Yes, I guess my point is, while i agree with most of what someone named jesus christ supposedly said, calling me a "Christian" wouldn't be terribly accurate, and would have a tendency to associate me with something more than just ideas.

and Karl Marx wasn't the first, present, or last person to think rationally.

perhaps Marx should sue for copyright infringement. ?



>> ^NetRunner:

The main premise of the movie was the alienation inherent in capitalist societies.
The quote isn't "we are not our labels", it's:

You are not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.

That's Marxism in a nutshell.
I'm always confused by the people who worry about "labels." They seem to think that if any label applies to them accurately, it's something bad. Well, being smart, kind, human, attractive, etc. are all labels too. For that matter, every aspect of who you are that could be conveyed in spoken or written language is by definition a label.
But fair enough, I'm mostly just trying to be provocative. People demonize "Marxism" in America so much it's silly. Nobody even knows what it is, because it's a taboo topic. Technically you aren't a "Marxist" unless you buy into the Marxian alternatives to capitalism (I don't), but it leaves you with some understanding that Karl Marx wasn't the anti-Christ, either.
After all, the philosophy of Tyler Durden is almost entirely based on Marxist critiques of capitalist society, and a lotta people dig Tyler Durden.
>> ^criticalthud:
So if we agree with a main premise of the movie that "we are not our labels" then we are necessarily labeled marxists?

I feel like this film is more complicated than just an anti commercialist screed. Ed Norton's nameless character chooses an extremely handsome, charming and fashionable movie star to be the vessel for his anti-commercial, anti-corporate persona. Is this done on purpose to suggest some kind of internal contradiction? Also, his group eventually becomes a fascist and violent paramilitary operation. In the end, the narrator kills off his imaginary friend. So what are we to make of Tyler Durden? To me, the film feels like it's also about ego, masculinity, extremism, growing up, the need to belong and the intoxicating effects of power, as seen through the eyes of a cheerfully misanthropic Chuck Palaniuk. Whatever Palaniuk and Fincher's intentions were, I do love this movie. I bet the book would clear some of this up for me. Anyone who has read the book want to address these issues?

The main premise of the movie was the alienation inherent in capitalist societies.

The quote isn't "we are not our labels", it's:

You are not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world.

That's Marxism in a nutshell.

I'm always confused by the people who worry about "labels." They seem to think that if any label applies to them accurately, it's something bad. Well, being smart, kind, human, attractive, etc. are all labels too. For that matter, every aspect of who you are that could be conveyed in spoken or written language is by definition a label.

But fair enough, I'm mostly just trying to be provocative. People demonize "Marxism" in America so much it's silly. Nobody even knows what it is, because it's a taboo topic. Technically you aren't a "Marxist" unless you buy into the Marxian alternatives to capitalism (I don't), but it leaves you with some understanding that Karl Marx wasn't the anti-Christ, either.

After all, the philosophy of Tyler Durden is almost entirely based on Marxist critiques of capitalist society, and a lotta people dig Tyler Durden.

>> ^criticalthud:

So if we agree with a main premise of the movie that "we are not our labels" then we are necessarily labeled marxists?

criticalthud : Well said.



It made me think of a Tyler Durden quote :
You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else.

>> ^xxovercastxx:

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. - Steve Jobs

I've had that full quote displayed on my Facebook page for a few years now. I re-read it from time to time to remind myself to act and not just wish and imagine. I have far too many regrets and missed opportunities for a 32 year old; for someone of any age, really.


Isn't that Tyler Durden's philosophy? Srsly, doesn't he pretty much say that once you realize you're going to die, you can "free" yourself to do anything?

Oh fuck, double post...

it is only after you have lost everything that you are free to do anything:
http://videosift.com/video/THIS-IS-YOUR-LIFE-dust-brothers-tyler-durden-fight-club

>> ^MaxWilder:
The best revenge: Making him happy that he's not dead.

Sort of how Tyler Durden did it with Raymond K. Hessel.

>> ^rich_magnet:
Pause it at 0:46 and see how many subliminal religious icons you can count. Very pan-theistic this Scientology.


That's nothing, pause it at 0:23 for some real Tyler Durden mischief.

>> ^schmawy:
Great scene. Almost as good as Edward Norton's as Tyler Durden.


Dude, that's EXACTLY what I was thinking! Fucking American Beauty stole Fight Club's thunder that year.

Still... excellent flick, American Beauty.

Great scene. Almost as good as Edward Norton's as Tyler Durden.

This takes the Heidi Game to a whole 'nother level. Anyone know if Tyler Durden is behind this?

This takes the Heidi Game to a whole 'nother level. Anyone know if Tyler Durden is behind this?

We're having a global Tyler Durden moment.

Worker bees can leave
Even drones can fly away
The queen is their slave

- Jack/Tyler Durden (Fight Club)

She's upset that it's been blown up into a political issue with the media?? really?

..And just whom does she suspect put that backwards B on her face? Tyler Durden?

PA-thetic.