Christopher Nolan's Finest Trick | The Ezra Klein Show

Elon Musk did not understand Christopher Elon Musk did not understand Christopher Nolan's Odyssey at all. >> [music] >> [music] >> I'll admit I'm a little late weighing in >> I'll admit I'm a little late weighing in >> I'll admit I'm a little late weighing in on the Odyssey. Chalk it up to having young kids, I Chalk it up to having young kids, I don't make it to the movies as much as I don't make it to the movies as much as I don't make it to the movies as much as I would like. But my god, what a trick Christopher But my god, what a trick Christopher Nolan pulled off here. Nolan pulled off here. Nolan pulled off here. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Musk did not understand what the Odyssey >> Musk did not understand what the Odyssey >> Musk did not understand what the Odyssey was about. was about. was about. But this movie sure understood who Elon But this movie sure understood who Elon But this movie sure understood who Elon Musk is. Musk is. Musk is. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Who Donald Trump is, who we have become. >> Who Donald Trump is, who we have become. >> Who Donald Trump is, who we have become. And I really believe that it points a And I really believe that it points a And I really believe that it points a way out. [music] way out. [music] way out. [music] Tricks are essential to the Odyssey. Tricks are essential to the Odyssey. Tricks are essential to the Odyssey. Odysseus is in myth a trickster. [music] Odysseus is in myth a trickster. [music] Odysseus is in myth a trickster. [music] He's described in that famed first line He's described in that famed first line He's described in that famed first line of the story as the man of many ways of the story as the man of many ways of the story as the man of many ways [music] or of many wiles or of many [music] or of many wiles or of many [music] or of many wiles or of many turns. turns. turns. He is, depending on the translation you He is, depending on the translation you He is, depending on the translation you read, an ingenious [music] man, a read, an ingenious [music] man, a read, an ingenious [music] man, a cunning man, cunning man, cunning man, a complicated man. a complicated man. a complicated man. Odysseus [music] is a man of appetites Odysseus [music] is a man of appetites Odysseus [music] is a man of appetites and contradictions. and contradictions. and contradictions. A man wants nothing more than to go home A man wants nothing more than to go home A man wants nothing more than to go home but chooses again and again but chooses again and again but chooses again and again >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> to stay abroad. A man who yearns >> to stay abroad. A man who yearns >> to stay abroad. A man who yearns desperately for his wife desperately for his wife desperately for his wife but can't seem to stop bedding but can't seem to stop bedding but can't seem to stop bedding goddesses.

goddesses. goddesses. Odysseus is never one thing. Odysseus is never one thing. Odysseus is never one thing. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> He is always many things. But Matt Damon >> He is always many things. But Matt Damon >> He is always many things. But Matt Damon is no trickster. is no trickster. is no trickster. I like Matt Damon but I thought he was I like Matt Damon but I thought he was I like Matt Damon but I thought he was going to be the problem with Nolan's going to be the problem with Nolan's going to be the problem with Nolan's Odyssey. Amid this right-wing [music] Odyssey. Amid this right-wing [music] Odyssey. Amid this right-wing [music] outcry over casting Lupita Nyong'o and outcry over casting Lupita Nyong'o and outcry over casting Lupita Nyong'o and Elliot Page, Elliot Page, Elliot Page, it was Damon who I couldn't reconcile it was Damon who I couldn't reconcile it was Damon who I couldn't reconcile with the Odyssey because Damon always with the Odyssey because Damon always with the Odyssey because Damon always seems to me like a man of a single way. seems to me like a man of a single way. seems to me like a man of a single way. A man who wakes up early, keeps to a A man who wakes up early, keeps to a A man who wakes up early, keeps to a clean diet, rarely has more than one clean diet, rarely has more than one clean diet, rarely has more than one glass of wine before bed. glass of wine before bed. glass of wine before bed. That's admirable but it's not Odysseus. That's admirable but it's not Odysseus. That's admirable but it's not Odysseus. But Nolan wasn't looking for a But Nolan wasn't looking for a But Nolan wasn't looking for a trickster. trickster. trickster. Nolan's Odyssey is something else and Nolan's Odyssey is something else and Nolan's Odyssey is something else and that I think you can say was [music] that I think you can say was [music] that I think you can say was [music] Nolan's first trick. Nolan's first trick. Nolan's first trick. I have spent a few years now quietly I have spent a few years now quietly I have spent a few years now quietly obsessed with the archetype of the obsessed with the archetype of the obsessed with the archetype of the trickster. trickster. trickster. >> [bell] >> [bell] >> [bell] >> The trickster is Loki in Norse >> The trickster is Loki in Norse >> The trickster is Loki in Norse mythology, mythology, mythology, Eshu in the Yoruba stories, Eshu in the Yoruba stories, Eshu in the Yoruba stories, Coyote or Raven in indigenous tales, Coyote or Raven in indigenous tales, Coyote or Raven in indigenous tales, Maui in Polynesia, Hermes and Odysseus Maui in Polynesia, Hermes and Odysseus Maui in Polynesia, Hermes and Odysseus among the ancient Greeks.

