The shadow of identity gather the soul

I’m sure many of you will or already have noticed connections to the movie “V for Vendetta” so far, and here I am drawing on an idea from a quote from the movie.

Evey Hammond: Who are you? V: Who? Who is but the form following the function of what and what I am is a man in a mask. Evey Hammond: Well I can see that. V: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is. Evey Hammond: Oh. Right.

Can anyone else see where this same situation can reflect all of us? Don’t we all use our own masks everyday to hide feelings, flaws and other things we don’t want anyone else to perceive about us? I know I am constantly masking myself to act in a way of self preservation which has slipped towards a way of self detesting. All of us get caught up asking the paradoxical question “Who are you?” in our conformist society, where different is an outsider, everyone has masks up to hide their true identity. Based upon our own convictions we automatically set up a charade, a masquerade, making the other person think highly of who we are not and from which a new born lie has begun to streak through your life. If all our masks were as visible as V’s would we all be able to live the individualistic lifestyle he leads, where he lets the events of his life determine who he is, not letting a burning internal desire to be what society considers “cool”. Is hiding our visible identity the key to living our true identity? Do they have to always blanket one out of sight? Can we not have both as the same time? There is a simple answer; yes we can show both identities concurrently. Yet a complication arises here. To be able to have your visible and true identities simultaneously showing we need to be totally free of conviction of others minds and realise that we need to, in the words of V himself, “place nothing above the verdict of my own mind”. Simple in theory, impossible in practice and the reason why our two identities can only reveal themselves in detachment from the other one so we cannot shame ourselves and henceforth crumble to the conformity of an already flaw ridden, doomed society.

By the power of truth, i whilst living have conquered the universe

Truth, in essence, the whole being of man kind’s ability to remain civilized, and respectful with one another. Yet there is another level to truth; how strong one can remain truthful to themselves. To lie to someone is a, with time, forgivable offence, yet to lie to yourself is holding yourself back and ace be completely unforgivable. Hiding feelings from yourself seems to be the most damning of the all, hiding feelings can only bring about more pain then hiding aims to save you from. The worst emotion to hide from yourself is that of love. Any hidden emotion is about as useful as a knife in a gun fight, and what is the point in lying to yourself when you constantly know the performance you are putting on. To act in contradiction, against your own instinct and feelings is to act like someone not alive, what’s the point in living if your not going to do it properly? Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici; by the power of truth, I whilst living, have conquered the universe. In essence, truth can be more powerful than any army, person, or weapon. Truth holds the key to opening up the human soul and if you can open up your own soul then you are ready to conquer the universe, you can actually living up to a potential that you were gifted with at birth. Stop hiding from yourself; you always know where you are. Stop concealing yourself; the truth will always come out. Why not make it to your own advantage?

Langauge: the power to rise, and destroy a civilisation

Language a power within itself and the essence of what we all know. Yet, how much do we use, develop and require of language, as it is something that is seemingly without the power of an action to determine the action. Within the power of language lies a deeper source of mystery and complication. Al-Qaeda, possibly the most terrifying terrorist organisation of the world wouldn’t have being a fly on the wall if it wasn’t for their actions. They could talk the talk and not worry a person in the world but it was when they walked the walk that they started to strike fear into the hearts of citizens all around the world. With both language and action is what brings about an entirety and in a world such as ours, where computers, mobile phones and technological interaction seems to be the go by words seem to be losing their power, mystique and ability. Posts on websites such as Facebook, Myspace or chat rooms can just be sheer show and mean completely nothing. Now this is where the power of an action comes to the fore, for without an action in this world a word holds no meaning it is simply letters put together. Gone are the days where words held power, where governments controlled nations by power of language and propaganda, where a man’s speech brought about the essence of a movement or development in a countries history. Now all you see is governments seizing control not through the power and creativeness of their language but by the power of their actions, and in most cases actions of absolute chaos and inhumane actions. The governments are still the same, they still are power hungry, they still want more then anyone else in their country but a simple bit of propaganda or speech here or there would not suffice in this world, they need to strike fear into the hearts of their people to gain their lustful objectives. Yet with the brains of everyone turning to “mush” from all the technological deprivation of our brain capacity its not too hard to see the power of language returning to a future generation of zombie citizens who follow as a crowd and have lost all individualistic intentions and desires. Is it too outrageous to perceive that a Hitler-esque figure could arise among the conformity of a nation and give idealistic views and lead with massive speeches, use propaganda and relive the power of language which is all too well known for its negative ability? Yet among our zombie children there may also lay a Shakespeare type character who could recreate an entire scene of artistry and language ensuring the survival of the most defining aspect of man kind, what sets us apart from other mammals.