Status Updates From Reconnaître le fascisme

The second essay, Ur-Facism, lays out 14 characteristics of a Facist state. It is so depressing that the US is 14/14. Although Eco does present a bit of hope in that this is a historic cycle.

The second essay, Ur-Facism, lays out 14 characteristics of a Facist state. It is so depressing that the US is 14/14. Although Eco does present a bit of hope in that this is a historic cycle.

I read "Censorship and Silence" where Eco discusses censorship through silence but also through noise. On the one hand, these ideas on not new. On the other hand, he expresses so clearly that these types of censorship have occurred in the past, continue to occur at his writing, and definitely continues to this day. Very well-written, but also depressing. His solution doesn't seem attainable in this era.

“Look how many subjects there are to study concerning the semiotics of silence. I invite you to consider, therefore, not words but silence.”

“The [fascist] leader, who is well aware that his power has not been obtained by delegation but was taken by force, also knows that his power is based on the weakness of the masses, who are so weak as to need and deserve a ‘dominator.’”

Rilettura in tempi sospetti.