among the ancient Greeks. among the ancient Greeks. The trickster plays a crucial function, The trickster plays a crucial function, The trickster plays a crucial function, writes Lewis Hyde in his really writes Lewis Hyde in his really writes Lewis Hyde in his really wonderful book Trickster Makes This wonderful book Trickster Makes This wonderful book Trickster Makes This World. World. World. That function is to uncover and disrupt That function is to uncover and disrupt That function is to uncover and disrupt the very things that a culture depends the very things that a culture depends the very things that a culture depends on. on. on. The trickster dances across customs and The trickster dances across customs and The trickster dances across customs and taboos, says what cannot be said, does taboos, says what cannot be said, does taboos, says what cannot be said, does what should not have been done. what should not have been done. what should not have been done. The trickster injects disorder into The trickster injects disorder into The trickster injects disorder into order, order, order, renders visible what is ordinarily renders visible what is ordinarily renders visible what is ordinarily hidden. hidden. hidden. The trickster causes profound damage The trickster causes profound damage The trickster causes profound damage that makes new growth possible. that makes new growth possible. that makes new growth possible. But the happy ending is never But the happy ending is never But the happy ending is never guaranteed. guaranteed. guaranteed. The trickster can be regenerative or The trickster can be regenerative or The trickster can be regenerative or ruinous. ruinous. ruinous. Coyote brings fire. Coyote brings fire. Coyote brings fire. Raven brings [music] the sun. Raven brings [music] the sun. Raven brings [music] the sun. Loki brings Armageddon. Loki brings Armageddon. Loki brings Armageddon. Hyde's argument is that tricksters are Hyde's argument is that tricksters are Hyde's argument is that tricksters are for cultures, both necessary and for cultures, both necessary and for cultures, both necessary and dangerous. dangerous. dangerous. They represent a tension every culture They represent a tension every culture They represent a tension every culture has to grapple with. has to grapple with. has to grapple with. Because a culture, a society that cannot Because a culture, a society that cannot Because a culture, a society that cannot meet disruption and change with meet disruption and change with meet disruption and change with creativity creativity creativity cannot survive change.

