Brain-washing episode

Let's read the brain-washing episode in Act II of Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party, where Stanley is interrogated by Goldberg and McCann:

'Goldberg: Do you recognize an external force ?
Stanley: What?
Goldberg: Do you recognize an external force ?
McCann: That's the question!
Goldberg: Do you recognize an external force, responsible for you, suffering for you?
Stanley: It's late.
Goldberg: Late! Late enoughl When did you last pray ?
McCann: He's sweating!
Goldberg: When did you last pray ?
McCann: He's sweating!
Goldberg: Is the number 846 possible or necessary ?
Stanley: Neither.
Goldberg: Wrong! Is the number 846 possible or necessary?
Stanley: Both.
Goldberg: Wrong! It's necessary but not possible.
Stanley: Both.
Goldberg: Wrong! Why do you think the number 846 is necessarily possible ?
Stanley: Must be.
Goldberg: Wrong! It's only necessarily necessary! We admit possibility only after we grant necessity. It is possible because necessary but by no means necessary through possibility. The possibility can only be assumed after the proof of necessity.
McCann: Right!
Goldberg: Right? Of course right! We're right and you're wrong, Webber, all along the line.
McCann: All along the line!
Goldberg: Where is your lechery leading you?
McCann: You'll pay for this.
Goldberg: You stuff yourself with dry toast.
McCann: You contaminate womankind.
Goldberg: Why don't you pay the rent?
McCann: Mother defiler!
Goldberg: Why do you pick your nose ?
McCann: I demand justice!
Goldberg: What's your trade?
McCann: What about Ireland?
Goldberg: What's your trade?
Stanley: I play the piano.
Goldberg: How many fingers do you use ?
Stanley: No hands!
Goldberg: No society would touch you. Not even a building society.
McCann: You're a traitor to the cloth.
Goldberg: What do you use for pyjamas ?
Stanley: Nothing.
Goldberg: You verminate the sheet of your birth.
McCann: What about the Albigensenist heresy ?
Goldberg: Who watered the wicket in Melbourne?
McCann: What about the blessed Oliver Plunkett?
Goldberg: Speak up Webber. Why did the chicken cross the road?
Stanley: He wanted to -he wanted to -he wanted to. ..
McCann: He doesn't know!
Goldberg: Why did the chicken cross the road? '

In your opinion, is that grotesque, absurd, jocular, stupid ?

The making of a myth

What do you think about? Are we misinformed? The mondial government is lying us ? Overpopulation is a myth? Any doubt? Or we can say: 'Without any doubt overpopulation is a myth'. In 1890, a Clergyman laments: 'Too much medicine, not enough plagues'. In the same year, a man on the street comments: 'I don't feel starved to death'. A hundred years after, academic reflects: 'This planet is toast. Stupid other people'(in 1980). And nowadays, a fearmonger says with innocence: 'Without a doubt our planet is over. What? No, I don't have any facts on that. There is no time for facts'.

Loving presence

In our everyday life we are surrounded by a variety of people. Some of the people we deal with on a daily basis are a joy to be with, and their loving presence nurtures and encourages us. Others may have the opposite effect, draining us of our energy, making us feel tired and exhausted. Our well-being can be easily influenced by those around us, and if we can keep this in mind, we will have greater insights into the quality of our social interactions and their energetic effect on us.

Once we think more deeply about the people we interact with, it becomes easier for us to work toward filling our lives with people who help us cultivate healthy and positive relationships. Even though it might not always seem like we have much control over who we are with, we do. The power to step back from toxicity lies within us. All we have to do is take a few moments to reflect on how another person makes you feel. Assessing the people we spend the most time with allows us to see if they add something constructive to, or subtract from, our lives. Should a friend sap our strength, for example, we can simply set the intention to tell them how we feel or simply spend less time with them. We will find that the moment we are honest with ourselves about our own feelings, the more candid we can be with others about how they make us feel. While this may involve some drastic changes to our social life it can bring about a personal transformation that will truly empower us, since ! the decision to live our truth will infuse our lives with greater happiness.

When we surround ourselves with positive people, we clear away the negativity that exists around us and create more room to welcome nurturing energy. Doing this not only enriches our lives but also envelopes us in a supportive and healing space that fosters greater growth, understanding, and love of ourselves as well as those we care about.

(source: www.dailyom.com  )