Denise,

You don't like my website?


Mr. Maxey,

Thus far, the only graphic novel I've read with the Joker in it was Moore's Batman: The Killing Joke, which I have to say was quite good, albeit disappointingly short. I aim to eventually acquire Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth. The following quote has sold me on the idea of eventually acquiring it: "Oh, yes! Fill the churches with dirty thoughts! Introduce honesty to the White House! Write letters in dead languages to people you've never met! Paint filthy words on the foreheads of children! Burn your credit cards and wear high heels! Asylum doors stand open! Fill the suburbs with murder and rape! Divine madness! Let there be ecstacy, ecstacy in the streets! Laugh and the world laughs with you!"


Mr. NM,

You write, "Food for thought: is there a difference between anarchy and 'omni-archy' in a real society? I understand the theoretical difference, but in a completely anarchic system, 'omniarchy' is at least a constant threat."

We're under a constant threat, no matter what system we're under, for people to engage in ethically nihilistic behaviour. Let us look at The Dark Knight as a prime example of this. The Joker existed in a society ruled by a state, and yet this state was absolutely impotent to stop his many acts of aggression, his many creations of coercive hierarchy. (And, looking at all the corruption that had infiltrated the government-monopoly police force, should we be surprised?)

Having a state is no bulwark against omniarchy whatsoever.

So, you might as well ask, "Is there any difference between statism and 'omniarchy' in a real society?" I would certainly disagree with anyone who were to claim that anomie were not a prominant fixture of statism.

Anarchy, like any other system, will require (in order to sustain itself) what Jefferson called eternal vigilence or what Lord Acton called a revolution in permanence. The prime difference here between anarchy and other systems of government is that since anarchy does not institutionalise criminal aggression nor work to diminish or undo personal responsibility, it is better positioned to counteract acts of aggression, to ensure restitution is duely paid to victims, and to ensure that justice is served.


Best,
Alex Peak