cannot survive change. cannot survive change. A culture that cannot protect its core A culture that cannot protect its core A culture that cannot protect its core values, however, will eventually be values, however, will eventually be values, however, will eventually be consumed by corruption. consumed by corruption. consumed by corruption. We are living in an age of chaos. We are living in an age of chaos. We are living in an age of chaos. We are living in an age of tricksters. We are living in an age of tricksters. We are living in an age of tricksters. Donald Trump and Elon Musk and Tucker Donald Trump and Elon Musk and Tucker Donald Trump and Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson and Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes Carlson and Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes Carlson and Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes and Bronze Age Pervert, the grammar of and Bronze Age Pervert, the grammar of and Bronze Age Pervert, the grammar of the modern right is trickster. the modern right is trickster. the modern right is trickster. What is serious and what is not? What is serious and what is not? What is serious and what is not? >> The chains of bureaucracy. >> The chains of bureaucracy. >> The chains of bureaucracy. >> I was one of the OG nut jobs. >> I was one of the OG nut jobs. >> I was one of the OG nut jobs. >> Why did they say that? And how did they >> Why did they say that? And how did they >> Why did they say that? And how did they get away with it? get away with it? get away with it? The dominant personalities of the age The dominant personalities of the age The dominant personalities of the age have gathered power by bulldozing have gathered power by bulldozing have gathered power by bulldozing customs and taboos. customs and taboos. customs and taboos. >> [cheering] >> [cheering] >> [cheering] >> By saying what cannot be said. >> By saying what cannot be said. >> By saying what cannot be said. >> Why is it we only take people from >> Why is it we only take people from >> Why is it we only take people from [ __ ] countries? [ __ ] countries? [ __ ] countries? >> By doing what should not be done. Hyde said that Americans [music] love a Hyde said that Americans [music] love a trickster. trickster. trickster. They love a con man. They love a con man. They love a con man. Because he embodies things that are Because he embodies things that are Because he embodies things that are actually true about America, but cannot actually true about America, but cannot actually true about America, but cannot be openly declared. be openly declared. be openly declared. That may have been true in 1998 when That may have been true in 1998 when That may have been true in 1998 when Hyde wrote his book. I can see the Hyde wrote his book. I can see the Hyde wrote his book. I can see the argument that American institutions and argument that American institutions and argument that American institutions and American culture American culture American culture had ossified in some ways in the years had ossified in some ways in the years had ossified in some ways in the years since. That our society become too since. That our society become too since. That our society become too rule-bound and bureaucratized. That too rule-bound and bureaucratized. That too rule-bound and bureaucratized. That too much had become unsayable. That there much had become unsayable. That there much had become unsayable. That there was too little openness to real was too little openness to real was too little openness to real transgression and invention.

transgression and invention. transgression and invention. But today But today But today today there's little that can no longer today there's little that can no longer today there's little that can no longer be said. The ideas and morals upon which be said. The ideas and morals upon which be said. The ideas and morals upon which the best of our culture was built the best of our culture was built the best of our culture was built have been more than disrupted. They've have been more than disrupted. They've have been more than disrupted. They've been desecrated. The question now is been desecrated. The question now is been desecrated. The question now is whether that disruption can be met with whether that disruption can be met with whether that disruption can be met with creativity and renewal or whether it'll creativity and renewal or whether it'll creativity and renewal or whether it'll simply bring us ruin. This is the simply bring us ruin. This is the simply bring us ruin. This is the central question of Christopher [music] central question of Christopher [music] central question of Christopher [music] Nolan's Odyssey. Nolan's Odyssey. Nolan's Odyssey. Nolan's Odyssey hinges on Zeus's law. Nolan's Odyssey hinges on Zeus's law. Nolan's Odyssey hinges on Zeus's law. Treat the beggar and the stranger as you Treat the beggar and the stranger as you Treat the beggar and the stranger as you would want to be treated. But as a horde would want to be treated. But as a horde would want to be treated. But as a horde of classicists have now pointed out that of classicists have now pointed out that of classicists have now pointed out that is not Zeus's law, at least not in is not Zeus's law, at least not in is not Zeus's law, at least not in antiquity. Zeus's law is narrower. antiquity. Zeus's law is narrower. antiquity. Zeus's law is narrower. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> It's more a demand for hospitality >> It's more a demand for hospitality >> It's more a demand for hospitality towards the guest or the stranger with towards the guest or the stranger with towards the guest or the stranger with the admonition that there could be the admonition that there could be the admonition that there could be punishment [music] because anybody could punishment [music] because anybody could punishment [music] because anybody could be a god in disguise. be a god in disguise. be a god in disguise. It's not a law of compassion. Not of It's not a law of compassion. Not of It's not a law of compassion. Not of reciprocity. reciprocity. reciprocity. And so here we find Nolan's central And so here we find Nolan's central And so here we find Nolan's central trick. trick. trick. Nolan has smuggled the core of Nolan has smuggled the core of Nolan has smuggled the core of Judeo-Christian ethics Judeo-Christian ethics Judeo-Christian ethics into the center of the Odyssey.

