Filthy beauty of Nietzsche’s Sister, Literary Legacies & Slander vs. Truth

Good nutrition can't happen eating shit sandwiches.

Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, the sister of the renowned philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, is a figure of considerable controversy. Her life was marked by a fervent nationalism and a commitment to her brother's legacy, albeit in a way that has been heavily criticized.

She was a proponent of German nationalism and, after moving to Paraguay with her husband, attempted to establish a "pure Aryan settlement" called Nueva Germania. This endeavor reflected her deep-seated nationalist and anti-Semitic beliefs, which were in stark contrast to her brother's philosophies. Elisabeth later became the curator of Nietzsche's manuscripts, and her editorial work has been scrutinized for potentially altering his writings to align with her own ideological views, particularly those sympathetic to the Nazi party.

This has led to debates among scholars regarding the authenticity of posthumously published works attributed to Nietzsche. Despite these controversies, Elisabeth's role in the creation of the Nietzsche Archive and her preservation of Nietzsche's works significantly contributed to the posthumous fame and influence of her brother's philosophical ideas.

About Literary Legacies

The realm of literature is vast and varied, with legacies ranging from the profoundly influential to the hilariously infamous. Take, for instance, the curious case of Edward Bulwer-Lytton, whose opening line "It was a dark and stormy night" has become synonymous with melodramatic and purple prose. This phrase has been parodied to the point of becoming a cultural touchstone for bad writing, despite Bulwer-Lytton's otherwise notable literary contributions.

Then there's the legacy of literary characters who are less than exemplary role models, like the cavalcade of dysfunctional fathers found throughout classic literature, including biblical idiocy: from the absentee Adam to the demanding Abraham. These characters have left a legacy that serves as a cautionary tale of how NOT to parent, while also providing a rich vein of material for literary analysis and dark humor.

In a twist of fate, these less-than-stellar examples have become a part of the literary canon, discussed and dissected in classrooms and book clubs around the world. So, while they may represent the “worst” in terms of character or prose, they’ve inadvertently become some of the most memorable and talked-about aspects of literary history.

How do your values fit into this equation?

Values in writing fiction and poetry are like the secret sauce to a gourmet dish; they add depth, flavor, and complexity. In fiction, values are the invisible threads that weave through the narrative, giving characters their motivations and actions a sense of purpose. They’re the moral compasses spinning wildly in a protagonist’s pocket, guiding them through their journey, often leading to that grand epiphany where they realize money can’t buy happiness, or that love trumps all.

In poetry, values are the rhythm and the beat, the heart pulsing beneath the surface of metaphors and similes. They’re what make a poem pulse with life, turning a simple verse into a profound exploration of the human condition. A poet might dance around the values, twirling them in the air like a baton, catching them in just the right light so they sparkle with truth and beauty.

Slander (and especially propaganda), on the other hand, is the unruly cousin that crashes the family reunion. It’s the antithesis of value-driven writing, a wild, reckless force that flings mud with abandon. While fiction and poetry build worlds and expand minds, slander aims to tarnish and tear down. It’s the graffiti on the wall of a freshly painted mural, the unwelcome guest at the banquet of words.

Yet, even slander, in its own twisted way, reflects values—or rather, the lack thereof. It’s a cautionary tale, a reminder that words wield power, and when used maliciously, can cause harm. It’s the dark side of storytelling, where instead of heroes and heroines grappling with right and wrong, you have whispers in the dark, spreading like wildfire, consuming everything in their path.

So, while fiction and poetry are the noble pursuits of the writing world, slander is the villain, skulking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. But fear not, for every villain has its nemesis, and in the world of words, it’s truth—shining bright, cutting through the darkness, a beacon of hope in a sometimes murky literary landscape. And let’s not forget humor, the jester that can turn even the most dastardly deed into a punchline, reminding us that sometimes, the pen is not only mightier than the sword but also a whole lot funnier.

Navigating the treacherous waters of public discourse can be like trying to differentiate between a crocodile and an alligator while they’re both snapping at your canoe. On one hand, you have slanderous and vile propaganda, which is like a murky swamp where facts are as scarce as hen’s teeth, and the truth is twisted faster than a pretzel at a state fair. It’s the kind of place where statements are made with the malicious intent of a cartoon villain, often lacking in substance and heavy on the mudslinging.

Then, on the flip side, you have serious parody and strongly value-based opinion writing, which is akin to a spirited rodeo of ideas. Serious parody is like that one uncle who imitates everyone at family reunions for laughs, but with a sharp wit that cuts to the core of societal follies. It’s all about donning the mask of another to make a point, often with a satirical edge sharp enough to slice through a hot butter of absurdities.

Strongly value-based opinion writing, meanwhile, is the stalwart knight at the round table of discourse, championing causes with the fervor of a preacher at a revival meeting. It’s where personal convictions stand tall, backed by the steel framework of facts and logical reasoning, aiming to persuade rather than to ridicule or defame.

So, if slanderous propaganda is the junk food of communication—cheap, unsatisfying, and ultimately bad for your health—

Serious parody and value-based opinion writing are the gourmet meals, carefully crafted to nourish the mind and perhaps even the soul.

One is a drive-thru of deceit, and the other, a banquet of brains.

And just like in the animal kingdom, while they may share the same ecosystem of expression, their nature and their impact on the audience are as different as chalk and cheese—or should I say, as different as crocodiles and alligators in a philosophical swamp. Remember, it’s all fun and games until someone loses a metaphor.

Meta descript: we must focus on our values in our writing and lives, without a solid footing in healthy values we will never create anything worthwhile.