyer was only a rear admiral at the youngest age of anyone in the military and had gotten in serious trouble because he stopped a sexual assault against a woman - one perpetrated by a noble of one of the most prestigious bloodlines. Mittermeyer was also a commoner and was unjustly held captive in a prison. His best friend and fellow rear admiral Reuenthal went to Reinhard and Kircheis to help save him because he had worked under them before and trusted their growing power and honor. If it wasn't for the act of one just and moral man, a kindred soul in a sea of unliving and pathologically warped citizens, none of what eventually became the new empire likely would have happened. The Kaiser says as much and values his friend because they are the last two to have survived the storm that now rages again just like it did when they were younger that one fateful night. He ends his personal talk with him by commanding him to live because the empire needed someone of his quality to bring true stability to the empires military - but what I think it also implies is that he's one of the last of the old guard who can truly comprehend what Reinhard would have considered a just and thriving populace. I've only recently discovered your channel and have little knowledge of the Conan lore, but it really sounds like the miracles of barbarian influence always happen in the most dire of circumstances. You need enough hindsight to prevent repeating the past, but enough hope left in your soul after loosing your innocence to not let that wide view of history make you jaded to the consequences you can never predict, to not beat yourself over the head for everything and become a doomer. And even the show eloquently demonstrates that precarious development through Julian who is going to be one of the most prominent torch bearers for the future we don't see by the shows conclusion.
Watching it as we speak. Episode 71
It gladdens me to see someone taking on the philosophical points of Galactic Heroes, what I got out of it was a woeful space opera of personal trials and morals.
Few long story's that I have taking a experience to have left me so sad and inspired as that show. Also this deep philosophical idea never expressed to me as words just the dreaded feeling of that this was wrong and this in lack of good, better than nothing. The whole rock and a hard place, Yangs Dilemma is so portended in some aspects and Reinhard just is a cool cat that loses all but one thing that makes him want to stay alive.
"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a government is a good guy with a government."
As I'm typing this, I have open in another tab my fourth book in a series about more-or-less exactly this dilemma. I don't know how, but I'm going to incorporate this line into it, as well as the "those who refuse to read have no advantage over the illiterate."
Thank you for the inspiration and the passion.
Hardware may change
Software gets updated
But the operators never change
I stumbled on your channel by chance literally yesterday while watching Shadiversity and boy am I glad I did! I love your content. As someone who grew up in Nigeria watching the Arnold Conan movies and only got to read the books and comics when I emigrated to Canada, I have long wanted to know more about Robert E. Howard's amazing stories, characters and philosophy. Your channel does a good job of further making his works and that of other fiction in general more fun for me.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes Battles are a joy to the senses,the only time I've ever felt a battle was told close to the way they did on this magnificent show was when I watched the last battle of Goblins Slayer the Anime. The rest of shows treat strategy poorly and rely on absurd superpowers.
Coverage of the Hyborian Age AND Legend of the Galactic heroes? Sir, I had no choice but to subscribe.
I just discovered your channel through the algorithm and listened to 3 or 4 videos in a row while doing laundry. I'm just amazed by your understanding of politics, history and culture on top of your excellent taste for media. Subscribed!
Thank you brother!
Very interesting perspective!
I largely agree with what you said. I would just add that LotGH (as I interpret it) also poses a fundamental question on whether it is better an autocratic polity ruled by a competent leader (Reinhard's Empire) or a democratic one but plagued by corruption and incompetence (The Free Planet Alliance). This is in my opinion one of the overarching themes of the series, and it can be seen in the great dialogue between Reinhard and Yang that you mentioned.
As of Reinhard (probably my favorite character, I find him very tragic but also admirable in his idealistic determination), I think we should specify that it is more the Empire as a whole that commits war crimes rather than him, as far as I recall he does not approve them and in one notable case he is just presented with the fact after it is done by others. And all his drama and mental strain stems from this, being forced to commit / witnessing his forces commit war crimes that he does not approve but that he cannot stop because of almost-inevitable circumstances or simply because he cannot control everything.