into the center of the Odyssey. into the center of the Odyssey. Zeus's law in Nolan's Odyssey Zeus's law in Nolan's Odyssey Zeus's law in Nolan's Odyssey echoes Leviticus 19:34. echoes Leviticus 19:34. echoes Leviticus 19:34. The foreigner residing among you must be The foreigner residing among you must be The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native born. treated as your native born. treated as your native born. Love them as yourself, Love them as yourself, Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Notice for you were foreigners in Egypt. Notice for you were foreigners in Egypt. Notice that, love them as yourself. that, love them as yourself. that, love them as yourself. It echoes Rabbi Hillel, who said, It echoes Rabbi Hillel, who said, It echoes Rabbi Hillel, who said, "What is hateful to you, do not do to "What is hateful to you, do not do to "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. your fellow. your fellow. That is the whole Torah. The rest is That is the whole Torah. The rest is That is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary." [music] commentary." [music] commentary." [music] It echoes Matthew 7:12, when Jesus says, It echoes Matthew 7:12, when Jesus says, It echoes Matthew 7:12, when Jesus says, "In everything, "In everything, "In everything, do to others what you would have them do do to others what you would have them do do to others what you would have them do to you. to you. to you. For this sums up the law and the For this sums up the law and the For this sums up the law and the prophets." prophets." prophets." Such an ethic is demanding. [music] Such an ethic is demanding. [music] Such an ethic is demanding. [music] Few of us truly live up to it. Few of us truly live up to it. Few of us truly live up to it. But the wrong with the modern right is But the wrong with the modern right is But the wrong with the modern right is not that they don't live up to it. not that they don't live up to it. not that they don't live up to it. It's that they detest it. It's that they detest it. It's that they detest it. To treat the foreigner residing among us To treat the foreigner residing among us To treat the foreigner residing among us as well as we treat our native born, as well as we treat our native born, >> [music] >> to love them, >> to love them, >> to love them, is derided as suicidal empathy. is derided as suicidal empathy. is derided as suicidal empathy. The Trump [music] administration The Trump [music] administration The Trump [music] administration glorifies cruelty towards the immigrant. glorifies cruelty towards the immigrant. glorifies cruelty towards the immigrant. >> BACK UP. >> BACK UP. >> BACK UP. BACK UP.

BACK UP. BACK UP. >> Towards the stranger, [music] >> Towards the stranger, [music] >> Towards the stranger, [music] towards the weak, the poor. towards the weak, the poor. towards the weak, the poor. Takes money from Medicaid to cut taxes Takes money from Medicaid to cut taxes Takes money from Medicaid to cut taxes for the rich. It threatens [music] the for the rich. It threatens [music] the for the rich. It threatens [music] the destruction of whole civilizations, destruction of whole civilizations, destruction of whole civilizations, >> quote, "Never to be brought back." >> quote, "Never to be brought back." >> quote, "Never to be brought back." >> It is built on the logic of tribute, >> It is built on the logic of tribute, >> It is built on the logic of tribute, not compassion, or love, [music] or even not compassion, or love, [music] or even not compassion, or love, [music] or even reciprocity. reciprocity. reciprocity. Stephen Miller put it perfectly to CNN's Stephen Miller put it perfectly to CNN's Stephen Miller put it perfectly to CNN's [music] Jake Tapper. [music] Jake Tapper. [music] Jake Tapper. >> We live in a world, in the real world, >> We live in a world, in the real world, >> We live in a world, in the real world, Jake, that is governed by Jake, that is governed by Jake, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, strength, that is governed by force, strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the that is governed by power. These are the that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the iron laws of the iron laws of the >> But are you saying >> But are you saying >> But are you saying >> since the beginning of time. >> since the beginning of time. >> since the beginning of time. >> But wasn't the iron law replaced by the >> But wasn't the iron law replaced by the >> But wasn't the iron law replaced by the golden rule? golden rule? golden rule? Isn't [music] that at the heart of what Isn't [music] that at the heart of what Isn't [music] that at the heart of what we believe has led our society to we believe has led our society to we believe has led our society to progress to become something progress to become something progress to become something better and grander better and grander better and grander than what preceded it? than what preceded it? than what preceded it? When Odysseus concocts the trick of the When Odysseus concocts the trick of the When Odysseus concocts the trick of the Trojan horse, Trojan horse, Trojan horse, when he takes advantage of Troy's when he takes advantage of Troy's when he takes advantage of Troy's veneration veneration veneration of the same gods worships, of the same gods worships, of the same gods worships, takes advantage of the commonality takes advantage of the commonality takes advantage of the commonality between them between them between them to sack the city, to sack the city, to sack the city, to make its streets run with blood, to to make its streets run with blood, to to make its streets run with blood, to burn it to the ground. [music] Is he Is he a hero or a villain?

a hero or a villain? a hero or a villain? Was that a trick or a crime? Was that a trick or a crime? Was that a trick or a crime? To Homer, he was a hero. To Homer, he was a hero. To Homer, he was a hero. To Nolan, To Nolan, To Nolan, he is a soul in need of redemption. he is a soul in need of redemption. he is a soul in need of redemption. Between Homer's time and our own came a Between Homer's time and our own came a Between Homer's time and our own came a revolution in in civilizational values, revolution in in civilizational values, revolution in in civilizational values, an upending of what it means to be an upending of what it means to be an upending of what it means to be civilized. civilized. civilized. We have We have We have human rights law. human rights law. human rights law. We have laws governing war. They did We have laws governing war. They did We have laws governing war. They did not. not. not. Which side of that divide are we on now? Which side of that divide are we on now? Which side of that divide are we on now? The modern right believes [music] that The modern right believes [music] that The modern right believes [music] that Western civilization has lost the Western civilization has lost the Western civilization has lost the appetite for strength and dominance and appetite for strength and dominance and appetite for strength and dominance and hierarchy and I would say [music] hierarchy and I would say [music] hierarchy and I would say [music] cruelty cruelty cruelty that built it in the first place. that built it in the first place. that built it in the first place. There's a reason a theorist named Bronze There's a reason a theorist named Bronze There's a reason a theorist named Bronze Age [music] Pervert, of all things, Age [music] Pervert, of all things, Age [music] Pervert, of all things, became required reading for young became required reading for young became required reading for young Trumpists. Trumpists. Trumpists. A reason A reason A reason right-wing intellectuals like Curtis right-wing intellectuals like Curtis right-wing intellectuals like Curtis Yarvin and Michael Anton muse about the Yarvin and Michael Anton muse about the Yarvin and Michael Anton muse about the need for an American Caesar. [music] need for an American Caesar. [music] need for an American Caesar. [music] A reason the Trump administration is A reason the Trump administration is A reason the Trump administration is obsessed with Roman-style architecture. obsessed with Roman-style architecture. obsessed with Roman-style architecture. They are circling this era They are circling this era They are circling this era for a reason. for a reason. for a reason. A recent exchange Elon Musk had on X A recent exchange Elon Musk had on X A recent exchange Elon Musk had on X reveals how far this thinking has gone.

