Going through the ups and downs of reacting to what I read on dailykos among others, I wonder if the theme of this famous poem "Die Gedanken sind frei" ("Thoughts are still free") still holds its truth today.
Die Gedanken sind frei:
Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten,
sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten.
Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen
mit Pulver und Blei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket,
doch alles in der Still', und wie es sich schicket.
Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand verwehren,
es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker,
das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke.
Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken
und Mauern entzwei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen absagen
und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen.
Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen
und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen,
sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen.
Ich sitz nicht alleine bei einem Glas Weine,
mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
Translation:
Thoughts are free, who can guess them?
They flee by like nocturnal shadows.
No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them
with powder and lead: Thoughts are free!
I think what I want, and what delights me,
still always reticent, and as it is suitable.
My wish and desire, no one can deny me
and so it will always be: Thoughts are free!
And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon,
all this would be futile work,
because my thoughts tear all gates
and walls apart: Thoughts are free!
So I will renounce my sorrows forever,
and never again will torture myself with whimsies.
In one's heart, one can always laugh and joke
and think at the same time: Thoughts are free!
I love wine, and my girl even more,
Only her I like best of all.
I'm not alone with my glass of wine,
my girl is with me: Thoughts are free!
Your thoughts, my thoughts, are they still free? Can't you guess them? I feel the answer is NO to both.
Social media technology has changed everything. I think my thoughts are not free, but are manipulated, silenced, incited, owned, abused, misused and not hidden to no one. The times that are described in the first verse in this beautiful German language poem are bygone, aren't they?.
I am not clear what consequences this will have, but I doubt they will lead to more freedom, more justice or more democracy or more happiness. Isn't that confusing and disturbing to you?
Oh and then I wonder about the role of "that girl" - still "not alone with my glass of wine"?
Isn't that horrible to wake up and have these thoughts?