One last side note, I would suggest using some slides (even just characters portraits) next time isntead of a single fixed image, it can make things a little more visually entertaining. Not a big deal though.
I thought Conan II was the son of Zenobia? Huh, didn't know they didn't go that route. That said, love your analysis here of history, ideology and political-notions.
Each time I hear you talk of Thoth-Amon as a foil to Conan I want to know more of him
Rest In Peace Shinzo Abe, may he be welcomed into the arms of what ever god he believed in. And may the man who shot him have no peace. Shinzo wanted the men and women of Japan to touch grass, go outside, and get bitches, and it was a Japanese man who shot him , Shinzo was the one of the only politicians that want his people to prosper, but the people he cared for, shot him. When a politician is honest and want the best for his people, they get shot 😔😔 the people never learn.
What does Abe Shinzo’s assassination for his cult connections have to do with this video or it’s themes?
@@billguy254 all religions start off as cults, but Shinzo Abe would be a more in line with the galactic empire because was trying to bring back the Japan of old, powerful and mighty, learning from history to try his best to change the people he was elected to provide for and take care of. And the man who killed him has clearly more in common with the free planets alliance because he did not care for the change that Shinzo Abe wanted for Japan, and he enacted his change with force using a improvised weapon to assassinate Shinzo. Shinzo wasn’t a good man nor was he bad, he clearly wanted to stop the rapidly aging population, however that is not the only problem Japan faces. The government is a very broad sense doesn’t have much power, it doesn’t have the power to change the people in a national level other countries such as china, Russia, or the US have. And as grim said when paraphrasing the legend of the galactic hero’s “if the people choose a tyrant to lead them, that is no one but the peoples fault” and that is what the people of Japan have done by picking Yoshihide suga as the replacement for prime minister of Japan. These are all observations I made while watching this video. Tho I may be wrong in some aspects, in others I make solid points. 🥶😤🇦🇱🦆🦍🦅🗿💀🙏😎🇲🇳🦧🥶
I fundamentally feel your view of the man is based upon memes and not his actual actions, character, or goals. Considering that he spent his career denying Japanese war crimes, his families extensive yakuza/ CIA/moonie connections, and his stance on militarization it’s clear he’s not the moral leader you think he is. Yes his murderer is a murderer and deserves whatever punishment the Japanese law system gives him, but don’t pretend like Shinzo Abe was anything but an average politician just because he’s dead.
@@billguy254 well he’s definitely not from the balkans so he’s not out here boasting about his countries war crimes. Everyone knows about japans war crimes, except for Japan, the only reasonable thing to do is accept the fact that Japan did some absolutely horrible thing in Asia and really everywhere else in the Pacific, however are the people ready for that fact??, most haven’t even left the country let alone there prefectures, many look at foreigners with a side eye, it would take a while for the people to understand how bad the Japanese were in WW2, and all the horrible and vile things they did.
the thing I said about the Japanese government not having power is true, the underworld of Japan has just as much power of not more power than the Japanese government, and the yakuza have more of a effect on the people. However u are absolutely correct on the fact that I only know him from the memes lol. Tho I do believe he did indeed want the best for Japan and the people, and he was unjustly killed
I also feel that using violence to achieve your political ends is and, so agree with you on the unjust part. Anywhere I feel there are some fundamental views on how the world works that prevent this conversation from going anywhere but I’d like thank you for the time you took to respond and debate.
I’m so happy you uploaded a new video. I know it’s a lot of work but I personally really look forward to your videos. Keep up the great work!! I love it.
You earned a sub, LotGH is awesome great stuff.
LOGH view on history and politics reminds me a lot of Oswald Spengler and awesome video I definitely should check out Conan I’ve only seen the Arnold movie.
If only Kircheis were here...:'(
Lovely video, LOTGH was a great watch.