reveals how far this thinking has gone. reveals how far this thinking has gone. A user told Musk it was time to wise up, A user told Musk it was time to wise up, A user told Musk it was time to wise up, to abandon liberalism, because universal to abandon liberalism, because universal to abandon liberalism, because universal suffrage leads to universal suffering. suffrage leads to universal suffering. suffrage leads to universal suffering. Musk's reply, Musk's reply, Musk's reply, "I have wised up." "I have wised up." "I have wised up." Helen of Troy, in Nolan's Odyssey, Helen of Troy, in Nolan's Odyssey, Helen of Troy, in Nolan's Odyssey, is not the reason for the war. She's an is not the reason for the war. She's an is not the reason for the war. She's an excuse excuse excuse for a war launched to dominate routes of for a war launched to dominate routes of for a war launched to dominate routes of trade. trade. trade. >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> It's a telling choice amidst an >> It's a telling choice amidst an >> It's a telling choice amidst an administration that is crashing into the administration that is crashing into the administration that is crashing into the global trading order because it seeks global trading order because it seeks global trading order because it seeks more dominance over its flows. more dominance over its flows. more dominance over its flows. When Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of When Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of When Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, released his cry of protest at Canada, released his cry of protest at Canada, released his cry of protest at Davos against regime. He also reached Davos against regime. He also reached Davos against regime. He also reached back to an older age to describe what he back to an older age to describe what he back to an older age to describe what he saw happening. saw happening. saw happening. >> The strong can do what they can and the >> The strong can do what they can and the >> The strong can do what they can and the weak must suffer weak must suffer weak must suffer what they must. what they must. what they must. And this aphorism of Thucydides is And this aphorism of Thucydides is And this aphorism of Thucydides is presented as inevitable. presented as inevitable. presented as inevitable. As the natural logic of international As the natural logic of international As the natural logic of international relations reasserting itself. relations reasserting itself. relations reasserting itself. >> Is this the way >> Is this the way >> Is this the way you build a prosperous you build a prosperous you build a prosperous strong secure world?

strong secure world? strong secure world? When Nolan's Odysseus recalls sacking of When Nolan's Odysseus recalls sacking of When Nolan's Odysseus recalls sacking of Troy, he blanches at the memory of 10 Troy, he blanches at the memory of 10 Troy, he blanches at the memory of 10 years of rage and fury pouring into a years of rage and fury pouring into a years of rage and fury pouring into a city in a single night. city in a single night. city in a single night. Sitting in that theater, Sitting in that theater, Sitting in that theater, I found it hard not to think of the I found it hard not to think of the I found it hard not to think of the built-up rage that Hamas poured into built-up rage that Hamas poured into built-up rage that Hamas poured into Israel on October 7th Israel on October 7th Israel on October 7th and then Israel's poured into Gaza a and then Israel's poured into Gaza a and then Israel's poured into Gaza a hundredfold since. hundredfold since. hundredfold since. Benjamin Netanyahu has described Benjamin Netanyahu has described Benjamin Netanyahu has described Israel's future as Athens and Super Israel's future as Athens and Super Israel's future as Athens and Super Sparta. Sparta. Sparta. Athens and [music] Super Sparta. Athens and [music] Super Sparta. Athens and [music] Super Sparta. Yuval Noah Harari, the Israeli born Yuval Noah Harari, the Israeli born Yuval Noah Harari, the Israeli born historian who wrote Sapiens, sees the historian who wrote Sapiens, sees the historian who wrote Sapiens, sees the irony of this clearly. irony of this clearly. irony of this clearly. >> Rome has its its its usefulness. usefulness. But if after 2,000 years the Jews simply if after 2,000 years the Jews simply become the Romans, what was the point? become the Romans, what was the point? become the Romans, what was the point? [music] [music] [music] Why did you waste 2,000 years then? Why did you waste 2,000 years then? Why did you waste 2,000 years then? You could have just become Roman back You could have just become Roman back You could have just become Roman back then.

