Matt Taibbi

Rank 36 of 47

Score -66

Reposted by Matt Taibbi

In Catch-22 the final and sole request that the air base's mad colonels make of the defiant Yossarian is that he say he likes them.

"Join us."

And if he pretends he likes them -- and tells others he does-- he can at last go home from the war.

But he won't say the words.

Toby Rogers

@uTobian

49d

@jeffreyatucker I'm reminded of this (from Grok):

"In The Power of the Powerless by Václav Havel, the greengrocer is expected to put a sign in his shop window that says:

"Workers of the world, unite!"

In Havel's essay, the sign is not about expressing the greengrocer’s personal beliefs — it’s

7/3/2025, 7:11:24 PM

The statement engages in public discourse by drawing parallels between literary references and real-life experiences to discuss themes of conformity, personal beliefs, and societal pressures. It uses examples from 'Catch-22' and Václav Havel's essay to highlight the tension between individual autonomy and external demands, which relates to the broader public issue of personal freedom versus societal expectations.

Principle 1:
I will strive to do no harm with my words and actions.
The statement does not directly cause harm but rather uses literary references to illustrate a point about societal pressures.
Principle 3:
I will use my words and actions to promote understanding, empathy, and compassion.
The statement promotes understanding by using well-known literary examples to discuss complex social dynamics, encouraging empathy for those who resist conformity. [+1]
Principle 4:
I will engage in constructive criticism and dialogue with those in disagreement and will not engage in personal attacks or ad hominem arguments.
The statement engages in constructive dialogue by referencing literature to provide context and depth to the discussion, avoiding personal attacks. [+1]