I never thought I’d head a reference to Alexander Dugan in a Conan video. Bravo.
I dont know how I got here, but it was a relaxing video. I love LOTGH
Just found your channel last night. Needless to say I went to bed late.
what an incredible video and ending.
I think the idea that societies rot from the top down is a little bit of a misread to be honest, at least when it comes to Legend of the Galactic Heroes. In fact Schenkopp poses that to Yang, what is the Democratic answer when the people vote for tyranny, and indeed the history episodes make clear that Goldenbaum arose from a society in which the people in general had become listless. That is Yang's entire point to Reinhard as well, that Autocracy absolves people of their responsibility to help society flourish. Even in the third or fourth episode Yang states that the freedom people hold most dearly in the FPA is the freedom to not get involved.
I started writing a post to disagree with you, but realized as writing, that it's been so long since I watched LOTGH, that my interpretation could be based on entirely wrong, or at the least hazy, perceived memories of the show. I now have impetus to watch it again, so, Thanks, fren🤜💥🤛
@@earlpipe9713 Good to hear, maybe you could do some content on the rewatch. You might end up still disagreeing, but pay note to Yang's reasons for not seizing more power at various points in the series. There is certainly a degree of rot at the top in LOGH, especially when it comes to the empire, but the series has a very critical eye towards political/social ambivalence amongst the voters in Democratic systems.
How have I never heard of this channel before? Subscription added.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes has been on my want to watch list for a long time due to it's aesthetics and it being one of the seminal works of the space opera genre. Today, I have gained a new reason to seek it out: philosophy.
That said, in my view, political systems matter far less in the grand scheme of things than the underlying eternal struggle of humanity against itself (if we ever have an external enemy, I pity the fool). On a personal level, I greatly value individualistic societies that haven't fallen to decadence, but on a grand scale, humanity is innately really good at quarreling with itself and advancing through such struggle, which is what matters for the long-term heath of our species, provided we keep our many wars within certain parameters.
A man in England was arrested recently for “causing anxiety to someone “ because of a Twitter post ,im sure the barbarian archetype should be scheduled to show up soon
Update: the barbarian archetype has arrived in the forms of Laurence fox and Harry miller
Ever since I was a young boy in the 90's, I looked around me and was disgusted by what I saw. There was no more Heroism and Greatness and Goodness left in the race of Man, save for the past, in fiction or legend.
Thus, I started my very long and tortuous journey to embody the qualities that my fellow man lacked.
@@mirceazaharia2094 I read the first part and I was gonna say something like "then it's up to us to stand for those qualities " ,one thing I will say though is that there is always heroism and bravery ,it never died ,there are always those willing to go into a burning building or stand in the way of danger ,its just that those stories are never published
What did he do?
Oh he shared nazi symbolism and compared gay people asking for fair and equitable treatment to a fascist regime that genocided them.
Yeah that's uh... yeah get fucked honestly.
The best argument against a racial supremacist is simply to murder them.
For if they are so superior, why are they dead?
@@mirceazaharia2094
He posted a picture of a swastika made of pride flags.
Asking people not to say slurs is not oppression.
If we are going by the Howard Novels, Conn is most likely being the son of Zenobia, the woman Conan plans to wed after "Hour of the Dragon".
Great upload, good sir. I just found your channel and I am a long time Conan fan and got into LoGH with DNT coming out. Currently on episode 40 of the original ova and I am on the novels too.
Very interesting video. I'm a big LotGH fan but have only recently gotten interested in Conan. Definitely wouldn't have seen so many parallels at first glance.
I will say that this is very enlightening and I love it entirely
I'd really like to watch this video, but I haven't seen most of LOTGH and really don't want to spoil anything.
I'll have to come back to it later.
Fascinating man
If I’m not mistaken, it’s implied that Conn’s mother was Conan’s queen, Zenobia. He would be the right age to be her son, in relation to when Conan met and married Zenobia after becoming king.