then. then. >> And this, [music] I think, is Nolan's >> And this, [music] I think, is Nolan's >> And this, [music] I think, is Nolan's finest trick. finest trick. finest trick. To make one of our oldest moral rules so To make one of our oldest moral rules so To make one of our oldest moral rules so new again. new again. new again. To turn the best of Judeo-Christianity To turn the best of Judeo-Christianity To turn the best of Judeo-Christianity into the law of Zeus into the law of Zeus into the law of Zeus so we can see why it might matter, so we can see why it might matter, so we can see why it might matter, what it might still have to say to us. what it might still have to say to us. what it might still have to say to us. What Odysseus sees eventually is that What Odysseus sees eventually is that What Odysseus sees eventually is that his violations of the moral order have his violations of the moral order have his violations of the moral order have brought ruin to all around him. brought ruin to all around him. brought ruin to all around him. Agamemnon, the king who launched the war Agamemnon, the king who launched the war Agamemnon, the king who launched the war against Troy, is dead. His throat slit against Troy, is dead. His throat slit against Troy, is dead. His throat slit by his wife, by his wife, by his wife, who never forgave him for sacrificing who never forgave him for sacrificing who never forgave him for sacrificing their daughter for fair winds. their daughter for fair winds. their daughter for fair winds. Troy is destroyed. Ithaca, Odysseus's Troy is destroyed. Ithaca, Odysseus's Troy is destroyed. Ithaca, Odysseus's beloved home, is overrun by suitors who beloved home, is overrun by suitors who beloved home, is overrun by suitors who seek his wife and his land seek his wife and his land seek his wife and his land and think nothing of murdering his son and think nothing of murdering his son and think nothing of murdering his son to get it. to get it. to get it. Odysseus and his men were not fighting Odysseus and his men were not fighting Odysseus and his men were not fighting the barbarians. They were the the barbarians. They were the the barbarians. They were the barbarians, and their actions led to barbarians, and their actions led to barbarians, and their actions led to more barbarity. more barbarity. more barbarity. So, too, has the political movement in So, too, has the political movement in So, too, has the political movement in our time that rose promising to make our time that rose promising to make our time that rose promising to make Western civilization great again, Western civilization great again, Western civilization great again, America great again, America great again, America great again, betrayed its inheritance.

betrayed its inheritance. betrayed its inheritance. >> You're gambling with World War III. And >> You're gambling with World War III. And >> You're gambling with World War III. And what you're doing is very disre- what you're doing is very disre- what you're doing is very disre- disrespectful to the country, this disrespectful to the country, this disrespectful to the country, this country. country. country. >> The world looks at America now and sees >> The world looks at America now and sees >> The world looks at America now and sees us as the barbarians. us as the barbarians. us as the barbarians. We are the country obliterating the We are the country obliterating the We are the country obliterating the global order. We are the country global order. We are the country global order. We are the country that takes what we want and demands that takes what we want and demands that takes what we want and demands tribute from those without the strength tribute from those without the strength tribute from those without the strength to resist. And what to resist. And what to resist. And what >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> the political opposition has to do now >> the political opposition has to do now >> the political opposition has to do now is to recognize is to recognize is to recognize what Nolan recognized, what Nolan recognized, what Nolan recognized, that it is actually an affirmation of that it is actually an affirmation of that it is actually an affirmation of our core values to say cruelty is our core values to say cruelty is our core values to say cruelty is weakness. weakness. weakness. It is only compassion and reciprocity It is only compassion and reciprocity It is only compassion and reciprocity that can build a durable and decent that can build a durable and decent that can build a durable and decent society. society. society. Order is necessary, but order without Order is necessary, but order without Order is necessary, but order without [music] ethics and decency [music] ethics and decency [music] ethics and decency is perversion is perversion is perversion or authoritarianism. or authoritarianism. or authoritarianism. There [music] is so much beauty and There [music] is so much beauty and There [music] is so much beauty and wisdom wisdom wisdom in the injunction to avoid inflicting on in the injunction to avoid inflicting on in the injunction to avoid inflicting on others others others what we would not see turned against us, what we would not see turned against us, what we would