Some people here and on X have expressed outrage at parts of the opening ceremony of the Olympics in France.

As someone who is both natively French and a "global citizen" (lived on four continents, visited 50 countries, expat for nearly 20 years), I wanted to share my dual perspective. My goal is not to pass judgment on Friday's performance, but rather set the cultural context in which it was delivered. So, don't shoot the messenger. Also, references are annotated in brackets like this: [i] for further reading at the end.

The TL;DR is that the French brand of secularism (laïcité) is unique, highly idiosyncratic, and part of the core identity of the French republic; it's understandable that it does not translate well to an international audience.

Now, onto the 🧵: 1/9

Good explanations.

I am a little baffled at how offended people get. I understand not liking something, but getting this offended? 

Grow up, live and let live, enjoy living in a world with freedom of expression. Freedom good.

Building https://srcbook.com // creator of the https://blockchainsmokers.xyz 

https://x.com/rivatez/status/1817422782109540615

This is a snowflake analysis. Oh you don’t think something is beautiful? Boohoo, art has always had provocative parts, and is subjective anyway. Just dislike it and move on.

There was plenty of burlesque and provocative art in the era of davinci. It can coexist with fine art.

The person saying this literally has a crypto punk as a PFP, which is not davinci level yet really fun? Incoherent position probably based on politics

I don't think beauty is subjective, I think it's universal. This wasn't some random person creating art, it was organized  by what's suppose to be the elites of society.

Art was about the imitation the highest and noblest, now the model of the West is the sexually twisted. I am not familiar with history of art but I know that the mark and results of previous times in the West were things that just by looking at them is equal to a religious experience. Now there's nothing.

Why do you think they oppose making Federal buildings beautiful? Beauty opposes equality, it's a reminder that the past is worth conserving.

Highly recommend reading this:
https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Roger-Scruton/dp/019955952X

> I don't think beauty is subjective, I think it's universal

Well this is what we should debate since we do not agree on a fundamental assumption. It's an interesting question, which to me seems obvious but I would happily listen to arguments of the other side. Probably not good to do on a micro-blogging site though

somewhere in my notes:

> “even those who say beauty is subjective know who to say that to”

beauty is as objective as it can be