Yes, this was changed in the newer mini-series
Yang joined the military to pay student loans compared to the grandiose lore and motivations of the world he's in will always be the funniest thing ive heard, my man just needs a break
Thanks I really want to do more in this universe
10:40 I'd half taken him to mean it literally as well, rather than only meaning the converse. The idea of rights being subject to a vote. Which would be a more modern liberal or communist take rather than a more classical one of some rights being divinely ordained.
Great video! got me interested in Conan!
Very happy to be of service!
Conn’s mother is Zenobia, a woman Conan meets the “hour of the dragon” story
Not in the King Conan comic, but that comic gets a lot wrong. However, that is what I’m talking about
@@GrimDarkHalfOff I wasn’t aware of that, I’ve only read the first 4 issues of the king Conan story. Any idea why they changed Conn’s mother?
A Rudolf doesnt seem so bad now.
Idk, i’ve always found the “circular nature of history” in itself a sort of abstraction and ideology. trying to conform things to a narrative. its easy to point to something in retrospect and say “see, this is just like what has happened before!”, but that in itself is trying to conform something to a particular pattern.
there is nothing inherently cyclical about time or progressions, similar trends may arise, but they tend to be similar in abstraction rather than particulars. in grand statements rather than in more particular realities.
yes, things with similar predicates may have similar results, but then you are talking in the macroscale of catagorization. you can probably study a different aspect and get a different conclusion. I doubt that most major movers and shakers didnt know their history.
also, as a side note, ive read a decent amount of Conan, and what ive found most compelling about his character wasnt his distast for civility, but for his frankness. his general antagonism towards civilisation felt like more of a part of his upbringing rather than an essential part of him. he meet civilized people who he respected, as well as uncivilized lesser men. decedence seemed like a potential product of civilization rather than civilization being fundamentally irredeemable. conan in a way has his own sense of what is civil. paying dues and righting wrongs (primarily to himself), and giving good will to those who give it back while still having his own goals as first and formost. And at the same time, he often opposes a sort of barbarity that does not have this sense of consideration. in fact, conan has his own sort of ideology, one thats very much not opposed to the ending of human life, one that has it that its better to live well by your own will, then to live at all in creature comforts.
also, did you say Hegal? sorry if so im not use to it being pronounced that way. ive found him really interesting as well. there was a quote in the begining of the phenomenology of mind that always stuck with me about truth. it being like a flower, and if the blossom refutes the bud, or if it was an iterative process. particulars within an absolute that keeps progressing.
It's more like a 'Great Wave' than a cycle. A wave is unpredictable, with different waves having different crests and troughs, but it's still a Wave.
@@hajimeokajima I can see that. though again, these are all different methods of representation. I like particulars within an absolute because its such a broad way of saying it.
Okay, some Howard and sociopolitics/philosophy research is required.
Also - Bêlit is my favorite.
Mine too! I still see her as the only woman Conan ever loved partially because she never tried to civilize him. Very beautiful.
@@GrimDarkHalfOff she would have needed to be civilized herself to do that.
I hear that Valheim music
I want to check out more of these, is the conan tv series a cartooned one, or is it the 1997 real action one?
snek pope
CULTURED AF
I don't believe my political ideologies closer to conan UA-camr...
In terms of quality of life and general happiness the Empire before Reinhardt is at shin height to the FPA.
The Empire was always gonna collapse into an inbred coalition of feuding nobles. This is why the "Good King" is dangerous. You are rolling a dice every time another brat plops out.
The FPA's military failures arise from political interference and unsound military strategies such as dividing their fleets and a-moving like it's fucking starcraft.
This aside all the flaws of democracy would be massively reduced if the flipper baby of a Dictatorship wasn't constantly trying to enslave them.
My main complaint with LOGH is how the alliance's is somehow more nepotist than the aforementioned flipperbaby Empire.