not see turned against us, in remembering [music] in remembering [music] in remembering [music] that we were strangers in the land of that we were strangers in the land of that we were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Egypt. Egypt. At the end of his book, At the end of his book, At the end of his book, Hyde considers when does a trickster's Hyde considers when does a trickster's Hyde considers when does a trickster's tale end in ruin, tale end in ruin, tale end in ruin, and when does it end in regeneration? and when does it end in regeneration? and when does it end in regeneration? And his answer is when you cannot rejoin And his answer is when you cannot rejoin And his answer is when you cannot rejoin the worlds. the worlds. the worlds. Loki is bound beneath the earth, poison Loki is bound beneath the earth, poison Loki is bound beneath the earth, poison dripped on him for an eternity. dripped on him for an eternity. dripped on him for an eternity. And eventually Armageddon And eventually Armageddon And eventually Armageddon is result. Ruin. is result. Ruin. is result. Ruin. Hermes [music] in Greek mythology Hermes [music] in Greek mythology Hermes [music] in Greek mythology becomes the connector between our world becomes the connector between our world becomes the connector between our world and the underworld. and the underworld. and the underworld. He is one who guides Persephone and He is one who guides Persephone and He is one who guides Persephone and spring to return each year. spring to return each year. spring to return each year. It is only when severed worlds can be It is only when severed worlds can be It is only when severed worlds can be bonded bonded bonded the cultures can rediscover the cultures can rediscover the cultures can rediscover their strength. their strength. their strength. I don't want [music] to make this too I don't want [music] to make this too I don't want [music] to make this too didactic here at the end. So I'll just didactic here at the end. So I'll just didactic here at the end. So I'll just say this. say this. say this. Justice and progress in America have Justice and progress in America have Justice and progress in America have come repeatedly [music] come repeatedly [music] come repeatedly [music] when those seeking it realize that the when those seeking it realize that the when those seeking it realize that the language of the Torah language of the Torah language of the Torah of the Bible and of the Declaration of of the Bible and of the Declaration of of the Bible and of the Declaration of Independence Independence Independence >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> can be wielded on behalf of a better >> can be wielded on behalf of a better >> can be wielded on behalf of a better world. That they are agents for change, world. That they are agents for change, world. That they are agents for change, not for the status quo.

not for the status quo. not for the status quo. I would say it has been some time I would say it has been some time I would say it has been some time [music] since religion and liberalism [music] since religion and liberalism [music] since religion and liberalism and patriotism had a comfortable and patriotism had a comfortable and patriotism had a comfortable relationship in this [music] country. relationship in this [music] country. relationship in this [music] country. Since they were tightly bonded. But the Since they were tightly bonded. But the Since they were tightly bonded. But the shape of the modern right shape of the modern right shape of the modern right >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> has created space to do that work again. >> has created space to do that work again. >> has created space to do that work again. Regeneration is hard. Regeneration is hard. Regeneration is hard. It requires seeing old values in new It requires seeing old values in new It requires seeing old values in new [music] ways. [music] ways. [music] ways. It requires recognizing a moral It requires recognizing a moral It requires recognizing a moral inheritance inheritance inheritance that has collapsed into cliche can still that has collapsed into cliche can still that has collapsed into cliche can still hold power in an age [music] when it has hold power in an age [music] when it has hold power in an age [music] when it has been debased and forgotten. been debased and forgotten. been debased and forgotten. No one's Odysseus is not a trickster. No one's Odysseus is not a trickster. No one's Odysseus is not a trickster. He's a man living [music] in the ruins He's a man living [music] in the ruins He's a man living [music] in the ruins brought about by tricksters. brought about by tricksters. brought about by tricksters. So too are we. This movie, the hunger So too are we. This movie, the hunger So too are we. This movie, the hunger for it for it for it I think is a sign that the age of the I think is a sign that the age of the I think is a sign that the age of the trickster is ending. trickster is ending. trickster is ending. That is not what we need now. Now we That is not what we need now. Now we That is not what we need now. Now we need those who would remake [music] this need those who would remake [music] this need those who would remake [music] this world.