A 1957 Bergman film sets us in exactly the right era to better understand our own time: the plague-stricken Middle Ages.  

One of Salomé's favorite movies, The Seventh Seal is the epitome of existentialist art, refreshingly devoid of post-modern cynicism but rich in the angst, dread, and flashes of beauty that make up existence.

 

◬ In this episode:   

⋗ Cynicism in art and culture ⋗ Our modern plague and its ancient effects ⋗ The impulse to blame others during hardship ⋗ The ancient desire to sacrifice for good fortune in modern society ⋗ What makes the average person turn to cruelty? ⋗ The need for suspicion of power and skepticism ⋗ Our Dark Ages mentality in the Age of Information ⋗ Power is easily taken, rarely rescinded  ⋗ The TSA is fake business ⋗ How arbitrary power undermines legitimate law ⋗ The meaning of life (briefly)  

 

◬ Other related episodes mentioned:  

⋗ Micro-dosing the Void | Library Circus #6 

 

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